The Van Buren press., 1869-06-22

Mrs. Dunuce. Iutfah' eh""She
lock my door, set all the ladies' maids at
defiance, snd throw myself tomorrow no
Mrs. Dundee for help and protection
with an ample confession and apology
for she must, at any rate, in a Few days
know the truth, and she will help me out
ofmy mess and out Of the house. !,
Good night, Lady Clonmell: GOOD
night, my dear Miss Fenwick; hope
you will sleep comfortably"
Ny conscience smote me, rs the kind
hearted, impulsiyo old Irish lady kissed
my forehead.
was alone in my bedroom; l had not
locked my door, because | was waiting
until the lady's maid had called and asked
if she could do anything more for me
or course, a decided peremptory No, !
thank you," would have been the answer
And there l sat with my elbows IN
most unladylkc manner on both my
knees, head filled with the most unmaiden
ly thoughts They were compromised o.
a semi prayer OF thaukfulncss to the pre-
siding genius Of luck for having pulled
me, us l thought quite through my
scrapc, and mixture OF doubt as to
whether | had better rust the hcathen
deity of Baccy, and smoke couple OF
cigars out of my open window, or ior
once in a way chew a bit Tobacco IN
some shape felt must have, to soothe
my excited nerves.
Z A knock at the door "Come in,' and
l added to myself: "lt is only that
bette nor of a lady's maid. will dismiss
her, and then hey for baccy." She did
come in, but not the lady's maid was she
Radiant with beauty, and exqusitely
charming dressing gown, with hair hang
ing down her back, there entered ayoun9
lady ! had been introduced to, and who
had rather taken my fancy, in the course
Of the evening Miss Evenlode
"What! Charles why, that was your
wife's maiden namcl'' calculated more
than one of the circle who were assem-
bled in the parsons study. !.
My wife looked shcepish; but went
on. Do not interrupt me; but hear me
ont. 40 dear Miss Fenwick," said Miss
Evenlodc, Il am so sorry 10 disturb you,
but you know what state OF confusion
the house is in, and find that somebody
else has got my bed room. l have been
undoinq my hair in aunt Clonmeiis q
room and now she has sent Inc here To
stay, with her love, that she hopes you
will allow me to share your chamber
She knows, Miss Fenwick, rs Mrs. Dun
dee told her, that you have always been
accustomed to be alone, and cannet bear
ANYBODY in the room: : but she hopes
that, under the circumstances OF the case,
YOU will excuse her request this time.
And we shall be so jolly together won't
we talk over our partners and quiz them
nicely!'
The girl spoke in a lively, natural man
ner, but did not particularly look at me
Had she done so, she must have noticed
that was almost choking-blaclI in the
face-going into a fit. Good Heavens
Miss Evenlode, | can't, shant, won't,
you must not, you ought not-O dear!
In the horrible embarrassment OF the mo-
mcnt, ! covered my eyes with my hands
Miss Evenlodc seemed struck dumb with
astonishmcnt. and no wonder. "You
must CO." said !; ; can't have you here. "
"Of course she replied, II will go
if you wish it, and tell my aunt, Lady
Clonwell. what you say; but ! have had
trouble to avoid being seen by those hor-
rible men that | must wait bit to sec il
the coast is clear. You see the men arc
very well in their way, and enjoy dane
ING with them, should not like to be
caught by them looking the sight am
now"
groaned audibly, and shivcred with
shame. | could not tell what was the
right thing to do. Another knock at the
door-no, not q knock, bump and al
entrance without PERMISSION. Enter Mrs
Dundee.
Il know what's the matter" said she
IL have known the secret all along
Miss Fenwick, pardon me, for the fix
have rather unwittingly led you into
Miss Evcnlodc. Miss Fenwick is mar
and gentleman" she added with EN-
phasis. AS for Miss Evenlode she seem
ed inclined to faint His being here il
this disguise" continued Mrs. Dundee
" has been brought about by chain o
circumstances quite unlocked for BY him
and not expected 10y me. lfyou viii
take my advice, Miss Evenlodc, you vii
come with me, and keep your own com
sci about this silly business. Nothin.
short of perfect silence will prevent awk
wardness to say the least of it, to any
body. Miss Fenwick, who is Mr.. Charles
Temple, will leave early to morrow with
me. | will stop my husbands mouth
You can tell Lady Clonmell to morrow
that when you came to Miss Fenwick
room you found it quite empty. Err
long part OF the story may come ont. |
your aunt thinks at all about it, she vii
think that Mr.. Temple was gentleman
and never even went into his room Mt all
but contrived to shit for himself else
where"
Miss Evenlodc fell in with the plan
which under the crcumstaLces,w was wis,
one. During the few moments that fol
lowed but one remark was made. Mis-
Evcnlodc," said, IL grievc thai
through my folly, for it deserves nc
harsher name, you should be in such
fix"
"Mr. Charles Temple" said she laugh
ing, " do not trouble yourself about me
am very sorry for you, for / think
yours is the biggest fix Of ALL"
The Miss Eyenlodc OF those days i
now my wife, and, rs Mrs. Charles Ten
nle. is at this moment sitting before you