, 1884-02-15
SHE LOVES AND LIES.


two ladies. One Of them at once decided on
leaving the hall II shall go back to tho
carriage" she said, Aand wait for you at the
door" Her friend answered. Il shan't Keep
you long. He is advertised TO support the
second resolution; / want to see him-and
that is ALL
An elderly gentlsman, seated at the end OF
a bench, rose and offered his place TO 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 resolution was pro
posed his seat would be at his own disposal
again She thanked him, and without fur
Their ceremony took his place. BE was pro-
vided with an opera-glass, which he more
than oncs offered TO her, when famous ora
tors appeared on the platform; abe made no
use of IL until a -speaker-known in the city
as a ship-owner-stsppsd forward TO support
the second resolution.
His name announced In the ADVERTISE
ments) was Ernest Lismore.
The moment he arose the Lady asked for
the opera-giAz. She kept II to her eyes
for such a length Of time, and with such
evident interest In Mr.. Linsmore, that
the curiosity Of her neighbors was aroused
Had h. anything TO say in which a lady
evidently a stranger 70 him) was person
ally Interested There was nothing in the
address that he delivered which appealed TO
the enthusiasm of women. He was undoubt-
edly a handsome man, whose appearancep pro-
claimed him to DO In the prime Of life-mid-
way, perhaps, between 80 and 40 years Of
age. But why a lady should persist In keep
ing an opera-glass aIed on him all through
his speech was q question which found the
general ingenuity at q loss for a reply.
Having returned the glass with an apology,
the lady ventured on putting a question
next. "Did it strike you, sir, that Mr..
Lasmore seemed to be out of spiritsf" the
asked
II can't say 1t did, ma'am-"
perhaps you noticed hat he left the plat
form the moment he had donef'
This betrayal of interest in the speaker did
not escape the notice of a lady seated on the
bench In front Before the old gentleman
could answer, she volunteered an explana-
ton. +. nifu.fE rN
al am afraid Mr.. Lismore is troubled by
anxieties connected with his business" she
said. my husband heard it reported In the
city yesterday that he was seriously en-
barrassed by the failure"
A loud burst Of applause made the end OF
the sentsncs inaudible. A famous member
Of parliament mad risen TO propose the third
resolution. The polite old man took his seat,
and the lady left the hall to join hsr friend.
HWell, Ms. Calender, has Mr.. Lismore
disappointed your
"Far from It'll But l AVE heard a report
about him which has alarmed me; he is said
to DO seriously troubled about money mat
tiers. How can / find out his address in the
cityf
ave can stop at the first stationer's shop
we pass, and ask to look at the directory.
Are you going to pay Mr.. Lismors a visitf"
II am going to think about it."
The next day a clerk entered Mr.. Lismore's
private room at the office and presented a
visiting card. Mrs. Calender had reflected,
and had arrived at a decision. Underneath
her name she had written these explanatory
words: "On important business"
aDoes she look as II she wanted money!
Mr.. Lismors inquired
"Oh, dear, mol She comes In her carriage
ais she young or oldf
"Old, SIR
To Mr.. Lismore-conscious of the disastrou.
influence occasionally exercised over busy
men by youth and b~eauty-this was a
recommendation In itsslf. He said: "Show
her In"
Observing the lady. as she approached him
with the momentAry curiosity Of a stranger,
he noticed that she still preserved tho re-
mains OF beauty, She had also escaped the
misfortune, common to persons at her lime
Of life, of becoming too fat. Even to a mans
eye her dress maker appeared to have made
tho most of that favorable circumstances.
Her figure had its defects concealed and its
remaining merits set of to advantage. At
the Same time she evidently held herself
above the common dsceptons by which some
women seek to conceal their age. She wore
her own gray hair. and her complexion bor-
the test of daylight. On entering the room
sha p,aI. hsr aroIooisa 18th 49, ok..
rasSment Being the embarrassment of a
stranger, land not OF a youthful Strangely
It failed to impress Mr.. Lisnors favorably.
u am afraid / have chosen an incon-
venient time for my visit, +" she began.
~ am at your service" he answered a lit
tie stifiy; especially IL you will be 30 kind
IN to mention your business with me in q
few words"
She was a woman Of some spirit, and that
reply reused her. II will mention it In one
word" she said smsrtly, my business Is
gratitude"
He was completely at a loss to understand
what she meant, and hs said so plainly.
Instead Of explaining herself she put a ques-
ton
"Do you remember the night OF the eleventh
OF March, between 5 and 8 years SINGER
He considered for a moment. NO." he
said. al don't remember it Excuse me, Mrs
Calender, 1 have affairs OF my own to attend
to which cause me some anxiety-"
Let me assist your memory, Mr.. Lismore,
and l win leave you TO your affairs On the
date thai / have referred to, you were on
your way TO the railway station at Bexmore,
TO catch the night express from the north to
London.
As a hint that his time was valuable the
ship-owner had hitherto remained standing.
He now took bis customary seat and began 10
listen with some interest. Mrs Calender had
produced her effect on him already.
alt was absolutely necessary" she pro-
ceeded. shat you should be on board your
ship in the London docks al Q o'clock the
next morning. II you had lost the express,
the vessel would have sailed without you"
The expression of his face began to change
to surprise. "Who told you thati" he asked.
@You shall hear directly. On your way
into the town your carriage was stopped by
an obstruction on the high road The people
Of Bermors were looking at = house on fire. "
you the ladyF'
1Gently, siri You suspected me just now Of
conclude that l am the lady until you hnd
out that l Am acquainted with the ciroum-
stances"
as there no excuse for my failing TO roo
ognize your Mr.. Lismors asked. @we were
on the dark side OF the burning house; you
were ~fainting, and l."
@And you,n she interrupted. after saving
me at the risk Of your own life, turned q deaf
car to my poor husbands entreaties when he
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