Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1879-07-18

this time, the sky blue, the air sott, and
not very cold; so, with light, rapid
step, she hurried along, pausing every
few minutes before some gay window,
and considering its contents as carefully
as if she really meant to buy them.
Just turning into the square, some
one said, Julia! don't cut me in that
direct way"
"Why, Charley, who ever thought of
seeing you here at this time of dayP l
have been buying gloves. Have you got
the ticketsP"
"I was just going up town to see
you"
Good boy! Now what is the mat
terP You ought to be cutting up the
world with pair of scissors in that den
of yours near City Hall. What are you
doing among decent people on Broad
way at three o'clock in the afternoonP"
"Well, something has happened"
"Oh, Charley! WhatP Is it nice?"
81 don't say it's bad, exactly"
"I'll tell you what; we'll go into
Bigot's and have some oysters, and you
shall tell me all about it. Have you
money enough, CharleyP"
Il have two dollars, Julia, and
would rather spend them in that way
than keep them"
"Of course. Besides, you would not
keep them anyway, and you might waste
them-and we are Just here. / declare
it is pleasant providence meeting you.
Shopping is such hungry work, a and i
was just thinking of oysters"
81 wish you had been thinking of me,
July; but you never do that"
n 11,r
do; but / can't afford to do it often, and
that's fact Dear me! how nice the
warmth is, and the fragrant smell Of
cake and things! l am afraid, Charley,
l am a little gourmand. Would you
respect me with such character?"
You know | like every fault you
have. think they are every one charm
ing
words had tone that set them quite
apart from the rest of the conversation
"Here are the oysters and coffee; now
make them bring some celery, and ther
tell me how you come to be taking lunch
with me at three o'clock in the after.
noon, and it not Sunday"
Il thought you were taking lunch
with me, July; but it is all the same
and if you had met me five minutes ear.
lier you would have seen the cause o
my holiday, He's regular swell, l tel
you-an English gentleman"
Now, Charley, you need not try. tc
impose on me. You've been collecting
bills, l guess"
Honor bright, July. l have beer
entertaining a very rich Englishman
and an M. P. at that"
"What is his name-or titleP"
lie has no title; he is only Mr.
Brookes at present, but he'll be o baro
net some day; and he brought the chic
letters from some of the biggest Londo1
editors. He is one of those statistica
gentlemen who want facts, and he's go
routolIlre--vvh orovor that ie.''
cit is in England, goosey."
every well, I've no objection; | onl,
wish he was there too. for-don't b.
angry July-I have to go to the oper;
with him tonight; he made me promise
and could not refuse"
"But you had a prior engagement will
me, sir, and | shall not release you, 81
don't imagine shall"
"Idon't want to be released; ; you know
that; but what am to do?"
"Why did you not tell him you had al
engagement with lady?"
q might go to his hotel, and tell hin
so yet"
Certainly, that is the proper thing t.
do. Where is he staying?"
AT the Fifth Avenue"
every well, we can walk together S
far; then you can have an interview
with this Mr. Brookes, and come an
tell me the result"
An hour afterward, as Julia sat in he
room, making her white satin ribbo
into bows, a servant entered and sale
GA gentleman, miss, in the parlor, to Sc
you"
She laid her bows carefully on the bee
covered them with clean handkerchie
and went down stairs. Charley stood o
the hearth-rug. looking into the blaz
with a perpleXed look. Julia went an
stood beside him.
"Well, sir?"
well, July, I saw Mr.. Brookes."
"Yesp"
II told him l had forgotten that ha
a prior engagement with lady, and thu
in America ladies always came first"
Every proper. | am glad you tol
him that. What did he say"
"That perhaps the lady would excuS
me-under the circumstances.
"No, sir, she won't. 1t is nation;
question now, Charley; the honor {
your countrywomen is in your hand
sir. And the circumstances what al
theyP"
His being a stranger-a very prom
nent stranger-and all that"
6 snap my fingers at the circun
stances He is u man, and rich mar
if he can't take care of himself, he ca
hire u policeman to go with him"
Charley laughed. July, you are to
pretty for anything. l have a gre
mind not to tell you the rest. | have
presentiment that am cutting my ow
notwithstanding my heart, | mean"
SEQ on, Charley; what did he sa
nextp"
He asked ifthe lady was my mother
Tie two looked at each other M
ment, and then went into a paroxys
of laughter. Julia recovered first.
"Oh, Charley, why could he not hay
said at once, Is she young and prctt
and are you in love with herP'-that
the way New Yorker would have p1
it,"
81 told him the lady was beautifr
bewildering, bewitching, brilliant mer
ber of the New York press, and that
burst not on any account offend her, f
: / did not know what terrible things 81
might write about me-"
Every good, indeed! What then
"He proposed to go with us. He sa
> he had no objections to the lady's cor
: pany"
% No objectionsr How kind of hir
Wellp"
! $50 I changed our tickets, and g
three seats together. He will be o
S guest, July; and treat him decentl
D dear. | think from what he says he
: curious abouu American women"