Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-06-27
CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER II.
 SHORTLY before noon on the day following thcse events ph acton drovo past J. Archi- bald Bocknby's house and stopped at the corner beyond 1t. A little woman dressed en- tircly in black, and carrying largo black call 60 bag, alighted, and giving the reins into the charge of n small, chubby boy, who had been her sole companion, she crossed the thor oughfare, asccnded the flight of stone steps leading to Malvina Bockaby's homo, and rang the bell.
 Tho portly individual who opened the door looked rather surprised At the wizened little creature with tho beady black eyes who stood before him.
 "I wish to sec Mrs. Bockaby,"' she said in almost whisper.
 "Your name7" queried tho euncompromi>ing James.
 "Mrs. Wylde."
 James took an austere look .at the woman, as though doubtful whether, under the ciT+ he ought to oboy the comnanes of his mistress. Mrs. Wylde certainly look,sl though by no mems fascinating. His seryility triumphed, however, and Mrs. Wylde was soon in tho bedroom of Mrs. J. Archibald Bockaby. There was no need to inform that lady of the advent of her guest. She had been listening nttentively over the banisters whilo Mrs. Wylde and James held their brief conference. Now she almost wished James had refused to admit her. Ks he had not done 50, however, she must see the matter to an end.
 Mrs. Bockaby found hor guest standing be- fore tho bed and carefully examining the black and gold garment which lay spread out in its glossy glory upou the white counterpane. The artistic beauty of the dress. seemed to be Of no account to Mrs. Wyldo's Investigation She pulled at the seams, peeped under the arms, explored the Things, tested tho quality of the goods, and in fact made herself completely at home with the robe.
 Mrs. Bockaby looked on timidly, ot ven- turing to utter a word. Mrs. Wyldes method surprised her somewhat, but she was always too well-bred to manifest surprise under any circumstances. Mrs. Wylde's examination lasted for fully ten minutes, at tho end of which time she sought an easy chair, sat down comfortably in 1t. folded her arms and. pursed her lips.
 ''You-you-dke the dress9" asked Mr.~ Bockaby, nervously, as she noticed that the lovely Mrs Wylde made no effort to break the silence. Mrs. Wylde grunted-pleasantly, but undeniably. @ F@<<
 'I wish you to understand" said Mrs. Bockably, still more neryously, and with tho awful knowledge that she was 'in for 1t" now, "this-this Is tho-tho-arst time have had dealings with wom-ladies of your pr -pro- fession. My husband does not know that I have sent for you."
 'He nevor will" said Mrs. Wylde, suddenly finding her tongue and feeling that she could now satisfactorily assert herself, as sho was so fond of doing. "Mrs. Bockaby, do a largo and confidential business--confldentia is the word, ma'am, I assure you. IfI were to toll you the names of the ladies whom T. ahem l-relieve eof--er-superfiuous garments, you would start. The list might show the names of somo of your best friends-ladies in your set ma'am. ButI am to be trusted, It's no use my beating about the bush-1 might as we'll say it right out I'm cut out for this business. Ladies all find out sooner l or later. I never breathe the name of one customer to another. If you were to offer me $500 ma'am, wouldn't reveal to you the namt of the pe1son-lndy, should say--whom have just left, nor that of the customer shal ] see after leave you"
 1 Mrs. Wylde, with this declaration of nor. 1 ality looked proudly at Mrs. Bockaby. She gloried in asserting herself, and generally l did so in excellent English.
 [1-Suppose y-you not only buy, bu s-sell ?" asked Malvina, rather senselessly, i must be confessed.
 "Of course," was the answer. don
 wear all these fine feathers myself" | "And-you really mean to .t-tell me tha l ladies-lndies you understand-will buy sec ond-hand dresses and wear them. l sup
 posed servant girls bought tbem." Mrs
 Bockaby was interested, In spite of herself.
 The Wylde looked at her would be patror
 with affable contempt. She enjoyed all thi
 talking. but she liked to appear as tfoug
 confessions were painful to hcr.
 eff I buy that dress from you this morn
 ing," she said. casting rather m unfavorabl'
 glance at the gown, "I shall sell 1t this even
 ing A lady said to me only the other day
 'Wylde' (xhen hnve intinate and frequen
 dealings with ladies they get very familiar you know), I want nice evening dress. bu
 I don't want to pay for 1t. Hyou can get m
 something pretty for nothing, or next to noth
 ing, I shall be very glad Oh! you need no
 be afraid of me, Mrs. Bockaby. assure yo1
 am accustomed to the very best people,"
 Mrs. Bockaby felt relieved. Since she ha
 despatched her letter summoning the ubiqu
 tous lady to her side, she had boon very un
 easy in her mind. Shc had temporarily fol
 gotten her urgent need of money in he
 dread of being discovered dealing with an ad
 vcrtiscd ''superfuous" clothes dealer. No, that Mrs. Wylde had administered a littl balm to her self-esteem by informing her tha i; her neighbors were equally hard pressed fo I money. she remembered Mrs. De Snigsby' } bal poudre and all it's alarming requirements ] '.Then you like my dressY asked Malvini anxiously, as Ia Wylde's eloquence ceased j flow.
 | sI never said did.''
 "But-but-the lady who wants an ovenin | dress? Surely--surely, she cannot do bette ,il than take this one. It's lovely. My husban ! begged me to wear 1t next Wednesday eve, l5I ing, but want a now gown. This cost GlA
 In London, only last year. Look at it, Mr hI Wylde; look nt 1t"
 !, Mrs. Bockaby wns really agitatod. Sho lln | V