Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-06-25
cash or denosit. sir2n

"But [ could not think of allowing
you to payl" protested the lady, pro-
duclng Eer purse.
mot at all, not at all; we will set
tie later. No doubt you will be get
ting other things"
Thanks, it's so good of you. VIII
you have the things sent to the door,
please? I will take them away later"
Certainly, madame" and she be-
took herself to another department,
followed, of course, by Browne.
DO ycu know" she at length said,
''my husband has been ordered to
India and [ am to be left all alone in
London, where [ scarcely know q
soul. Isn't it terribIe?"
Brownies very heart melted be-
meath an appealing glance from her
lovely blue eyes.
Dear me how sad / can't under
stand his leaving you. I'd rather
resign my commission She looked
modestiy down.
II am afraid you men are such
fatterers. How dreadfully fast you
must think me for allowing you to
speak TO me like this. But | felt so
lonely!"
Mr.. Browne had already forgotten
that she herself was the first to open
the conversation.
MADAME, I could never have any
unworthy thought Of YOU" he fer
vently calculated.
They were then examining some
sunshades in the drapery department,
and the lady made several more pur-
chases on the same terms as before.
Presently Mr.. Browne proposed all
adjournment to the tea roon, and his
fair friend agreed, after some little
persuasion. Browne began to feel as if
he did not care if his wife was flirting
with Captain Cannon OF not. He
would show her that if she were in
capable Of appreciating his fascina-
tons there were other women who
possessed more discernment.
What can I get for you?' he in
CURED, ashley entered the refreshment
room.
"A cup Of tea, please"
Sure you won't have a glass of
sherry, or something of that sort 2
You look quite tired"
They are not allowed 10 sell wine
here. Very stupid, isn't it?"
And to do the fair unknown justice,
she seemed te regard the absence of
more potent fluids as very real de-
privation. So Browne ordered the tea,
and some stra W berries and cream, and,
selecting q corner table, was soon en-
gagged ia a most interesting converse
ton.
"Would you think me unpardona-
ably rude if [ ask your name?" he
presently said. mime is Ramsbury
Browne" he added, producing a
card.
Really! Do you know I am certain
have seen you before somewhere
Az Lady feddington's? No? Then it
must have been at Lord Cramleigh's
or Sir Croesus Nupkin's. I am Mrs
Harrington; my husband is IN the
Thirty third Lancers, you know"
I remember you perfectly, cried
Browne, enraptured, charmed to
renew your acquaintance in so de-
lghtful manner"
Browne had not the faintest recol
lection Of Mrs. Harrington, but he did
not like to own that he was not on
visiting terms with such exalted per>
sonages as Lady Teddington, Lord
Cramleigh, and Sir Croesus Nupkin.
They grew more and more conf
Dental, and the afternoon slipped
away imperceptibly-at all events to
Mr.. Browne,
'Might I ask to be allowed to
call?" he inquired, emboldened by the
lady's afability.
"Well, I suppose it's not at all
proper" she answered di ffdently,
'but I shall be very glad to see you
any Friday at $50 Curzon street"
"You may depend upon me-" said
Browne, as be noted down the adj
dress.
At this moment he happened to
raise his eyes, which he had hitherto
kept pretty constantly on his fair
companion, and the sight which raet
them caused cold shudder to run
down his back. At the next
table but one sat no less person
age than Mrs. Grewsex, his
mother-in-law, the only per-
son of whom he really stood in fear,
and beside her was his wife. The old
lady's eyes were fixed upon him with
stony glare Of horror, while a flush
of indignation lent additional beauty
to the face of Mrs Browne. They had
evidently been there for some Minis
utes, and must certainly have noticed
him writing down Mrs. Harting ton s
address. Brown vainly tried to per-
suade himself that he had done moth
ing TO be ashamed of-he writhed in
his chair and devoutly wished that
the floor would open and swallow
him up.
What is the natter" asked Mrs.
Harrington, sympathetically; you
look quite pale and agitated.
"Nothing," stammered the unfortu-
nate man; ''some people I did not
expect to see. Rather sudden, you
know. It startled me little"
Pray go and speak to them. Don't
let me detain you"
Well, if yon will excuse me enc