Rock Island daily Argus., 1888-12-01

ulu SO, and remarkably pretty in her
Juno fashion Mabel looked | was rather
surprised, however, when | asked her if she
were going to Tyburnia first She answered. |
"Oh no; let the house as it stood for two |
months to some Devonshire people. No use |
in letting house stand idle or money either.n
she said, and really thought could discern |
sort of city ring in her voice This new
discovery led to some reflection on nv part.
III.
We had covered, should imagine, enough
ground to satisfy the greatest glutton in a
go-as-you-please contest in going from shop
to shop, and had done" two picture CALLER
les, when, thoroughly exhausted, was won-
derlng how soon Mabel and her aunt. who
seemed in the pink of condition for staving
powers, If | may talk like a sporting paper.
would let me have al interval of repoSe
when my fance remarked:
Il am so hungryP
Her aunt's Horid face lit up with syrnpa-
thetic ard delighted ardor.
And I'm hungrier than I've ever been,n
she said
We'll, Fred win take US somewhere to
luncheon said Mabel, with radiant smile,
and we proceeded, with much simulated en-
thuSlGsm on my part and much real ditto on
that OF the ladies, to noted restaurant.
Why was my enthusiasm simulated, seeing
myiove of good eating equaled that of nv
fair companionsl Because it is always with
the proviso OF being at somebody else's ex-
pense when my funds ran low, which Just
at this time they did, when, with the usual
perversity OF woman, nv betrothed must
tat- ~ ID+f hor. hoo "a,
Now, had been paying cab fares and ex-
hibition admissions, and therefore ruefully
calculated that by the time a recherche
luncheon and some dry Mumm had been con-
sumed very little of the small sum in my
purse would remain there. Mabel, as her
| remark ane1t the house showed, was a Young
lady of business, and nothing could work
more periodically to my prospects than to
| hint my temporary position to her, which a
| good many men with less majestic, though
| as well lowered tances, could have done.
| No, it was a case OF grin-and- bear-it, and
| with Spartan fortitude led the way into the
restaurant and ordered a most charming
| luncheon, TO ali the courses of which the two
ladies paid marked and appreciative atten-
| tions. As had to pay for the feast 1 saw no
reason why should not enjoy my share Of
it, and was not so romantically in love as
10 have my appetite spoiled. The cham
pagne, too, did me good, and much respect
ed Mabel and her admirable aunt for being
superior to the usual feminine taste for sweet
wines. So altogether we were very comfort
able.
Alas! the mauvias quart d'heure was ap-
preaching, and Mabel was too fond of her
oppressive punctuality to let me enjoy my
ease as We OF the b. r office were wont TO do.
She began to recapitulate the projects she
had for the rest of the afternoon. / carelessly
called for the bill, and while the waiter was
gone for it surreptitiously opened my purse
/ to find that, as | now remembered the one
Is note it had contained had that morning,
when dressing, been put into and left in my
writing deskl
".
This hideous discovery, to use vulgar
phrase, completely 'fabbergasted7 me. Ny
two fair guests were trifing with dessert and
too intent on their occupation to notice my
change OF countenance. What was TO be
donel Money must bo had and Immediately,
and the nearest pawnbroker must be sought
SummoninG all my histrionic power (which
has been pronounced in amateur circles con-
recollection, that to my great annoyance 1
had an official appointment at the office,
and ''business is business, dear Mabel" /
said, which was q sentiment peculiarly in
teligibIe to the heireSs OF Uncle PlumIev,
So she graciousiy approved CT my short alb
sence, and / hurried out, followed by the
not unsuspiciors glance of the manager, only
reassured by glancing at the rich attire and
placid couteEtIuent OF the two ladies left at
the table Once out Of the restaurant, !
bolted at headlons speed down a side street,
where | espied the familiar three golden
balls | resolved in my mind, as / hurried
along, the feasibility of raising the required
amount on my watch and chain, but re-
aectd that its absence would be Immediately
detected The only available resource was
therefore, the opal ring, and | must trust tc
my glove, until redeemed the gem, to con
ceal from Mabels eyes the absence of bel
: gift. / got e5 on the ring, and with tn.
, money and ticket FASTENED back to find tn,
Indies still triairg with fruit Clearly Mabe
was not Il woman TO live on bread and chees,
: and kisses.
How quick you've been, Fred she OBJ
served.
Gould I be long away from you, darlingi
said /, passionately, carefully keeping n.
gloves on ard hoping her brilliant eyes
which were deuced sharp-would not not
l the absence OF the raised circle under tn
l kid. paid the bill and we started for an
; other exhibition, after which, to my intens
relief, | took the pair TO Waterloo and say
them of for Southampton. then remen
bered was due at whist party at Evel
5 tons and resolving to postpoue the redeem
- Ing Of my ring and intent on winning Il
Il ''fiver7 for that purpose, l set off for b
r. lodgings, where found several fellows ar
"a Everton in high feather,
n Hang whist he exclaimed, well pla
loo TO which there was chorus of assen
!, "the night is young and drink is plenty"
/ continued and there was an array Of beve
ages fit for Gargantuan throats. So, after
n preliminary hquoring up, we began to pla
40 and the same went on into the small hou
a with varying fortune, most of US certain
=. having more than was good for u.s. Lu
~ ran for some time in my favor, then trrne
-, and found myself in somewhat hazy &C
- dition. scrawling | o Us However, to n
:, great relief it turned again, and my o
n We're handed back, followed By cash VIII
- the play ended | rose Il fair winner, but
o duhitably half seas over. However, got
=, hanson, paid double fare, and somehow s
a., up stairs and into bed, virtuously resolvi
~ the first thing in the morning to redeem 1
an an ring.
"a. But when morning came a splitting hei
- ache allowed me only to send u message
1i' excuse to the Office and lie eroauing in
=, till the afternoon, when after much SC
'A water, | crawled, seediest of wretches, to
pawnbrokers
-, "a Il want my opal ring, said |, and felt
-a my pocket, but no ticket was there
ou ~ II don't wonder you can't fiud it" said
'is smart young man behind the counter, S
Nv douically, for it was taken out by yor
woman this morning at . O'Clock"
ay "Whatr' l shrieked, and stormed {
en raved, vowing | was robbed. But for
life Of me | couldn't recollect when las
us saw the ticket, and the pawnbroker phi
-eu matically remarked that my only course
~ to advertise it or inform the police. B
n'' courses. considering my position and Mab
ideas, were equally out of the question,
or cursing at large | went home to consi
. ces what on earth was the best course to pur,
liui That evening Everton and some fell
a'' came to my place clamoring for revenge,
'' was in no humor for cards and compa
he aud gave them so inhospitable RECEIPT
ell that they ali wlthdrew except EVerton, '
the pressed me as to the cause OF my being
5ter down Ill the mouth as he expressed
But even to him was not going to con
low 80 momentouS' a secret, and he, too, t
lce. himself off, advising me to take a liver