Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-01
MY WIFE's MOTHER.
CHAPTER I.

per. bOTn III u TeIlTeQ country village GILL;
grated at an early period OF my existence to
London. My FUNDS were moderate and my as
piratiODS large, but as | had no very definite
plans accepted the offer OF worthy uncle, who
agreed. II would find the means OF existence
during the time, TO pay all fees, and assist me
further with his ADVICE and connection in going
to the bar.
entered myself as an incipient barrister-at-
law, and then by great good luck obtaining
an engagement on a daily paper, prepared to
pass the years of my novitiate in study and hard
My duties were diurnal accordingly divided
my time into two parts, during. one OF which
devoted myself TO the examination OF my law
books the other to earning OF my livelihood.
had taken a room near Fleet street, but soon
found that after the country 1t was too confined.
Ihad been brought up where the green and pleas
ant fields greeted my eyes each morn, ana the
fragrant breath OF flowers agreeably aSSailed me
on rising, so that Fleet street for me had no
charms.
1t was in vain that men told me of its histori-
cal associations, OF Richard LOvelace, and Chat
terton, of Salsbury'S palace and the playhouse,
of Richal dson and Alsatia, OF Goldsmith and
Doctor johnson, and all the other celebrities
connected with this noisy locality. Iwould not
have given an acre OF meadow for all their muSty
"reminiscences; so took myself out OF town and
Scar, he'd for lodgings in merry ISlingtOn.
At all eS ents should be within reach OF green
feds. and 1 made wOndrouS resolutions as to
early rising, to enjoy rural walks, without which
should never be able, l was quite sure, to pre-
serve my heath.
Behold me- then, wandering through the streets
of that vast suburb, in search OF place where
TO find repose and opportunities of study.
neat, clean, pretty house. with a garden in
front, laCs and all that, attracted my attention,
and impelled by know not what mysterious at
traction pushed open the gate and entered.
Scarcely was my hand upon the knOcker OF the
door, when it opened suddenly. and woman in
cap and ribbons appeared with a bobblng
-CurtSy.
What do you please to want, sr?,
started. The woman was about forty-ive,
neat, priln, with rubcund face, and cold grey
eye that was particularly piercing; bit withal
met was so curt and SententiouS.
Il wish 10 find quiet lodgings" replied, in a
very mild and even timid tone.
She sternly asked me what rooms requlre1;
and discovering that my requirements extended
to drawing-room and bed-Ioom, her air be-
came bland and smiling, and with a second
curtsy, she showed me up stairs.
The drawing-room floor was that she offered
to me. entered its precincts with something
of a sensation OF awe. Everything was so neat
and Clean The muslin curtains were so purely
white, the chintZ Sofa-cover so Starched and
Stiff, with a general outline of old maidiShneSS,
Which ought 10 have alarmed me.
But ain OF peculiar temperament l can
never back out Had possessed wife or sister
should have said:
'The apartments suit me very WELL but must
let Mrs SO-and-So come and see them"
Should then have backed out, and appeared
no more.
Had possessed the courage to prevaricate l
should have Invented some such excuse ON the
spot, and have equally vanished.
But had not the courage, so quietly took out
sovereign, laid it on tie table, and in this
hasty manner, became Mrs. Graham's lodger.
then took my leave, after ordering tea at six,
at Which time announced my intention OF re-
turning with my things.
Once in the street breathed more freely. /
was beyond the influence OF one whom instinct
lively dreaded. Avague idea flashed across my
mind OF sacrificing the deposit, and seeking else
where; but besides the simple fact that could
not afford TO lose sovereign, my manhood was
indignant at the prospect OF fearing a woman.
And yet 1t had always been my weakness. II
ever stopped out late, or was behindhand with
my rent, or some fast friend made noise in my
room after hours, 1t was with absolute fear and
trembling next day faced the female Gorgon
whose undoubted right to find fault erected her
Into such alarming proportions in nay eyes.
Now, however, all was plain sailing. / had
paid my money in advance l was in possession
OF the best apartments in the house. and in con-
was determined not to allow my forebodings of
evil to alarm me.
CHAPTER IL
1t was six O'Clock. My portmanteau and car
pet-bag had been taken up stairs. had on my
way to the house purchased the necessary gro
ceries, which had been duly conveyed TO my
The fire burned cheerfully on the hearth, the
kettle steamed upon the hob, the candles were
lit, and had sunk into the cOSieSt of arm chairs,
when knock came to the door.
..Come in"
Enter landlGdy with many bows and courtsies,
after which she said
mn. Elton. pray is there anything 1 can do
Mary shall wait upon YOU"
gave some trivial orders and then when she
had left opened my box, took out some books and
papers, and AFTER ringing my bell, subsidized into
My door opened. 1 heard rus ing of female
dress; my tea was made, gentle voice told me
all was ready but so great was my abstraction
that raised not my eyes for some minutes. 1
was alone: NY tea was made, my toast buttered
10 turn as If by magic.
"What wonderful woman to be sure" 1
thought, and sat down to tea with zest and en-
a n ETlny MN For com
About an hour later when again absorbed in
my studies. gentle knock came to the door.
again said, Come in" and then, to my sur
prise, sylph-like form glided into the room.
1t was girl about sixteen, with rudy cheeks
Jet black eyes, long waving curlS that fell upon
a snow white collar, who, with some little hest-
tat1on OF manner. asked II she could clear away
tarily.
Il hope you liked your tea. SIR"
VERY much indeed Tell Mrs. Graham was
delighted. By the way, never heard her make
it."
81 made your tea, SIR"
had the greatest mind In the world to ask her
who she was. was sure she was no domestic
Her manners forbade the suspicion.
/ don't believe, never did and never shall, in
any sane man actually rushing headlong into
all the intr1cac1eS OF the tender passion In five
minutes; but do believe in a kind OF conscious
ness coming over man, a 1lutter OF the heart,
warning him TO fee in time or that he must
succumb. 1 was carried on by an Irresistible
attraction. For man OF my temper, l hit upon
one OF the boldest plans ever conceived by NOR
tai man.
sis Mrs Graham Within"
'YeS, sir"
snow. my dear. will you answer me a plain
and straightforward question:
certainly, SIR" the black eyes being opened
beyond their usual width.
Then does Mrs. Graham like a nice little cosy
supper" said.
i.SirI-
81 say does, or does not, the excellent Mrs.
Grahain-rtlict, suppose of the defunct Ora
ham-like suppers?"
.'She does. sir" said the damSel, smiling.
''Mary,' in a sharp and somewhat peremptory
tone from down stairs,
''Mary-Wel, tell Mrs. Graham want her.
said, with amazed vOlubilfty.
Mary, still smiling, and evidently much
amazed, went to the door, and whispering some
thing over the banlsters, my new landIady soon
sailed into the room with her original Suayity
and the usual phrase:
what do You please TO want, sir?"
my dear madam" said, ''behold in me a
forl0rn stranger In London, an unfortunate
bachelor"-Mrs- Graham simpered, Mary smiled
who having no engagement this evening, is
painfully condemned 10 spend his first night
alone In his new lodgings Madam, / have TO
ask you faVor-wtll you sup with me?"
'.SirI"
81 say, my dear madam will you sup with
meg" continued, while Mrs. Graham INDUCED
in vacant stare
s.TOhsfar pyStar celarr opd stout pothipoy