Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-02-10
SHELOVES ANDLIES.
BY WILKIE COLLINS.

Late in the autumn, not many years
! since, a public meeting was held at the
| Mansion House, London, under the direc.
| ton of the Lord Mayor.
The list of gentlemen invited to address
the audience had been chosen with two
objects in view. Speakers OF celebrity
who would rouse public enthusiasm, were
| supported by speakers connected with
commerce., who would be practically use.
ful in explaining the purpose for which
the meeting was convened. Money wisely
spent in advertising had produced the
customary result-every seat was Occu-
pied before the proceedings began.
Among the late arrivals, who had nc
choice but TO stand or leave the hall, were
two ladies'. One Of them at once decided
on leaving the hall. Il shall 20 back to
the carriage" she said, "and wait for you
at the door" Her friend answered, 81
shant keep you long. lie is advertised
to support the second resolution; | want
TO see him-and that is ALL"
An elderly gentleman, seated at the end
of a bench, rose and offered his place tC
the lady who remained. She hesitated to
take advantage of his kindness until he
reminded her that he had heard what she
said TO her friend. Before the third reso-
luton was proposed his seat would be at
his own disposal again. She thanked him
place. He was provided with an opera
glass, which he more than once offered to
her when famous orators appeared on the
platform: she made no use of it until a
speakcr-knoWn in the city as a ship
owner stepped forward 10 support the
second resolution.
His name announced in the advertise
mcnts) was Ernest LIsmOre.
The moment he arose the lady asked for
In She Lnnt a bpr
for such length of time, and with such
evident interest in Mr.. Lsmore, that the
curiosity of her neghbors was aroused.
Had he anything 10 say in which lady
(eyidently a stranger to him) was per-
sOnally interestedy There was nothing in
the address that he delivered which APP
pealed to the enthusiasm of women. He
was undoubtedly IA handsome man, whose
appearance proclaimed him to be in the
prime of life-midway, perhaps, between
80 and 40 years of age. But why lady
should persist in keeping an opera glass
fixed on HIM all through his speech was a
question which found the general ingenu-
ity at n loss for reply.
Having returned the glass with an apol-
Ogy, the lady Ventured on putting qJcs-
tion next. Did it strike YOU, sir, that
Mr.. Lsmorc seemed TO be out Of spirits?'
she asked.
II can't say it did, ma'am."
perhaps YOU noticed that he left the
platform the moment he had doney"
This betrayal OF Interest in the speaker
did not escape tie notice Of a lady seated
on the bench IN front. Before the old gem
tleman could answer she volunteered an
explanation.
II am afraid Mr.. Lismore is troubled by
anXieties connected with his business, -
she said. "My husband heard il reported
in the city yesterday that he was seriously
embarrassed 10y the failure
A loud burst OF applause made the end
of the sentence inaudible. 4 famous
member Of Parliament had risen TO pro-
pose the third resolution. The polite old
man took his seat and the lady lett the
hall to JOIN her friend
'Wel. Mrs. Calender, has Mr.. Lismore
disappointed your
Far from i'll But l have heard a re-
port about him which has alarmed me
he is said 10 be seriously troubled about
money matters. How can | find out his
address in the cityY
1--WE can stop at the first stationer's
shop we pass and ask To look at the di-
rectory. Are you going to pay Mr.. Lis
more Visity'
Il am going to think about it,