The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-11-08


continued. meditativcly staring at tie cell
ing; wouldn't mind tying myself W II tic
nooes was as well gilded as yours rs, Master
Fred"
Ismi!ed somewhat complacerfly. "Iknow
several nice girls-the Bells, Tor instance
Geraldine is sparkling brunette and has a
modest dowry, believe. You have met
tncmf'
"Oh. YES said he, in a csreless voice, but
I don't remember their names. I'm not n
ladies' man-haven't your appearance or
manner, YOU lucky beggnr;" remark which
! could not In candor contradict
"why, / thought you danced with Ger
aldine several times az the Whites bali
Surely YOU remember herr said ], for my
self, till the literally golden light OF Mabel
rose on my horizon had been rather marked
in my attentions 10 pretty Geraldine. But
/ never could find out how much She was GER
tain TO have.
I'll may have yawned Everton; "but girls
are very much alike and very often nui-
sances," continued the Goth well, I'm of /;
one more glass first" and he mixed and
gulped down another S. and b., leaving me
TO compose letter 10 Mabel, who, with her
aunt, was staying at al old school friends
in the Isle Of Wight. ] was not altogether
sorry, for my Mabel had, charming as she
personally and pecuniarily was, n very high
idea Of the homage due to her, and was very
exgeante as n fance, keeping one well mp
TO the collar and in attendance, and admit
ting no excuses IL one deviated from exact
punctuality, for which characteristic she
seemed 10 have inherited a most commercial
instinct from the late Plumley, who, BE-
lieve, never lost the quarter to nine bus
for innumeiable years. Therefore, 1t was
with mingled feelings that 10y return ofpost
had letter from Mabel, informing me
playfully, as a reward for my protestra'ious
Of longing 10 see her, she and her aunt would
run up for the day from the lss,e Of Wight e
have long day in town, as there was Some
shopping to be done and little sight seeing
combined, and TIC day following ! was TO
meet them at the station
| did so. an1 remarkably pretty in Ter
Juno fashion Mabel looked. ] was rather
surprised. however, when ! asked her II she
were going to Tybrrnia first. She answered,
"Oh no; ! let the house as it stood for two
months 10 some Doyonshirc people NO use
in letting a house stand idle or money either,
she said, and really thought / could discern
sort of city ring in her voice. This new
discovery led 10 some reflection on my part
Ill
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
dering how soon Mabel and her aunt who
seemed in the pink OF condition for staying
powers, if may talk like a sporting paper,
would let me have an interval Of repose,
when my fance remarked:
81 am so hungry
Her aunt's ford face lit up with sympa-
thetic and delighted ardor
And I'm hungrier than I've ever been, "
she said.
"Well, Fred will take us somewhere TO
luncheon said Mabel, with a radiant smile,
and We proceeded, with much simulated en-
thusiasm on my part and much real ditto on
that Of the ladies, 10 a noted restaurant.
Why was my enthusiasm simulated, seeing
my love Of good eating equaled that Of MY
fair c0mpanionsl Because 1t is always with
the proviso Of being OF somebody elses ex-
pense when my funds ran low, which just
at this time they did, when, with tho usual
perversity Of woman, my betrothed must
take it into her head TO come TO London.
Now, had been paying cab fares and ex-
hibition admissions, and therefore rucfully
calculated that by the time a recherche
luncheon and some dry Mumm had been con
umed very little Of the small sum in my
purse would remain there. Mabel, as her
remark anent the house, showed. was young
lady Of business, and nothing could work
more prejudically 10 my prospects than 10
| hint my temporary position 10 her. which a
good many men with less majestic, though
as well lowered iauccs, could have done.
No, it was a case Of grinand-bear-it, and
with Spartan fortitude / led the way into the
restaurant and ordered a most charming
| luncheon. 20 all tho courses Of which the two
/ ladies paid marked and appreciatiye atten-
tions. As | had 20 pay Tor the feast / saw no
reason why | should not enjoy my share Of
/ it, and was rot so Economically in love as
70 have my appetite spoiled. The cham
payne, too, did me good, and / much respect
/ cd Mabel and her admirable aunt for beng
superior 90 the usual feminine taste for sweet
wines So altogether VIC We're very comfort
| able
Alasl the mauvlas quart dheure was APP
preaching, and Mabel was too fond Of her
oppressive puncilaity 10 let ne enjoy my
ease as We OF the 3. +. Office were wont TO do.
She began 10 recapi,ulate tie projects She
/ had for the rest Of the afternoon. / carelessly
called for the til. and while the waiter was
gone for It surrepJt.ousIy opened my purse
10 find that, as | now remembered, the one
IS note it had contained had that morning,
when dressing, been put into and left III rny
writing desk
".
This hideous discovery, 20 use a vulgar
phrase, completely "ilabbersastedn me. Ny
two fair guests were triling with dessert and
too intent On their occupation 10 notice my
change Of countenancc Nhat was to lie
done. Money must be had and Immediately,
and tho nearest pawnbrOker must be sought.
Summoning all my histnonic power (Which
has been pronounced in amateur circles con.
siderable / observed, with a sudden start Of
recollection, that TO my great annoyance
had an official appointment at tho Office
and business is business, dear Mabel"
/ eoil ,vlfrf, Ivgs a semi ineut ppCulaTlv in.