Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-06-26
CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER II.
 SHORTLY before noon on the day following these events phaeton drove past J. Archi- bald Bookaby's house and stopped at the corner beyond it. A little woman dressed en- trely in black, and carrying large black c;.l- ico bag, alighted, and giving the reins into the charge of q small, chubby boy, who had been her sole companion, she crossed the thor ouyhtare, asccnded the flight of stone steps leading to Malvina Bockabys home, and rang tine beli
 The portly individual who opened the door looked rather surprised at the wizened little creature with the beady black eyes who stood before him.
 "I wish to sec Mrs. Bockaby,' she said in almost whisper.
 "Your name?" queried the uncompromisiLg James. gts
 "Mrs. Wylde."
 James took an austere look at the wom"n, as though doubtful whether, under the cir. cumstances, he ought to obey the comn!:!ln.s of his mistress. Mrs. Wylde certainly look.,l respectable, though by no means fascinating. His servility triumphed, however, and Mrs. Wylde was soon ill the bedroom of Mrs. J. Archibald Bockaby. There was no need to inform that lady of the advent of her guest. She had been listening attentively over the banisters while Mrs. Wylde and James held their brief conference. Now she almost wished James had refused to admit her. As he had not done so, however, she must see the matter to an end
 Mrs. Bockaby found her guest standing be- fore the bed and carefully examining the LacS and gold garment which lay spread out ill it's glossy glory upou the white counterpane. The artistic beauty of the dress seemed to be Of no account to Mrs. Wylde's investigation. She pulled at tho seams, peeped under the arms, explored the Innings, tested the quality of the goods, and in fact made herself completely at home with the robe.
 Mrs. Bockaby looked on timidly, n ot ven- turing to utter word. Mrs. Wylde's method surprised her somewhat, but she was always too well-bred to manifest surprise under any lasted for fully ten minutes, at the end of which time she sought an easy chair, sat down comfortably in it, folded her arms md pursed
 "You-you-like the dress?" asked Mrs. Bockaby, nervously, as she noticed that the lovely Mrs. Wylde made no effort to break the silence. Mrs. Wylde grunted-pleasantly, but undeniably.
 sI wish you to understand" said Mrs Bockably, still more nervously, and with tine awful knowledge that she was Gin for it.
 
 had dealings with wom-ladies of your pr-pro- fession. My husband does not know that l have sent for you.'
 "He never will" said Mrs. Wylde, suddenly finding her tongue and feeling that she could now satisfactorily assert herself as she was so fond of doing. "Mrs. Bockaby, I do q large and confidential business-confllentia is the word, maam, I assure you. If 1 were to tell you the names of the ladies whom T. 1 oE you would start. The list might show the names of some of your best friends-ladies 1 in your set ma'am. But am to be trusted. It's no use my beating about the bush-] l might as well say it right out. I'm cut out l for this business. Ladies all find out sooner | or later. I never breathe the name of one l customer to another. If you were to offer me 1 $500 ma'am, wouldn't reveal to you the name l of the person--lady, should say-whom 1 have just left, nor that of the customer shsl see after leave you.''
 l Mrs. Wylde, with this declaration of mor- ality looked proudly at Mrs. Bockaby. She l glOried ill asserting '' herself, and generally did so in excellent English.
 l I-I-suppose y-you not only buy, bu s-seH ?" asked Malvna, rather senselessiy ii 1 must be confessed. "
 l "Of course' was the answer. @ don' l wear all these fine feathers myself" 1 "AnQ-you really mean to t-teH mo tina 1 ladies-ladies you understand-will buy soc ond-hand dresses and wear them. sup posed servant girls bought them." Mrs Bockaby was interested in spite of herself.
 The Wyde looked at her would be patron with affable contempt. She enjoyed all th
 talking, but she liked to appear as thousl confessions were painful to her.
 ''If I buy that dress from you this morn ing" she said, casting rather an unfavorable glance at the gown, "I shall sell it this even l ing. A lady said to me only the other day l 'Wylde' (whcn I have intimate and frequen
 dealings with ladies they get very familiar you know), I want a nice evening dress bu
 I don't want to pay for it. If you can get m, l something pretty for nothing, next to noth
 ing, I shall be very glad Oh! you need no
 be afraid of me, Mrs. Bockaby. I assure yo,
 am accustomed to the very best people,
 Mrs. Bockaby felt relieved. Since she hat
 despatched her letter summoning the ubiqui
 tous lady to her side, she had been very un
 easy in her mind. She had temporarily for
 gotten her urgent need of money ill he
 dread of being discovered dealing with an ad
 vertised "superfluous" clothes dealer. Nov
 that Mrs. Wylde had administered q lttl
 balm to her self-esteem by informing her tha her neighbors were equally hard pressed fo
 money, she remembered Mrs. De Snigsby.
 bal poudre and all it's alarming requirements
 '"rhen you like my dress?" asked Malvina anxiously, as la Wylde's eloquence ceased t ) flow.
 1T never said did,"
 ] "But-but-the lady who wants an evenin dress7 Surely-surely, she cannot do bette
 than take this one. It's lovely. My husband begged me to wear it next Wednesday even ing, but want new gown. This cost El0
 in London, only last year. Look at it, Mfr Wylde; look at it."
 Mrs. Bockaby was really agitated. She ha