Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-07-26

family that one had ever heard Of; aud
this negative conclusion was all that |
could carry back to Pole at the end Of
ten days OF diligent research.
During this time | had seen Mrs.
wilkinson more than once, and can
not deny that the favorable impression
which she had made upon Inc at the
outset was increased by each visit that
| paid to her. was obliged to acquit
her of being an adventures her quiet
self.possession. her Inconsistencies Of
being watched, everything about her
made it impossible for any unpreju-
diced observer to think Of her as that.
If her position was not quite assured,
and if she desired to make it more so
by good marriage, her ambition was
surely a natural and pardonable
one. But | need hardly point
out that this made her all the
more dangerous. Pole, ] could see,
was wavering miserably. Common
sense, his duty to his children, and
horror Of family jars were drawing
him in one direction; Mrs. Wilkinson
and his inclinations were pulling hard
all in the other. One did not need to
be q conjuror to foretell which side
would get the best OF it in that tug of
war. And now, / suppose, may as
we'll confess what, under these circum-
stances, commended itself to me as the
best course for true friend to pursue.
What am going to say may sound a
little fatuous, but ] am sure that
those who know me will concede
that vanity is not one Of my de-
fects. / must explain that | had
called upon Mrs. Wilkinson several
times, that | had found her alone, and
had sat some time with her, and that
we had got on very well together-re-
msrkably well. Now. although | am
neither as rich, nor as good-loeking,
nor, it may be, as amiable as Pole, |
SIN still among those whom many la
dies are pleased to consider eligible
bachelors, and could not help fancy
ing that, as pis-diler, Mrs. Wilkinson
might be willing to substitute me for
the sutton Of whom | was resolved to
deprive her. | thought that when
she found out that Poles atten-
tions were BOT likely to have a
serious result land we know how soon
women discover these things, her first
wish would be to show him that she
had another string to her bow, and |
thought also that natural feeling Of
resentment would prompt her to dis
miss the old love Immediately on taking
up with the new. AS for me, | had no
fear Of falling into the snare out Of
which intended to drag my friend. |
am not susceptible like poor Pole; |
bear character for cautiousness which
believe that deserve; and | doubted
not but that, at the End of the season,
should be able to retire quietly, with
out having compromised either Mrs.
Wilkinson or myself.
| won't assert that Mrs. Wilkinson
exactly led me on, but she certainly
seemed to be very much pleased with
the various signs Of friendship which |
thought fit TO display toward her, and
responded to them almost eagerly. 1t
was not all pretence on my part; |
really liked her, and enjoyed listening
to her artless prattle. dare say she
humbugged me a little, but | think |
have already mentioned that | don't
mind being humbugged by pretty peo-
pie.
"Colonel Walmisley," she said to
me one day, will you do me great
kindness: Will you get me a place in
the ladies' gallery of the House of Com
mons for the day after tomorrow"
with the greatest Of pleasure" |
replied; "only am afraid you will
not be amused. There will be nothing
worth listening to the day after to-
row."
"0b !" she said, " but | thought
saw that you had given notice of ques-
ton for that day"
Iexplained that questions and de-
bates were two different things. Twas
not going to make a speech; and if |
were
"If yOs WERE" she interrupted, 81
should certainly manage to be present
by hook OF by crook. Why do you
speak SO worry, very seldom? But |
think. if you don't mind, should like
to be in the House the day after to-
morrow, all the same" And as She
said this she glanced up at me with a
sort Of timid look in her blue eyes,
which dare say | should have found
perilous if | had been younger man.
Since she made point Of it, did
as | was requested, and in due time she
had the satisfaction of hearing me ask
the Secretary of State for War whether
it was the case that the l24th, Tooth,
and 10th Regiments had only been
raised to the required strength for pro-
ceeding on foreign service by means of
reducing their respective linked bat
tslions to condition of practical non
existence, and whether it was proposed
to take measures, and if so, what mea-
sures, to put an end to state of things
calculated to convey false impression of
the numerical efficiency Of the standing
army. The right honorable gentleman,
who, think, is sometimes needlessly
curt in his replies, got up, grunted out
mo, SIR" and sat down again. On
being further pressed he said that his
answer referred to the first part Of the
question put by the honorable member
for Weehampton; the remainder, being
grounded upon mistaken assumption,
did not, he conceived, call for any re-
marks from him. Thereupon his col
leagues cheered-though | really don't
see what there was to cheer about
and the incident ended.
An ordinary, commonplace person
might have been disposed TO think that
l had been rather snubbed than other
wise, and might have RETAINED from
complimenting me upon the lucidity
with which | had expressed myself;
but not SO Mrs. Wilkinson, whose for
get-me-not blue eyes saw many things
that were hidden from duller mortals.
She had seen, for instance-so, at
least, she sherwapd assured me