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

all. O convert ~ n convert, anu i'n"
rine that there is Joy among the mis-
sionaries over more than one ex-Pagah
who has been brought into the fold by
other incentives than those Of pure con-
yiction.
Pole, who CHANGED to be present
when Mrs. Wilkinson made her new
profession Of faith, looked rather dis
gusted. "You never allowed me to
convince you that you had taken up
with the wrong side," he said, re-
proachfully.
"You never tried" she retorted.
- You only laughed at nae. and said
didn't know what was talking about
"Well, but that wasn't so far off the
truth, was it?"
~ am afraid it was very near the
truth, indeed; but there are some
truths which it is polite and polite to
ignore. Colonel Walmisley, you see,
was kind enough to treat me as if |
were rational being"
"And he has his reward" muttered
Pole, with as near an approach to Ill
temper as his nature was capable OF.
In truth, my friend showed little
gratitude for the trouble that | was
taking on his behalf. The next time
that we were alone together he assumed
so dissatisfied and moody an air that
thought had better come to some sort
of understanding with him. ! did not
deem it wise to reveal my plan
to him in all its crudity, but |
gave him a general idea Of what | was
about. sIt is for your sake. my dear
fellow" said ], that | am trying to
make myself agreeable to Mrs. Wilkin-
son. want to create a diversion. in
order to cover your retreat. and | be-
lieve | shall manage it if you don't
put spokes in my wheels"
He was so good as to say that he
supposed | meant well. - But is it
necessary to be $3.50 Internally agree
sble?" he asked.
replied that it was, and that hoped
be would eventually appreciate the
sacrifice that was making in giving up
my afternoon rubber of whist for the
sake of drinking tea daily with lady
Of whom did not happen to be en-
amored. | was not so unreasonable as
TO expect that he would thank me at
the time. No one likes to be cut out,
and was not OF all surprised to find
that his attentions TO Mrs. Wilkinson
increased after this, and kept step
with my own. There was no longer 80
much reason why he should not be at
tentiye to her if he liked. My impress
sion was that she had taken his measure,
and that she considered me far more
likely to make her an offer Of marriage
than he. She treated him very kindly
in the main, only every now and then
allowing herself little smiling, fcmi-
nine home-thrust. under which he
WINGED but il was for me that all her
| fayOrs were reserved.
never saw man more bewildered
than Pole was by this abrupt change of
front. Even |, who have long since
ceased to be astonished at the keenncSs
Of woman's vision, had hardly been pre-
pared for so speedy a success, and my
poor friend evidently could not make
head or tail oft. Sometimes he seem
cd inclined to accept the situation, and
would absent himself for two or three
days together. but he always came
back at the end of that time looking
like a school-boy who has been play
ing truant, and bearing in his hand. "a
a peace-ofiering, box of French bon
Ions, of which Mrs. Wilkinson was
excessively fond. 1t was after one OF
these periodical returns to his allegl-
ance that he invited us that is to say.
Mrs. Wilkinson. Miss Warde, and my
self-to dine with him quietly at Rich
mond. He remarked ingenuously that
he thought we all wanted something TO
raise our spirits a little.
II am not conscious Of being in low
spirits" Mrs. Wilkinson said " but !
should like very much to dine at Rich
mond, though | haven't that excuse.
only ! don't knows it quite the pro-
per thing to do? have lived so much
out of England that | am afraid have
forgotten what is permissible and what
isn't. Colonel Walmi,ley, would it be
right for ne to take Miss Wardc to an
entertainment in the suburbs with two
gentlemen? =
Perfectly right in the present in
stance" answered. 1t all depends
upon who the two gentlemen are" She
had taken lately to appealing to me in
this way, and really ! rather liked it.
| suppose that no man would find it
altogether Objectionable to be appointed
director Of charming woman's con-
science. and | was glad-(or Poles
sake-that she should thus openly
show how much importance she
attached to my good opinion.
For Poles sake. too, betOok myself
cheerfully to Richmond on the day
named. As a general thing, | don't
zee much fun in going such long way
for ones dinner; but when one has
made up ones mind to do good turn
to a friend, one must not stop at small
sacrifices. | say | accompanied my
friends to the Star and Garter with
smiling countenance, and as the dinner
proved fairly good and the evening was
a lovely one, may add that enjoyed
myself
To all appearance Mrs. Wilkinson
also enjoyed herself. As for the re-
naming two members Of the quartette,
they doubtless had their respective rea-
sons for looking somewhat sad. |
should have mentioned before this that
Miss Wardc had an admrer-a young
man of fortune, Seymour by name,
whom | often met at Mrs. Wilkinson's,
and who received a good deal Of
friendly encouragement from that lady.
The willingness Of Mr.. and Mrs. Warde
TO let their daughter appear through
whole season under the wing of
chance acquaintance was perhaps not
wholly unconnected with Mr.. Sey
mour's presence in London. BY an
oversight Pole had not asked him to
join our little party; and this, sup
pose, accounted for Miss Warde's grave