The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-11-18

Tau! ndiEaItb HdNll- moved away 10
speak 10 other guests. lie made his way
to her at once.
Mrs. Trafford, wouldn't You like TO
have turn round the GARDEN" he asked
Il would much rather have a cup OF
tea, she replied, laughing
Jim gave her his arm at once. and very
quickly settled her in a comfortable chair,
with some claret cup and a plate Of
Strawberries. Then he pulled another
chair near to it for himself, and prepared
70 have good time and enjoy it.
What is the news. Mrs Trafiordt' lie
autobiography went TO Mrs. Trafford
for the latest news in BlankkarnDton
well" she said. as she dipped straw
berry into the little pile OF sugar upon
her plate, "the corporation are going to
take the terrace away from ali these
houses think that's the latest Of all. -
Awful shame" murmured Beautiful
Jim, 10 whom Blanahampton Deanery
was merely pleasant but passing oasis
in life's desert, and not permanent
Mecca, as it was to the parish set.
And the dean says if they do he'll lock
up the Deanery Close and make q private
garden Of that But they know well
enough that he will never have the heart
to shut the children out just TO spite the
corporation"
"Well. IL would be rough on the it'll
beggars," said he No, shouldn't think
the dean would be the sort to DO that.
"Not he; it isn't in him. and the cor
porai ION people know it-aud act upon il.
Still 10 viii be great shame If they con-
triye TO DESTROY the privacy Of all these
gardens for nothing is so Unpleasant as
being overlooked in that way. OF course
you know that Miss Anrobus is going 20
be married. she said with a quick
change OF tone.
Beautiful Jim edged q step nearer.
"No. indeed aid not. And who is the
man.
An old admirer; a man who has been
in love with her for yelrs-ior YEARS.
answered Mrs Traflord. uncousciously
slipping into Mrs Hugh Antrobus grand
and inflated style of speaking. Il told
Mrs. Antrobus that | hoped she would be
very happy, for happiness in marriage Is
such an important consideration. And
she said. OH de ar, yes Mr.. Mandarin
is quite the right husband for Polly. His
devotion has been marvellous, and he
has loaded her-simply loaded her-with
valuable presents.
Mandarin. What queer name, said
Beautiful jim, who Was deeply interested
ia the fortunes of the fair Polly.
Il believe. said Mrs Tra'iord. looking
down demurely as she toyed with her
fork and plate, "that Mr.. Mandarins-er
father Gnd-er-mother were-er-not
exactly of the same race.
eyes, said jim, eagerly
"IIis mother was "a German Jewess who
well. went out in some capacity 10
Shanghai and-and married a rch mer-
chant Of some repute in that city, and
er-ihe fact is. Mr. Beresford, when you
have seen him-as ] have don't sup
pose YOU will be at all surprised at his
bearing such a peculiar name; 1t suits
him very well. Mrs. lraiord ended put
ting down her cup with very quiet and
innocent air
beautiful Jim by that time'was simply
convulsed with laughter.
Mrs. Traiiord." Inc exclaimed, "you
don't mean that the fair Polly IS going TO
marry a Chinamanl Good God It's worse
than marrying a niger"
"The late Mrs Mandarin. Mrs. Traf-
ford reminded him, was a German jew
ess."
Heavens What combination. And
what is the result liket'
"Ile is certainly not much TO look at, -
replied Mrs. 1'rafford, rather dryly.
However, lie seems 20 be very rich. and
Mrs. Antrobus is amply satisfed-amply.
So / suppose st is ell right"
"And the fair Polly Beautiful Jim
asked.
"Shc was not gushing about it, she
answered: but she smiled and thanked
me very prettily when ! wished her joy.
Nor was Beautiful Jim the only person
10 whom Mrs. Trafford impaired her in
formation that afternoon. II happened
that she was particularly well up IN all
/ the details Of the afiair-so far as Mrs.
Antrobus was able to impart them-for
/ only that afternoon she had had occasion
10 70 10 her dressmaker's that person, 10y
/ the by. lived a little way past the River
| house,. and as she owed Mrs. AntrObus
| three calls. and a great deal Of oil flat
/ terv and such like attention as was dear
| to the little widow patronizing soul, she
determined. for two fold. nay, three
fold reason. TO call on that stout and
friendly LADY. First, because her way
that day led her actually past the door
secondly. because the fact that she was
due at the Deanery tennis party would Ell.
able her 10 cut her visit very short, in
deed. if she wished to do SO, and find
/ Mrs. Antrobus at home and thirdly, be
cause the mere fact that she must Sc
hurry away would in itself help to keep
Mrs. Antrobus elusive friendliness within
reasonable bounds. A clever, far seeing
little woman, Mrs. Traflord-a very clever
woman.
But, as it happened, she felt no desire
whatever TO cut her visit short, and 50
interested was she in the news al. and
the general atmosphere of, the River
| house. that she almost forgot the Deanery
party altogether. For when she inquired
| Tor Mrs. Antrobus the maid told her that
she was at home. and invited her TO en-.
| ter. which she did And as she followed
her along the spacious hall-so much
larger and handsOmer than her own-she
met Mss Baby, the Youngest child Of the
house. now fast growing into long
legged, gawlsy girl, more like a hen as
to gait than anything else, and giving nc
nromise whatever in any way OF bloom