Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-12-12

on the Block that people show off their new dresses, bow to their friends, cut their enc mics and chatter small talk. Carriages were bowling smoothly along their occupants smiling and lowing as they | recognized their friends on the sidewalk lawyers, their legal quibble finished for the week, were strollfng leisurely along, with | thelr black bags in their hands; portly mer- chants, forgetting Flinders lane and incom- ing ships, were walking beside their pretty daughters; and the representatives of swell dom were stalking along in their customary apparel Of curly hats, high collars. and masher suits Altogether it was a very pleasant and animated scene, and would have delighted the heart of any one who was not dyspeptic, nor in love-dyspeptic people and lovers disappointed ones, of course) being accustomed to survey the world in a cynical vein. Madge Frettlby was engaged in that pleas ant occupation so dear to every female heart of shopping She was in Moubray, Rowan oS Hicks, turning over ribbons and laces while the faithful Brian waited for her out side, and amused himself by looking at the human stream which flowed along the pave ment. Brian disliked shopping quite as much as the rest of his sex, but, being a lover, or course it was his duty to be martyr lzed, though he could not help thinking of his pleasant club, where he could have been reading and smoking, with something cool ln glass beside him. After Madee had purchased dozen articles she did not want, and had interviewed her dressmaker on the momentous subject of new dress, she remembered that Brian was waiting for her. and hurried quickly to the door.
 Il haven't been many minutes have L dearE" she said, touching him lightly on the arm.
 "Oh, dear, mo-" answered Brian, looking at his watch, "only thirty-a mere nothing. considering new dress was being discussed"
 II thought had been longer" said Madge, her brow gathering, ''but still am sure you feel martyr"
 Not at all," replied Fitzgerald handing her into the carriage; II enjoyed myself very muchn
 Nonsense" she laughed, opening her sun- shade, while Brian took his seat beside her: that's one of those social stories which every one considers themselves bound to tell from sense of duty. I'm afraid did keep you walt1ng-though, after all," she went on. with true feminine idea as to the flight of time, "l was only few minutes"
 And the resi-" said Brian, quizzically looking at her pretty face, so charmingIy flushed under her great white hat.
 Madge disdained to notice this interr,,n tion.
 James, she cried to the coachman. "driye to the Melbourne club. Papa will be there. you know" she said to Brian, land we'll take him oH to have afternoon tea with us"
 But it's only o'clock" |" said Brian, as the town hall clock came in sight. Mrs. Samp- son won't be ready"
 "Oh. anything will do," replied Madge, "a cup of tea and some thin bread and butter isn't hard to prepare. don'tfeel like lunch, and papa eats so little in the middle of the day, and you"-
 Eat great deal at all times," finished Brian, with laugh. Madge went on chat tering in her usual lively manner, and Brian listened to her with delight. It was very pleasant, he thought, lying back among the soft cushions of the carriage, with a pretty girl talking so gayly. He felt like Saul must have done when he heard the harp of David, and Madge, with her pleasant talk, drove away the evil spirit which had been with him for the last three weeks Suddenly Madge made an observation as they were passing the Burke and Wills monument, which startled him.
 Isn't that the place where MT. Whyte got into the oabs" she asked, looking at the corner near the Scotch church, where a vaSrant of musical tendencies was playing
 
 tered old concertina in a most dismal man. her.
 50 the papers say" answered Brian, list lessly, without turning his head
 ''I wonder who the gentleman in the light coat could have been," said Madge, as she settled herself again.
 ''No one seems to know," he replied eva- sively.
 "Ah, but they've got clew," she said. Do you know, Brian" she went on, 'tthat he was dressed just like you, in light overcoat and soft hat?"
 'How remarkable" said Fitzgerald. speak ing in slightly sarcastic tone and as calmly as he was able. ''He was dressed in the same manner as nine out of every ten young fel- lows in Melbourne"
 Madge looked at him in surprise at the tone In which he spoke, so different from his usual nonchalant way of speaking, and was about to answer, when the carriage stopped at the door of the Melbourne club Brian, anxious to escape any more remarks about the murder, sprang quickly out, and ran up the steps into the building. He found MT. Fretslby smoking complacently, and reading The Age. As Fitzgerald entered he looked up, and putting down the paper held out his hand, which the other took.
 "Ah! Fitzgerald, " he said, 'shave you left ~-~> OA greater ones of clubland9"
 "Not l." answered Brian. five come to carry you off to afternoon tea with Madge and myself"
 II don't mind, answered M. Frettlby, ris- ing; "hut isn't, afternoon tea at half-past 1 rather an anomalyg"
 Whats in a name?" said Fitzgerald, ab- sently, as they left the room "What have you been doing all morning9'
 five been in here for the last half hour reading" answered the other, carelessly.
 'Wool market, supposew
 "No, the hanson cab murder"
 "Oh, d. that thingl" said Brian, hastily; then, seeing his companion looking at him in surprise, he apologfsed. "Rnt, indeed" he went on, "Pm nearly worried to death by people asking all about Whyte, as if knew all about him, whereas know nothing"
 "Just as we'll you didn't" answered Mir Frettlby, as they descended the steps to- gether; ''he was not very desirable com panion."