The Press., 1884-08-21

punlSnaDle Dy law. It was an aWIul re- flection, and caused MT. Tempany to break into cold precipitation. The disa- greeable contingency however remote of finding himself in the dock, had the eff feet of spurring his imaginative and in ventive powers, so that, inspired by sheer desperation, he at length concocted story which he hoped might serve his purpose. The consequence was that when, ill the course of the next day, he received per emptory note from the widow, requesting him to call upon her immediately, he was able to keep the appointment with an out ward appearance of calm.
 ''Mr. Tempany, this is most extraordi- nary P said Mrs. Bramwell Jay, after a very cold greeting. 'sAmy has been here this morning, and find that the bracelet you presented to her is mine I gave it to you to take to the jewellers"
 Nonsense P exclaimed MT. Tempany, with well -feigned start of surprise. "It is impossible !' .a..a. a.
 impossible Why, here it is P said the widow, producing the ornament. "There can be no mistake about it. | will swear to it. Of course Amy returned it to me, and have lost no time in asking you for an explanation.
 What an odd circumstance-quite Judi crous I must speak to Bevis. He evi- dently gave me back your bracelet in mis- take for the one had bought" said MT. Tempany, speaking quickly and nervously.
 ''Who is, Bevis ?" inquired Mrs. Bram- well Jay. "Do you mean the jeweler in Sackville street ?''
 "Yes. I never opened the case after he handed it to me across the counter, but sent it direct to Mrs. Bullivant," explained MT. Tempany, gaining confidence. ''I recollect it was the same day that left your bracelet to be repaired. It is clear how the mistake arose."
 "Still, it seems extraordinary !" repeat ed the widow, evidently only half con- vinced. 'The jeweler must be very careless man, and deserves a good scold- ing Suppose we go at once and ask him what he means by it The carriage is at the door, and am dressed for my drive, as you see.''
 'Pray, don't trouble, Theodosia. IT really think you had better stay at home on cold day like this," cried MT. Tenn pany, with fearful eagerness. "I will call on Bevis at once-this instant-but there is no occasion for you to go."
 "Oh, I should like to go and shall enjoy the mans confusion" returned the lady, rather sharply. Besides, am curious to see the bracelet you have chosen for dear Amy"
 MT. Tempany was so utterly taken aback by this sudden and unexpected whim of Mrs. Bramwell Jays that he could not find another word to say. He followed his seat beside her, feeling like criminal being led to execution. This ill-timed wis., it to the jewellers must, he felt, inevitably complete his discontinue, for MT. Bevis would naturally deny all knowledge of the bracelet It really seemed as though the only course open to him was to confess everything on the spot to avoid needless exposure and disgrace. But MT. Tempany could not bring himself to acknowledge his deceit unless he were absolutely obliged, and during the drive he resolved as last chance to hurry into the shop alone, on pretense of inquiring if MT. Bevis were within, and take the opportunity to whisper word of warning in his ear No doubt the jeweler was open to bribe, and would make no difficulty about screening him. In his desperate state Mr. Tempany took heart at this idea, and even contrived to converse with the widow with apparent equanimity.
 But, alas his little scheme was frus- trated by the accidental circumstance of the coachman taking wrong turning, so that when the carriage stopped, the side on which the widow sat was nearest to the pavement. The footman, too, was unfor- tunately very smart youth, and descend ed from the box with such alacrity that the carriage door was open before MT. Tempany had recovered his surprise at having reached the jewellers. The oonse- quence was that the widow alighted first ,40 41>oe 1r1,1 11o pany, feeling that the fates were against him, and that he was pursued by relent- less Nemesis, followed after hee in state of despair.
 'Mr. Bevis, how came you to make such an extraordinary mistake? You are MT. Bevis, I presume? said the widow, approaching the counter.
 ''Yes, madam" said the jeweler, quiet tsi tsie ?" y"'ll you be 's"'sd' What mis-
 Mrs. Bramwell Jay explained with fatal precision, while MT, Tempany stood by bursting with desperate eagerness to put in warming word. By sheer force of will and mesmeric influence he succeeded in catching MT. Bevis's eye during the re- cital. Now MT. Bevis, the jeweler, was a shrewd little man, and a glance at the ag- onized expression on MT. Tempany's eager and bloodless face sufficed to put him on l the alert He knew the unhappy gentle man by sight, and also by reputation, and, though their transactions had been ex- tremely limited in extent, he had pretty we'll fathomed his character. He therefore guessed at once how the land lay and what was required of him, and though he made no sign, ghost of smile fickered for an instant about the corners of his mouth when the widow had finished and awaited his reply. ...
 "I am extremely sorry, madam" he an- swered with calm deliberation. s
 "It-it was very careless, MT, Tempany was emboldened to say, though his heart was beating fiercely.
 "Very." said the widow, emphatically, manifestly taken back. 'sI cannot inn agine how you could have done such 8 thing" ......-
 Mistakes will sometimes happen in the best-regulated establishments, said MT. Bevis. with humility, while MT. Tempany felt strong desire to evinee his gratitude by falling on his neck.
 "Where is the bracelet this gentleman purchased, then ?" inquired the widow, still in an incredulous tone.
 For an instant MT. Tempany's uneasi- ness revived, but Mr. Bevis was quite equal to the emergency. Without 8 mo ment's hesitation he turned round and T q T T. II. T