Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-05-31
When at the door he turned to his sister and


Con- Have roaring fire and sprinkle q lot of
perfume about. l will make him drink plenty
Of wine. Good night"
Samuel Jones was delighted to dine with the
Hon. Gus Trenchard, and the dinner was excel
lent. Constance was charming and smiled and
talked to him untilhe felt that he had never met
such nice girl before. '.She Is q stunuer
There is nothing like blood after ALL" he NUT
tered to himself All the time the valet kept his
glass well filled, and before dinner was over the
fair Constance had half her work done.
As she left the dining room her brother. who
was highly pleased opened the door for her to
& o out, and nodded in approval.
The two men now pulled their chairs around
the fire, and lighting their cigars talked in a de-
sultory way about things in general. Gus kept
Jones' glass filed. and told him many little
stories of Dukes and Duchesses and royal per-
sonages, talking OF them patrOniZingly, as if
they were his bosom friends and everyday COM
panions
They are queer lot. JONES' when you know
them well, as yOu will by and by" he said, yawn-
ing.
II have high respect for our old nobility"
Just so-all rich men have. By-the-by,
Jones, why don't you marry? You are not a
chicken, You know"
Il suppose shall some day, soon. am only
fOrty-two."
IL know such lot of nice girls continued
Gus. There are Lady Maude Otto. and Violet
Irenchard, and heap of other friends of Cons
dying for husbands"
"They would not have me- Gus"
You never know what woman will or will
not do. will ask Con to introduce you, if you
like"
NO, no. interrupted Jones, hurritdy ed
rather you said nothing to her about it; would,
indeed"
well, old man, just as you like Let US go
10 now and get her to sing
Constance had nice, soft voice. which was
perfectly trained, and, as Samuel Jones turned
over the leaves of the music and glanced down
at her wel!-developed figure he felt a choking
sensation in his throat, and swore mentally that
he would try all he knew" to make her the Hon.
Mrs. Jones.
The room was warm. the fire burned brightly
and the rOse-colored lamps threw soft. tender
light over her face. while the faint odor of per-
fumes mingled in Jones' brain with the fumes
of the good Burgundy which he had imbibed
freely. Constance sang love song after love
song; tender. Old-fashioned English ballads and
Jones thought she could never sing enough.
The Hon. Gus stood with his back to them and
his face to the fire, but he could see every ex-
preston on Jones face in the opposite mirror
She is playing him splendidiy," he muttered.-
"Egad she could bowl him over tonight if she
liked"
Jones was "bOwled OVER completely. and he
never felt so happy in his life as when Constance,
having finished singing, sat on the sota and
made room for him by her side.
They turned over the leaves of her album
together, and every second photograph was that
OF duke or q duchess
THAT is not bad likeness of the Princess.
She gave it to me herself" she said unblush-
ingly.
1t is very nice one indeed" replied Jones.
VINO had bought similar one for two shillings.
''She told me the same day" continued Con-
stance. .hesitatingly. but l forgot" and here
she stopped short.
II suppose it is a State secret 2"
NO, she answered, laughing. ri suppose
there is no harm in telling it, She said she
would come to my wedding, whoever | mar
ried."
Jones was struck dumb with astonshment
If she would marry him! Fancy the Princess at
his wedding. He looked at Constance and her
soft iangushing Chances set his blood on fire and
his brain in q whrl.
when shall you ask her to fulfill her
prOmise! he stammered.
some day, | suppose; but, Mr. Jones, how
stupid men are nowadays mean our set. |
Will never marry man who has not brains and
who does not work"
1T is wise decision" he said, softly, for he
knew liz had brains and he worked like "a horse
ION. Mr.. Jones. what q grand career a man
has open to him if he has talent Fancy being
merchant prince or Il gigantic Spectator on the
Stock EXCiIangeH
DO you really envy such men? May ven
ture to say that am pretty big man myself or
the Stock Exchange"
Constance looked at him in apparent astOnish-
STOCK
Exchange. Oh. Gus. fancy. Mr.. Jones is on
the Stock Exchange"
Gus. who had been listening to every word OF
the conversation, though making pretense to
sleep, started. but he only answered with IA
'umpb." and then fell back IN the arm chair
with closed eyes.
such frightful CUSTOM Mr.. Jones; fancy
he falls asleep every night after dinner. and
leaves poor me all alone"
Il wonder he has such bad taste" said
Jones. gallantly.
Vow, do tell me all about the Stock Ex
change and the bulls and the bears. Do YOU
really have wild animals there?'
NO. no.. he laughed, Though the men are
wild enough when they are 'cornered.' Bull
is vulgar expression for fellows who want to
force stock up, and bear for the lot who want
to force them down."
and yOu-are you bull or sbear?"
81 am neither at the moment, but shall be
SOON" w
You said you were big man on the Stock
Exchange" she murmured in a disappointed
voice, land adore great spectators ~
II have cleared G1O.000i in differences on set
Ting day before now. and expect to make q
coup OF twenty before the month is over
What are difercuces!" she asked in bewilder
ment.
The margin between the price buy or sell
at and the price the stock is at on settling day."
he explained.
''oh, this is delightful You must teach me
bank, but don't tell Gus. You must promise
me-"
Il won't tell him if you don't wish me to- but
] cannot do anything for you for a few DAYS.
The tact of it is, are arranging a snlendid
bull ring, and L will let you in with us, Miss
Irenchard. but no one must know it; j should
be ruined if it got out
"Oh. / will be so secret Do tell me when If
will all come off! Oh. this Is ciarming!"
81 will tell you before we operate" replied
gly int
do promise me thing: dine with us the
night before you operate, as you cali it. and
Will sing or do anything for you. Do promise.
won't youI"
Yes, with pleasure, said Jones. decisiyeIv.
oh, thanks. how good it is Of you! what can
do to repay you?"
"YOu could do a great deal he said sofY1v
"Canl? Do tell me what it is"
If Jones intended to propose he had M tinoe
now, for the Hon. Gus awoke that moment with
start, and, stretching his legs. exclaimed:
"Why believe have been asleep. Jones old
man. you must forgive me-"
Later on, standing under the rose-colored
lamps, Constance babe Jones good night and
as she did SO, she whispered, ''Recollect your
promise; write and tell me the day Won will
come to dine
As she said this she let her white hand rest in |
JOness, and he felt soft pressure. and certainly
saw. he thought, a look of unmistakable admIro
ton in her eyes as she looked at him, Gojnp
down the street he exclaimed: .!What a woman
for a wife! and the Princess at the weddiugi Rv
Jove, Will win her!''
Three days afterwards Constance received the
following letter: