National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-06-27
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SIZE WAS PRETTY.


II was Nortor's birthday. Most of you
know dear old .Sorion, who's In America
Just now, worse luck. His birthday falls
on the 9Th Of June, and we arranged TO dine
together ut the restaurant from which we
have Just come. II was o blazing day, and
the night Just Us hot as they make 'em.
was medical student then and awfully
hard at work, and right glad was when it
came time TO meet Norton and have dinner
You know how nice the Windsor looks in
the summer time with Its fountains and its
flowers. Well, | met Norton at z. The
place was awfully crowded and We had to
share our bower Of delight with two other
persons. However, we didn't much mind,
for the man looked gentleman and the
woman was pretty. Indeed she was almost
beautiful. She was rather tall, with boau-
tifully defined figure; the face was pale,
but not unheal thily so she had gray, quiet
eyes, in which TO look was really rest
don't remember at this tine how we got
into conversation, but We did, and very
pleasant conversation 1t was. We knew
and admired the same authors, we had boen
to the same places. They were good
enough to take wine with us quite In tue
old-fashioned way. My lady had on an
evening dress, which, while II revealed
about the best arms and shoulders 1t has
been my good luck to see, was hardly the
costume In which to dine ut a restaurant,
and that troubled me rather, because she
seemed to know what was proper. Norton
and were young then. There was no mad
thing Of which we We're not capable IN those
days, and now he is In America and l have
govt in my left hand, let YOU fellows laugh
as you win.
Well, II ended In our acquaintances ask
ing us If we would waive ceremony and go
round and take tea at their rooms. Their
rooms happened TO be close by the Wind
sor. didn't care much about going, but
saw that Norton, who had taken, perhaps,
one more glass OF champagne than was alb
solutely advisable, was rather hit-of course
by mere way of Irritation. So caved in,
and not with very much reluctance, either,
remember how warm we felt as we came
out Of the Windsor Our dinner acquaint-
anoe had given me his card, on which was
engraved j. Q. Brankstone. The address,
Is Great Russell street, had been added in
pencil. | walked with Brankstone, who
Kept me well entertained, while Norton
walked with the lady, who was doubtless
Brankstone's wife. Dear old Norton |!
You remember how very gracious he be-
comes under certain circumstances.
found Brankstone very intelli-
ant voice We walked together, Norton
and Mrs Brankstono going In front. l
suppose II was the unusual situation In
which found myself impaired something
Of magic TO that night, but London seemed
TO me q city Of enchantment, quite differ
ent from the work-a-day old place | knew
so we'll. There was n sense Of adventure I'm
the air. Arrived at home, we found our
selves in q modest but pleasantly furnished
apartment. The room was pervaded by a
perfume at once delicate and potent, which
suggested Mrs. Brankstone, though one
could hardly tell why.
"Doyoulike musicn she asked, throwing
her Ia and gloves aside.
We both responded in the affirmative.
"Then | will play to your she said, and
drifted into one of the most dreamy Of
Chopin's noctumes, one of those pieces so
| suggestive of water under moonlight.
BrankstOne explained to me that ms they
| were at present wandering about he had
warehoused his books, but he had with him
| two or three interesting volumes, which he
| produced for my inspection. 1t being
| thought too late to trouble the people OF
the house for tea, spirits were produced
Norton and gladly splitting a brandy and
soda.
"Im glad you like IT," said our host
"FOr my own part, ia as soon drinb
poison" and he filed his glass with wine
Mrs Branlstone accorded us permission t.
smoke, and things seemed to grow more
| dreamlike every moment The street Of
Great Russell Is quiet one, In whicl
small sounds assert themselves, and tina
night had for me strange significance
Thus the late knock Of the postman seemed
a thing of mystery, and the mutterngs o.
two men leaning against 4 lamp-post sug