, 1872-03-28

an adjacent screen. The Baron de Bette
Fauve had arrived, and was being tri-
umphantly marched into the hall
The Baron Bobadil de Bete-Fauve,
when visible, proved to be a remarkably
small gentlemen, with intensely black
eyes and moustaches, the latter curling
fiercely up almost into the former; but
my own situation demanded all my at
tention. Withdraw I could not. To
sit down in that highly-attired society in
light blue overalls, such as might be
worn by stable-man, was not to be
thought of. All! an idea. Just within
the door, near the wall. but with space
to get behind it, stood the large screen
against which I had been pressed. Cap
turing a waiter, 1 drew him with me into
that friendly shelter.
"Here, help, my man. Can't get
back. Just let me slip off these con-
founded-hurry now -" easped.
and tore the buttons loose with tighten
ing speed.
"All right, SIR
The waiter was as quick as I, and
scarcely gave me time to disengage the
last button, before he caught away the
garment, and bundling it up, vanished
in the crowd.
"Eh! hillo! stop, you! Good Hea-
no-it's impossible! And yet-mercy
on us what shall do?
Ahorrible fact had revealed itself Tn
making up my hurried toilet, had ac
tually buttoned on my overalls-omit-
ting my black dress pantaloons!
A chill shot through me as realized
the full extent of the misadventure. I
staggered back family against the wall,
and endeavored to collectmyself. Clan
cling round the corners of the screen. 7
observed with shudder, that the COM
pany were taking their places, while the
ladies in the gallery had risen, en- masse,
and were directing SO concentrated
fire of eyes upon the entrance, where
the valiant lon-queller had paused to
return the salute that greeted him, that
to escape had been impossible. 1 must
remain where was, till able to concert
with some compassionate attendant a
plan of escape.
There was the settling murmur and
buzz. the Gentleman pray silence.
for grace! and the "Stand still, waiters!"
in voice of authority. Grace followed.
and the noise of feasting; but the next
ineligible words froze my very soul.
Remove that screenv'
Instinctively I clutched and held it
back. There came a violent tug; but
there was too much at stake for feeble
defence, and held on with desperate
tenacity.
"Quick. now, with that screen.' said
the voice of authority. "What's the
matter?"
There's gent, behind, a-'olding of
it back, said some officious BOBBY.
'Here-you !" 1 grasped. Five
shillinss! Ten! Twenty! Five pounds!
Fetch--brown overalls! Forgot trou
IS Let the screen alone, cantye?"
"Bless my cart, sir! Ere is gor'
said waiter. grinning but compassion
ate for he had recognized me, even thus.
"Take that thing out of the way"
roared the voice Of authority.
''Must do it, SIR" explained the
waiter.
'The heatables can't come by. stop!
There's vacant seat. 'Taint three
steps off" -
"That's mine," groaned.
SOW lucky! Now just you slip into
it as I shifts the screen, SOS to purtect
you. Tuck the table-kiver well into
your weskit, and nobody ii be the wiser.
One, two, three. Hoff you go!''
Off it was necessary to go for he
caught away my defences, but extended
the folding arms of the screen, SO as
nearly to touch the vacant seat In
that instant how I hardly knew, I found
myself fairly seated ut the board, the
friend who should have accompanied
me at my side.
You take it coolly, old fellow" re-
marked the latter. 81 fancied that at
these dinners punctuality-"
81 take it coolly, very coolly," I re-
piled. "And it is for your sake am
doing SO. May ask you to spare
me as much adjacent table cloth as is
compatible with your personal convent
ence ?''
"Table cloth Assuredly. But why?"
"There are reasons, hidden reasons.
But of that hereafter. A glass of wine?"
"My friend is agitated. His manly
fingers quiver. Something is amiss with
Charteris, " remarAed MY companion, id
the sepulchral tone he is given to use
when chatting those he loves.
Dicky Skelton, who never, so far as it
| is ascertained. had relative in the world
dressed always in the deepest mourning.
He never laughs, outwardly. He is