Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-10
THE RICHMOND DIsPATCH--SUNDAY. JANUARY 10. 1886

minute, II you please, ma'am. l broke
one of the claret glasses just now as !
was carrying the tray down stairs, and
/ couldn't rest until / told you. I'm
so very sorry, ma'am; l hope you
won't be angry with me-"
"Accidents will happen" | said,
sagely. sand now. Eliza, really
must 90. have left Mr.. Allardyce all
by himself"
"Shall light the gas in the draw
ing-room, ma'am?"
Why, no. It's not dark yet"
But when it is dark?"
Certainly" said.
found our guest standing in the
middle of the plate-room, with his
hands in his pockets, softly whistling
Nancy Lee."
81 must apologize for running away"
/ said, as ! began to lock up the press.
81 am sorry DR.. Lester has been called
away, also. II you can find your way
down to the drawing-room | will put
my keys away and follow you"
"Thank you very much for affording
me such q great pleasure" he said
courteously as be went out on to the
landing. He descended the stairs, as
locked the outer door of the press. AS
] did so / felt something craunch be-
meath nv feet. l picked it up, and
found it was a small piece of white
wax. did wonder for half minute
where it could have come from, as j
never carried candles into the pl"te-
room, which was lighted by
gas, and nobody but myself
had access to it. But the
matter passed from my mind as re-
Joined our visitor in the drawing-room
and Charlie came in. Eliza brought in
coffee, after which we had a little mu-
sic; and / could hardly believe Charlie
when he said that the time had come
for ordering the brougham to take our
guest to the station. Mr.. Allardyce
babe US friendly farewell, and was
most urgent in his desire that we should
visit lakewood before long. We pro-
missed to do so, and parted, delighted
with our visitor, whose pleasant man
ners had charmed us both.
A few days afterward received the
following letter:
LAKEWOOD VICARAGE,
Saturday, July 6. J
Dear Mrs. Lester l trust you and
DR.. Lester have not forgotten your
promise to come and visit US this sum-
mer. This glorious weather makes the
country especially enjoyable, and Mrs.
Allardyce and propose to give gar
den-party on Thursday next, at which
we should be very glad to have the
pleasure of your company. Some IA
nous local tennis-players have promised
to come, with whom your husband
ought to try his skill. In case DR..
Testers engagements should not per-
nit him to remain here for the night
there is a train for town at 9 P. NJ. We
trust you will come early, and we will
meet you at the station. With kind re-
CARDS / remain very sincerely yours,
WENTWORTH ALLARDYCE.
After some little discussion we agreed
to 90. but decided that it would be bet
ter not to stay all night. So | wrote a
rote to that effect and dispatched Eliza
with it to the post, telling her that Mr..
Allardyce had invited us to visit Oak
wood. and that we were going on Thurs
day. The good girl was delighted to
hear it.
On the morning Of Thursday my hus-
band started very early on his rounds,
while made an elaborate toilet in
honor Of the occasion, and by II o'clock
we bad reached Waterloo, and were in
The train for lakewood. The only other
person in the carriage was an elderly
clergyman, very gray and fraglle-look-
ing, but with a good, kind face. lie
asked me whether | liked the window
up or down; and from remarking on
the fine weather and one thing and an
other he and Charlie soon got into a con-
yersation. People always talk to
my husband when he is on
journey. | suppose his genial
face and manner attract them. AT all
events. never knew him travel any
distance without somebody entering in
to conversation with him. lie and the
clergyman began discussing politics and
sympathized most cordially, being both
ardent Conservatives. Then they talked
on general topics for few minutes, and
then rambled on to continental expert
ences. Our companion told us that he
had a living in Surrey, but that his
health had been so bad latterly that he
had been compelled to travel abroad
for three months, his duty being taken
by clerical friend meanwhile.
81 was in Manchester for many
years." he said. Il had very popu-
lous parish. and the work was so hard
that was glad to have the offer Of a
quiet country vicarage. But lakewood
lies so low and there are so many trees
that it is sadly unhealthy
Oakwood?" involuntarily asked.
eyes, lakewood, in Surrey, near
Guildford. Do you know the place."
1--WE are on our way there now" |
said, "to a garden party at the vicar
age."
"At the yicarage he repeated,
looking very much astonished.
Eyes. l suppose there are two
churches in the place-yours and an
other :"
"No, my dear madam, only one-St.
Paul's, Of which am the vicar"
never felt so puzzled in all my life,
and he locked equally bewildered.
But the vicar of lakewood is Mr..
Allardyce."
"My name is Wentworth Allardyce."
lie took up his travelling-bag and
showed me his name and address en-
grayed on a small silver plate. Charlie
and | exchanged glances. Our com
panion was evidently gentleman, and
we could not think of doubling his as
sertion. On the other hand, who was
the other charming Mr.. Allardyce!
"Haye you son OF any other rela-
tive Of the same nsme!" asked Charlie.
A young man with dark hair and par
ticularly agreeable manners?"
at h.ya M ob;Idran No wifa ha @