Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-07-24
III LOVES AND LIES
CHAPTER I,


- d me autumn, not many years since,
- London, under the direction Of the
~ mayor.
{ ne List OF gentlemen invited TO address
~ audlsnce had been chosen with two op-
5oees In view. Speakers Of celebrity, VINO
would rouse public enthusiasm, we're sup
ror>od BY speakers connected with commerce
Vho who would bs practically useful In ex-
raaanlns the purpose for which the meeting |
%0o Conveued. Money wisely spent In ad-
n,s I ~as Sssope shs re-
~ tSs late arrivals, who had no choice
be1 8 sl6nd or to leave the hall, were two
1o1loA One Of them at once decided on
q iSsing the hall. "I shall 60 back to the
6oFx1aee,r she said, ''and wait for you at the
snoor." Her friend answered, IL shan't keep
Z you long. He 10 advertised to support the
second resolution; want to see him and that
An elderly gentleman, seated at the end of
bench, rose and offered his place to the
lady who remained. She hesitated to take
advantage Of his kindness, until he remind
Cd her that he had heard what she said to
her frisnd. Before the third resolution was
proposed his seat would be at his own dispo-
al again. She thanked him, and without
further ceremony took his place he was
provided with an opera-glass, which he more
appeared on the platform she made no use
Of Il until speaker known in the city as a
shlp-owner stepped forward to support the
second resolution.
HIS name (announced in the advertise
ment) was Ernest Lismore.
The moment he arose the lady asked for the
opera-glass. She kept 1t to her eyes for such
alength Of time, and with such evident in
terest in Mr.. Lismore, that the curiosity of
her neighbors was aroused. Had he any
thug to say in which a lady evidently a
stranger to hiin) was personally interested
There was nothing in The address that he de-
livered which appealed to the enthusiasm of
women. He was undoubtedly handsome
man whose appearance proclaimed him to be
in the prime OF life, midway perhaps between
thirty and forty years OF age. But why a
lady should persist in keeping an opera
glass fixed on him all through his speech
was question which found the general in
genuity at loss for reply.
Having returned the glass with an apology
the lady ventured on putting a question
next "Did 1t strike you, sir, that Mr.. Lis.
more seemed to be out of spirits ?" she
asked.
"Can't say it did, ma'am."
"Perhaps you noticed that he left the plat
form the moment he had done? pr.
This betrayal of interest in the speaker did
not escape the notice of a lady, seated on the
bench in front Before the old gentleman
could answer, she volunteered an explans
ton.
81 am afraid Mr.. Lismore is troubled by
anxieties connected with his business" )" sh
said. "My husband heard it reported in tn
city yesterday that he was seriously embai
rassed by the failure"
A loud burst of applause made the end
the sentence inaudible. A famous membe
OF Parliament had risen to propose the thir
resolution. The polite old man took hi
seat, and the lady left the hall to join he
friend.
Nsr VoIia 4
disappointed you?'
''Far from IL but have heard a repor
about him which has alarmed me he /
SAID to be seriously troubled about none
mstters How can l find out his address /
the city?''
eve can stop at the first stationer's sho
we pass, and ask to look at the director,
Are you going to pay Mr.. Lismore visit ?
81 am going to think about it,"
CHAPTER IL.
The next day a clerk entered Mr.. Lii
more's private room at the office, and pr
sented visiting card. Mrs. Calender ha
reflected, and had arrived at a decision. III
derneath hel name she had written the.
explanatory words: "On important bus
ness"
"Does she look as If she wanted money
Mr.. Lismore inquired.
"Oh dear, no; she comes in her carriage
ais she young or old '''
sold, SIR"
To Mr.. Lismore, conscious of the disastro,
influence occasionally exercised over bus
men by youth and beauty, this was a recon
mendation in ITSELF He said, '.Show HI
in."
Observing the lady, as she approached hir
with the momentary curiosity of a strange
he noticed that she still preserved the I
mains of beauty. She had also escaped Il
misfortune, common to persons at her tin
OF life, OF becoming too fat Even to man
eye, her dressmaker appeared to have mac
the most Of that favorable Circumstance
Her figure had its defects concealed, and II
remaining merits set of to advantage.
the same time she evidently held herse
above the common deceptions by whic
some women seek to conceal their age sh
wore her own gray hair and her compile,
ion bore the test OF daylight. On entering tn
room she made her apologies with some en-
barrassment Being the embarrassment of
stranger (and not OF a youthful stranger)
failed to impress Mr.. Lismore favorably
81 am afraid have chosen an inconven
ent time for my visit" she began.
~ am at your SERVICE" he answered
little stiffly ; especially If you will be
kind as to mention your business with N
in q few words"
She wasa woman of some spirit, and ths
reply reused her. 81 will mention it in on
gratitude"
He was completely at a loss to understan
what she meant and he said so plainly
instead OF explaining herself, she put que.
"Do you remember the night of the el.
since ?"
He considered for a moment "No," h
SAID, ~ don't remember it. Excuse mt
Mrs. Calender, have affairs OF nv own I
attend to which cause me much an xiety-r
"Let me assist your memory, Mr. Lismort
ana will leave you to your affairs On tb
date that have referred to you were on you
way 10 the railway station at Bexmore, Z
catch tho night ha ,
London"
As hint that his time was valuable tn
ship-owner had hitherto remained standing
aenow took his customary seat and bepa
to listen with some interest. Mrs. Callende
had produced her effect on him already.
"It was absolutely necessary" she Or,
ceeded, "that you should be on board you
ship In the London docks at nine O'Clock tn
next morning II you had lost the express
the vessel would have sailed without you
The expression of his face began to chang
to surprise. "Who told you that ?" b
asked.
"You shall hear directly. On your wa,
into the town, your carriage was stopped
by an obstruction in the high road. Th
people OF Bexmore were looking at hous
on fire."
He started to his feet. "Good heavens ar
You the lady ?'
She held up her hand In satircal protest
"Gentiy, sir you suspected me Just now q
wasting your valuable time. Don't rssbl,
conclude that am the lady, until you fin;
tnat l am acquainted with the circum
stancesn
'Is there no excuse for my falling to recop
nize you r' Mr.. Lismore asked. "We wer,