Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-05-16

from the STOCK Exchange, as thew talked
OF nothing else two or three riparian
young ladies', lively curate who sang
comic songs, and an elderly maiden rcln-
i've OF Buy ncs, who was popularity sup
posed to be well off.
AS he was introduced to TIE company
Mountford fairly shuddered He had
never seen any of the people before, aud
he had not the least inclination to regret
his loss. A trip up the river in such
company presaged a very torment of bore
dom, and he began to wish he had plead
Ell illness, in which case he would have
escaped the party and have had quiet
spin in n sculling boat by himself in the
afternoon. 1t was; therefore, with faint
sensation of relief he heard Baynes tell
the captain Of the launch to stop Mt King
ston to pick up some more people. Any
change, he reflected, must be for the bet
ter, aud he was curious to see Mrs. Binks.
AT Kingston accordingly he looked out
with considerable interest. The lady was
there, attended by very wel-turned-o out
footman, bearing rugs and other necessa-
RES. She was passably good-looking
and, to all appearance, not more than
hve-and-thirty so Mountford promptly
got introduced.
The steam launch proceeded on its
course, accompanied by the usual curses
OF boating and fishing men. The Stock
Exchange young men INDUCED in bois-
ferrous horse-play and violent Irritation
with the riparian young ladies the
Citrate, when he was not singing his
songs, devoted himself to the hostess !:
Baynes was occupied by the cares of hos
pltality, and Mountford was left in undis-
.,cA /
ton. He speedily found ont that her
special weakness was the question of So
clnl position, and consequently he chat
TED freely about the various titled indi.
viduals with whom he was in the habit of
associating. The widow was evidently
interested, and inquired about his own
people.
The Mountford. are a very old fami-
~, he said, with perfect truth, for De-
brett is terribly certain avenger of this
species of fasehoods. "rhe peerage be.
came extinct by the execution of the last
liueal descendant We have always been
loyal and Conservative"
| ION, yes" she sighed, call the best
people are"
"Bnks must have been a terrific cad e"
unused Mountford.
| Good family is great advantage, IN
spite OF what the Radicals say" she con
tnued. Now, neither my husbands
ifamlly nor my own are anything but bour-
geols, and Biuks is such II terrible name ~
Mrs. Bnks's French accent grated upon
Muuntford's sensitive ear, but he gallant
| ~ replied:
after all, family is nowhere compared
to PERSONA advantages and as for names.
| the rose would smell us sweet you
know"
The widow sighed, and was evidently
impressed.
In the course Of the day Mountford
made an ex client use of his opportuui
ties, and when the launch stopped at
Kingston to leave Mrs. Binks they parted
on the understanding that be was to call
at her house in Portman Square and re-
new the acquaintance at the earliest Oh.
portunity.
Mountford was as good as his word. He
called at Portman Square-in fact, be
called frequently. He also paid a visit to
Somerset House, aud inspected the will
Of the late Josiah Binks-the perusal of
which afforded him every satisfaction.
50 far rs he could see there was no yerv
formidable rival in the field There were
several CID friends of Mrs. Binkss hus-
band, who would have gladly consoled
his sorrowing relict, but none of them
found favor in her eyes. They were all
OF the city, and her aspirations were to-
wards the West She knew very few peo-
PIE IN her neighborhood, 30 Mountford
had many opportunities for private inter
views, which the widows companion. the
elderly and discreet Miss Bowser, was too
ast4te to interrupt by her presence.
Mountford had made up his mind to
propose, and was only waiting until de-
cent interval had elapsed since the begin
nlng ot their acquaintance in order to
take the plunge. He was in this frame of
mind, when one day, on entering the well
known mansion, he met couple of I'M
familiar figures descending the ample
staircase. The one was tall and meagre,
the other stout and short. The tall man
was evidently parson. and wore n some
what meek and downtrodden air: his
companion seemed busting and self-in-
portant. Mountford stood aside as they
LETT the house, and promptly Intercepted
the butler, whose good Offices he had
taken care to secure, as to the meaning of
this unwonted incursion. In answer, the
man handed him couple of cards. On
the one he read, Lord Slumly Fitz-
fudge = on the other, "Rev Septimus
Cruciform Curatc of s. Gemini, The
Docks, s. E."
The devil y murmured Mouptfor,i an
lie hurried up stairs.
The widow greeted him az usual with
much cordially.
81 have had two such interesting visit.
ors, Mr.. Mountford. Lord Slumly Fitz
fudge and Mr.. Cruciform. They have
been talking SO charmingly about the poor
creatures in the East End who have such
horrible places to live in, and nothing to
eat. really feel quite guilty in not 6av-
ing done anything for them with All nv
money. or course you know at least one
OF my visitors you who know every
body?"
81 think l have heard of Fitzfudge"
replied Mountford, who had very sis.
tlnct recollection OF that eminent noble.
mans name in connection with several ev-
iremely doubtful companies. "Bnt of
course they did not appeal in vain To vonr
generosity, Mrs. Binks?"
Il gave them all had, only glO but
| have promised to attend n meeting navt
week to discuss what we ought To do
Lady Sapphira Polkington is coming and
very lkel y the Duke Of Mewsford Will he
there. They all seem to be charming neo-
pie, concluded the widow with si1b
| Mountford looked ut her with some
thing like alarm. The prospect of asso.
eating with lord and of meeting a real
live duke, to say nothing of minor ner.
sonages, was evidently dazzling one for
the widow, But it was full of danger for
MOuntford's plans. Mr.. Crucform was
needy curate, Lord Sumly was bv no
means well OF, and was O. widower with
five unmarried daughters. The time had
come for action. ''''''
How long have | known you, Mrs
BlnksY he inquired in his most ipsinna,
ting manner. wa
| "AbOut tbrea MANTLE Ju;l