Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-09-05
MISUNDERSTANDING AT LADY
CLANJAMFRY'S.

1,
Colonel Lyndhurst and Mabel Darlington
had been engaged just twenty minutes by the
cupid-conducted clock on Mr.. Barrington's
drawing-room mantelpiece, when unfortunately
a subject cropped up about which they totally
disagreed.
How they came, at such q moment, to hit
upon this unlucky topic seems incredible, but
1t was one that interested them both in q diff
ferent fashion. They might, with safety and
unanimity, have discussed anything else in
the world without the slightest risk of falling
out, and have reserved the supernatural for
conversation after marriage, but the fates
willed otherwise. When Colonel Lyndhurst
said, .'Oh, nonsense! my dear GIRL" in a voice
which Mabel had seldom heard him use before,
1t was no wonder that she tossed her head
which for the purpose she was obliged to re-
move from the coloners shoulder.
But 1 assure you, Frederick" she began;
and the colonel interrupting her, a fierce argu-
ment ensued, neither of the lovers, or rather
combatants, listening to single word the
other brought forward.
IF we are to differ like this about one of the
most sacred, the most important"
Pooh, pooh, Mabel! If you are going to get so
excited about a wretched trifie-"
noinf a, we al are oO.n 81 Ine same MIND on one
hausntily, that we made grand mistake in
thinking we should ever make each other
happy. hope you will forget the unfortunate
incident of this afternoon as quickly as 1 mean
to do, and If any recollection remains IL will be
satisfaction that we discovered an incompati-
Glty OF temper in time. Good morning,
But, my dear Mabel, are you positively
going to sacrifice
Good morning, Colonel Lyndhurst" Miss
harrington had majestically rung the bell,
and said, "front door, James," TO the foot
man as eooily as if she had been dismissing a
put To leave her-which the poor colonel did
in an altogether Inundated fashion. He had
not even his hat TO shelter himself with, for
having come with purpose he had intention
ally and significantly deposited 1t in the hall,
on hearing that Mrs. Darlington had gone
down to Harrow Speeches, but Miss Barring
ton was at home and would receive him.
Alter vainly casting his eyes round the draw
ing-room and dashing wildly into one or two
likely corners, he remembered this trifling but
suggestive circumstance, and followed James
down stairs as described.
Bang! went tine hall door. James might
nave been suffering agOnies of unassuaged
piques from the way he slammed it, but in
reality he only felt that his fve-Oc clock toast
Was cooling below. Then the house was quiet,
ana Mabel harrington flung herself on the
sofa.
"How can he say there is nothing in it?" she
soooed. Why, I've felt it over and over
again, and this very day L was just thinking
about him, when the door opened and In he
came
proof of the disputed topic of thought read
Ing which might have convinced Colonel
Lyndhurst more than any better argument had
she only thought OF mentioning 1t before.
it be her mother returning? No, it was Fred
erick Lyndhurst's voice once more in parley at
the door; he must be coming back to retract all
he had said against her favOrite hobby; and,
hastily brushing aside her tears, she deter
mined that he should find her unmoved,
though inwardly not disinclined for reconcilia-
ton.
But alas, the front door slammed once again;
through the open windows she heard the foot
steps she had learned to know i'm the last few
weeks, hurriedly passing down the street, and
she was aware that now there was to be no re-
consultation between her lover and herself.
The fact was that the colonel, in passing the
hat stand in Mrs. Barrington's hall, in place of
his own glossy hat had seized a large and we'll
worn beaver, the property of the late Mr.. Bar
rington, which his widow always kept eri-
deace as precautionary measure against vaga-
bonds of all sorts, and it not till he half
way to the club, and James had cOntentedly
regained his tea tray, that the hapless lover
discovered his mistake. 1t was mOrtifying to
he obliged TO return; but it was impossible to
proceed in the head gear OF the late Mr.. Bar
rington, who had prided himself on q supposed
likeness TO john Bright and had dressed in sup
port of it. Hence Colonel Lyndhursts second
James, and his retreating footsteps The
household in Hans Place were to know him
no more.
"Whatever is the matter with Mabel?" asked
Tom harrington, the next time became up from
mother 9" saw rS So a9nS WIN ms
life Hasn't the affair with Lyndhurst come to
anything"
II don't know" sighed Mrs. harrington
weakly. "He was here the day went down to
Harrow with the Simplesons. Such dull day
we had of Ii. Tom! And had to sit with my
SmplesOn nor her sister can do So And they
were so dreadfully silly about their boys 1
wished had never consented to go at all, just
TO be bored TO death with conversation about
Algy and Alfy, and dragged up a hill like the
side of house, because of the horses
We'll, about Lyndhurst?" growled Tom, in
his
"Ah, to be sure. Well, he came and called
at least, so James said, and he Miss Bar
poor fathers hat instead of his own, and had
to return and change 1t. But Mabel had bad
headache when came in, and told me moth.
"Took that old hat, did hee That looks bad
must have looked bad, mean. Do you think
she refused him?
"My dear boy, how can I tell? You and
Mabel tell me so little about your affairs,
sometimes feel inclined to give up London life
lage, where at least can be OF use to some poor
old woman. / should be doing a little good
then at all events"
This WAS q favorite threat of Mrs, Barring
tons when annoyed.
Poor dear mother! I'm sure you're the life
and soul of dozen old women as it is, without
going 10 q country village to look for them.
Now, what Is it? 1 know you are vexed about
something"
..Only this troublesome affair of Mabel's,"
admitted the lady. who liked to be petted and
pitied by her handsome son, "and all sorts of
little worries. Why, that sister OF Mrs. Simple
son asked me how long Mabel had been out,
and If knew Lady Clanjamfry? And then
when l said yes, she asked If we were going to
the soiree on the 9th? l was obliged to say
We hadn't got our card yet; at which she pre-
tended to be quite concerned though she man.
aged to mention that 1t was only for intimate
friends"
poor mother? Point her out to me the next
time we meet at IN evening party, and I'll 60
for her skirts In my spurs!
But, Tom, suppose Lady Clanjamfry doesn't
ask us?"
"Wen dynamite Clanjamfry House Just as
Mrs. Simpsons carriage stops the way! Well
good bye mother; I'm dining with Chambers at
the club. and perhaps l shall be able to bring
you home news Of the colonel-see you at break
fast Good bye"
III.
"Lyndhursts gone off to Paris" said CAPTAIN
Tom Darlington next morning, laying down
the news in its pages, and glancing across at his
sister.
.'Ah! here it is at last" cried Mrs. harrington,
waving an envelope kiumphantly behind the
tea urn.
"What. from hime" Mabel calculated, Off her
guard II mean, at least, of course from her?'
seeing Toms eyes curiously regarding her.
her mother, needless of her daughters slip
Mrs. and Miss Darlington, Thursday. 9th
July, 10 o'clock. Thought reading? How de-
lightfulr'
"Ughv' shuddered Tom, resuming the Times,
but still covering his sisters face from behind
II. Don't ask me, do they? That's all right.
It's all humbug, you know; a put up thing; I've
lows TO stand, holding girls hands -"
TOM said his mother, much scaudaliZed