Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-10-07

An English Story.

the lady regarded his attentions as quite se-
rious. For some time past he had been growing
uneasy at Mrs. Hambletons highly fiattering
demeanOr towards him. When he renewed &C
quaintance with the woman who had Tilted him
many years before, he had no thought of drift
ing into dangerous Irritation. The truth was
that the seven years which had elapsed since
they parted had completely cured Frank Duns-
muir OF his boyish infatuation. Upon his return
to England with his regiment he had almost
forgotten Byzantine Maine. or could hardly re-
alize that the stock brokers' wife, whom he &C
cidentally met at a garden party, was the d-
vinity whose f1ckleness had cast q gloom over
his youthful existence. Yet Mrs. Hambeton
still retained her beauty, though she had lost
the freshness Of girlhOod and young Dunsmuir
could not resist paying her the attentions she
assiduously cOurted. But he perceived she was
a foolish. frivolous woman, weak and impulslve,
greedy OF admiration, and not Overburdened
with intelligence.
Mrs. Hambleton seemed bent upon regaining
her ascendancy over her old lover. 1t may be
that his handsome face and figure inspired her
with genuine admiration. She certainly used
all her powers of fascination to keep him by her
side, and Dunsmuir yielded, partly from fatal
good nature and partly from gratified vanity.
But mis- regard for Mrs. Hambleton was of very
lukewarm character. and consequently he was
not Oblivious of the dictates of prudence and
prOpriety. When the jealous husband scowled
at him. he felt honestly ashamed of himself, and
Mrs. Hambletons foolish letter-written evil
IDENTIFY after domestic scene-only fastened
resolve which he had long ago formed in his
mind to put an end to this equiyocal state of
affairs.
Dunsmur, therefore, consigned the letter to
the flames, and told his man to pack up his
things Immediately. His first impulse was to
write to Mrs. HambletOn and formally break off
their acquaintance. From such an extreme
course, however, his chfvalrous feelings not I'M
naturally revOlted, while prudence suggested
that it would be unwise to commit himself by
sending sentimental farewell. Upon the
whole, he thought it best to take his departure
without attempting to offer any explanation,
and leave the lady to draw her own conclusions
At the last moment, however. brother officer
looked In at his rooms, and mentioned incden-
tally that he was going to call upon Mrs. Ham
bletOn.
"By-the-by I wish you would leave a card
for me. old fellow, and tell Mrs. Hambleton
Eve gone fishing in North Wales" said Duns-
muir.
Very WELL" replied his friend; and Dunsmuir
started Off on his expedition without thinking
any more of the matter. He took up his quar-
tiers at quiet inn in the neighborhOOd of Snow
dOn and devoted himself to the pursuit of his
favOrite pastime. Frank Dunsmuir was an en-
thusiastic fisherman, and thought nothing of
sacrificing his nights rest to the prospect Of
sport. He would camp out In primitive fash
ion, regardless of heavy dews or falling rains in
order to be ready. rod i'm hand at the scene of
action when the first streak Of dawn appeared
on the horizon. 1t was after one of these occa-
slons, when his zeal had been rewarded by
highly Satisfactory take of fish, that he was met
on his return to the inn about nine O'Clock in
the morning by the landlay, whose face bore an
OminOus expression.
IF you please, sir, lady have arrived" said
the buXOm hostess.
"A lady! Did she ask for me, Mrs. Roberts?"
exclaimed Dunsmuir. in amazement.
''Yes. sir. She came by the night mail from
London, and arrived quite early this morning
But she won't take bit nor sup nor rest till she
have seen you" said the landlady, whose glance
denoted grave displeasure. 'She is waiting in
the coffee room, more dead than alive"
Dunsmuir entered the apartment indicated,
more puzzled and curious than apprehensive, and
to his CONSERVATION, found himself face to face
with Mrs. Hambleton. The poor lady looked
distressed and weary, and at the sight of Duns-
muir's grave face broke out into eager protesta-
tions. - --.-.-5f
You wished me to come, Frank! Don't say
you did not! / understood your meaning when
you had gone. My husbands conduct has driven
Of myself"
'Confound Marshall" Dunsmuir exclaimed in
wardly. II did not tell him to mention any ad-
dress. Here is a duce of pickle!"
But before he had time for further reflections
his visitor gave way to violent Mysteries which
rendered 1t necessary to summon the landlady
1t was sometime before Mrs. HambetOn recOv-
cred her senses. and she was then so exhausted
tnat Mrs. Roberts Indignation gave way to
womanly sympathy. Dunsmuir was much
moved by the unfortunate lady's Distress from
which he rightly guessed that she had already
repented OF the fatal step she had taken. That
she had blindly followed a rash and foolish i'm
pulse in consequence of some disagreement with
her husband was as apparent as the feeling of
shame and humiliation which evidently over
whemed her.
Dunsmuir assisted In removing Mrs. Handle
ton to the landlady's own room. and then began
to think seriously what was to be done. To de-
wise some means of saving the foolish lady rep
utatiOn was naturally his chief anxiety, espe-
cialy as he felt in a measure responsible for
what had occurred. His first idea was to send
her back to town by the next train; but unfOrtu-
nately, Mrs. HambletOn was not in fit state to
travel. and, besides, this expedent seemed
somewhat clumsy and unsatisfactory. After
further reflection, he resolved upon another
course, which he impaired to the landlady at
the earliest opportunity.
Mrs. Roberts, there has been an unfortunate
misunderstanding" he said. ''The poor lady
up stairs has evidently had disagreement with
her husband. and came here expecting to find
my married sister. who is an old schOOlfellow of
hers. | am going to telegraph for my sister
immediately, and shall return to town to relieve
the mind of the lady's husband"
Very well, SIR" returned the landlady, no
doubt comprehending the true state of the case,
and approving of her guests laudable inten-
tions. Then 1 am to keep the lady here till
your sister comes"
Most certainly" said Dunsmuir "Don't let
ner leave auy account -
He fastened to the nearest telegraph office
and dispatched the following message to his
sister:
BE prepared to come here by to-nipht's
mail. Shall return to town and try to see you
before you start, to explain. In any case, come
He had meanwhile sent his luggage on to the
station, and was fortunate enough to catch a
train which was just starting for B. So
far therefore, his scheme had prospered. At
the junction he hoped to be In time for the
morning express, which stopped there. and then
went straight to London. He arrived lust as
the express was due, but the first person he saw
on alightlng from the train was Mrs. Handle
tons husband
Dunsmuir was very much staggered by this un-
expected meeting. Mr.. Hambleton had evil
IDENTIFY obtained clue to his wife's destination.
and had fOllOWpd In NV ho rl,,