The Portland daily press., 1884-06-23

TO surprise. who told you that"' he
asked.
"You shall hear directly. On your way
into the town your carriage was stopped by
an obstruction on the high road. The peo-
pie OF Bexmore were looking at house on
fire."
He started to his feet. "Good heavens !!
are you the lady?"
She held up her hand in satirical protest
Gently, sir! You suspected me just now
of wasting your valuable time. Don't rash
ly conclude that l am the lady, until you
find that am acquainted with the circum-
stances"
SIS there no excuse for my failing
to recognize you?" Mr.. Lismore asked.
I'VE were on the dark side of the burning
house; you were fainting, and I-'
And you" she interposed, "after saving
me at the risk of your own life, turned a
deaf ear to my poor husbands entreaties,
when he asked you to wait till had recov-
cred my Senses"
You poor husband? Surely, Mrs. CAL
lender, he received no serious injury from
the fire?'
The tiremen rescued him under circum-
stances of peril,'' she answered, ''and at his
great age he sank under the shock. l have
lost the kindest and best of men. Do you
remember how you parted from him-burnt
and bruised in saving me? He liked to talk
of it in his last illness. AT least (he said
to you) tell me the name OF the man who
has preserved my wife from dreadful
DEATH You threw your card to him out of
the carriage window, and away you went at
gallop to catch your train! In all the
years that have passed have kept that card,
and have vainly inquired for my brave sea-
captain. Yesterday l saw your name on
the list of speakers at the mansion. Need [
say that / attended the meeting? Need
tell you now why come here and interrupt
you in business hoursr'
She held out her hand Mr.. Lismore took
it in silence, and pressed it warmly.
You have not done with me yet" she re-
sumed with smile. "Do you remember
what said Of my errand when first came
in?'
"You said it was an errand of gratitude"
Something more than the gratitude
which only says Thank you,'" she added.
Before | explain myself. however, 1 want
to know what you have been doing. and
how it was that my inquiries failed to trace
you after that terrible night"
The appearance of depression which Mrs.
Calender had noticed at the public meeting
showed itself again in Mr.. Lismore's face.
He sighed as he answered her:
"My story has one merit" he said; cit is
soon told. | cannot wonder that you failed
to discover me. In the first place, I was not
captain of my ship at that time; I was only
mate. In the second place inherited some
money and ceased to lead sailors life, in
less than year from the night of the fire.
You will now understand what obstacles
were in the way of your tracing me. With
my little capital / started successfully in
business as a ship-owner. At that time
naturally congratulated myself on my owD
good fortune. We little know, Mrs. Callen-
der, what fortune has in store for u.s.
He stopped. His handsome features
hardened-as if he was suffering land con-
cealing) pain. Before it was possible to
speak to him there was a knock at the door.
Another visitor without an appointment,
had called; the clerk appeared again, with
card and message.
"The gentleman begs you will see him,
sir. He has something to tell you which is
too important to be delayed"
Hearing the message, Mrs. Calender rose
Immediately.
SIT is enough for to-day that we under
stand each other," she said. "Have you
any engagement tomorrow after the hours
of business?"
"None.''
She pointed to her card on the writing
table. "Will you come to me tomorrow
evening at that address? am like the gen
tleman who has just called; too have my
reason for wishing to see you.'
He gladly accepted the invitation. Mrs.
Calender stopped him as he opened the
door for her.
''Shall offend you," she said, elf l ask
strange question before 60? have bet
ter motive, mind, than mere curiosity.
Are you married?'
Ono"
''Forgive me again. she resumed. cat
my age you cannot possibly misunderstood
me; and vet"
She hesitated. Mr.. Linsmore tried to
give her confidence. spray don't stand on
ceremony, Mrs. Calender. Nothing that
you can ask me need be prefaced by an
apology"
Thus encouraged, she ventured to pro-
coed.
"You may be engaged to be married?'
she suggested. "Or you may be in lover"
He found it impossible to conceal his sur
prise. But he answered without hesita-
ton:
'There is no such bright prospect in my
life" he said. 81 am not even in love-"
She left him with lutte sigh. 1t sound
ed like sigh of relief.
Ernest Lismore was thoroughly puzzled.
What could be the old ladys object in as
certaining that he was still free from mat
rimonial engagement? If the idea had oc-
Cured to him in time he might have alluded
to her domestic life, aud might have asked
if she had children. With little tact he
might have discovered more than this. She
had described her feeling toward him as
passing the ordinary limits of gratitude and
she was evidently rich enough to be above
the imputation OF a mercenary motive Did
she propose to brighten those dreary pros
pecss to which he had alluded in speaking
OF his own life2 When he presented him
self at her house the next evening, would
she introduce him to charming daughter?
He smiled as the idea occurred to him.
IAN appropriate time to be thinking of nv
chance of marriagep' he said TO himself.
'In another month | may be ruined man.
III.
The gentleman who had so urgently re-
quested an interv lew was devoted friend
who had obtained means of helping Ern-
est at a serious crisis in his affairs
1t had been truly reported that he was in
position OF pecuniary embarrassment,
owing to the failure of mercantile house
with which he had been intimately connect
ed. Whispers affecting bis own solvency
had followed on the bankruptcy of the firm.
He had already endeavored to obtain adj
Vances OF money on the usual conditions,
aud had been met by excuses for delay. His
friend had now arrived with letter of in
PRODUCTION to capitalist, well known in
commercial circles for his daring specula-
tions and for his great wealth.
Looking at the letter, Ernest observed
that the envelope was sealed. In spite of
hot