The Sunday herald., 1886-11-14


nablemanner.
"That's what I mean to think till I ge
some cash, anyhow" he said.
"Pooh Cash Talk like that at you
agel I'm ashamed Of you Chops good
here w
every fair"
"Waiter, get me chop done to cinder
You know" the lawyer explained to Lor
rain, knowingly, "if you order chop wei
done, they II bring II to you little less raw
than usual; II you want It cooked, you mus
say done to cinder. Now tell me more
about yourself"
the two parted with mutual friendliness
Iorrain promising to dine with the solicitor
the following Thursday.
Obviously the next move was TO get DR..
Eason to bring his wife and daughter the
same day; and, consent to this being OBJ.
tained, Virgins felt that the battle was hall
won.
| He now devoted himself to arranging the
details Of this dinner party, which must be
planned from beginning to end with a view
to arousing the interest of the young couple
in one another. When Thursday came his
two servants wondered at his fussinesa. As
a rule, he allowed them to manage his din
ners without interference, but on this occa.
sion not only must he inspect the menu, and
give minute instructions about the waiting,
but he must take the arrangement OF the
drawing-room furniture out of the house,
maids hands. The piano must be put so,
the chess-table so, this little armchair here,
that screen there, and so OH all round the
room.
whats the meaning of 1t all, that's
what I want TO know 2" demanded the out.
ragged Jane.
"Old Miss Browns coming; he's going
accounting of her, "sniggered the cook--a con-
viction in which she was much confirmed,
when, just as the guests we're expected, Jane
informed her that the master had appeared
in new dress suit, with flower in his
buttonhole, and pair of ''panksnay" on
his nose.
| dressed, and with a dash of the patrcian
about his open, self-possessed bearing,
which Wiggins noted with approval as sure
to impress the unsophisticated Sybil. The
solicitor contrived very casually to drop the
fact that he expected some people of the
name Of Esson, and had the satisfaction of
seeing ,ok OF keen interest dart into Lor-
rains expressive face.
"Living in Morley Square - the young
man asked quickly; but before any answer
could be given the door opened and the
Easons we're announced.
SYPHILIS allowance was what girls call
"skimpy," but she had knack of putting
on her clothes so that the poorest of them
looked we'll on her; and as she stepped in now,
with soft folds Of Indian muslin falling about
her lissome figure, pretty flush on her
| cheeks, and smile on her lips for her friend
Mr.. Wiggins, she made charming picture,
and one that effected an abiding lodgment of
| itself in LOrraip's mind
As for her, she was good deal excited at
| being introduced to any one of the name of
Lorrain. At first she tried to be cool and
reserved, but soon she unbent, rehecting
that she might have caught thename wrong,
or he might belong to Inite another family
Of Lorrains. In the course of dinner, how
ever, he asked her whether she lived in
Morley Square, and she flashed the question
hack at him: Did he live in Queens Gate 2
Upon which a momentary silence ensued,
which was broken by dsft reference on
Wiggins's part to what he had found out to
| be Bsrtie's hobby-namely, mountaineering
in the Alps. Lorrain was easily prevailed
on to hold forth on this subject, and Sybil,
getting intensely interested, quite forgot to
convey by her manner how she hated him.
After dinner Virgins put forth all his
powers as a strategist, and made 1t surpris-
ingly easy for L0rrain not only to zee great
deal OF Sybil in the course of the evening,
but to provide safely for the further de-
| velopment of the acquaintance.
| 81 shall allow myself the pleasure, then,
Miss Easop, Of sending you the book we
have been talking about" Virgins heard
him say IS the Easons rose to go. He was
looking very straight into the girls face,
and her "Thank you very much; good
night" was given in low, slightly con.
strained voice.
During the next few weeks the young
man, really thoroughly In love, went ahead
like steam engine helped by the puny
pushes of child, who imagines IL is doing
all the work-Wiggins, It need not be said,
being the child.
Sybil Was bswildered by the frequency
with which she met the son OF her fathers
opponent, but Mr.. Lorrain always looked so
very surprised to see her, that she could not
for moment suspect him Of completely.
All this time, though both knew we'll
enough that'a lawsuit was pending between
their parents, the question was never
broaohed between them. Sybil had rspu-
tation for plunging hesdlong into any sub
| loot rather than maintain q constrained 81
lenos upon It, but on this matter q new shy.
ness kept her SILENT while Lorrsin, who was
moving heaven and earth TO persuade his
father to resign his claim, and had so far
signally failed, naturally avoided topic
likely to raise hostility.
At last the date was fixed for the trial TO
come on, and then Berthe marched into Wig
gins's office, looking the pioturs'of despair.
"l'm going daft, Wiggins," he remarked,
"and this sickening case Is at the bottom OF
It,"
"Kindly remember that | am solicitor for
the other side, and avoid that subject, !" said
the lawyer severely.
| "Oh, hang III" said Lorrain, "I'm not 60
ing to discuss the case. only want to say
that it's sin and shame, ami If had a
voice in the matter I'd withdraw the claim
on our side and apologize humbly for ever
having made It."
"That statement, made to me by your
father through his solicitor, would be inter
ssting and valuable; from you It is mere
waste Of words"
"Wiggins, don't get on the stills, said
Lorrrin impatiently. "You might see what
tx I'm in"
"You are taking up my time, sir" rs-
marked Virgins significantly.
''Then you may as we'll listen TO me-.
Don't you understand that I'm dead set on
marrying Sybil Eason. aud that whichever
way the case Is settled Pm done for ~ II
We win she will simply loaths me, and II
tn6y win now can make up 10 girl WhO'll
have such q pot Of money Speak up, sir;
what am TO do ="
"speak up YOURSELF" said Virgins
shortly.
"To her, do you mean ? Now My
word, II ! dared Do you think she'd lot
nef"
Virgins put on his spectscles and looked
the young man up and down without
word.
Lorrsin positively blushed at the implied
compliment.
Seriously, do you think mightf Oh,
Virgins, what an awfully good fellow you
arei | say, how do You think the case will
got"
"Your question, Mr.. Lorrain," said Wig
gins magisterially, sis is.improper TO the last
degree. Kindly leave my office"
Lorrain walked out very soberly aud
hailed hanson.
snow or never" he said to himself, as lie
directed the cabman to Morley Square.
Once more luck favored him; Sybil was
sauntering round the square alone. Berthe
Joined her. and presently--she hardly knew
how--she found herself sitting on bench