The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1890-09-21

government offices. The taller of the
two--he who was athome in the room
was slim, well dressed man, wearing
his hair parted exactly in the middle,
and diamond pin in the sailor knot Of
his tie. He had his frock cont open and
his thumbs in the arm holes of his waist
cost. The attitude denoted conplaeency,
and the man was compliment.
'sWell, the funny part of it is he was
saying lightly, his shoulders pressed
against the mantelpiece, that am din
ing at the Burton Smiths this evening"
ssAhY' his companion answered, look
ing up at him with eyes of envy. "And
SO you viii see her"
.sOf course She is to come to them
today. But they do not know about our
engagement yet, and, as she does not
want to blurt it ont the moment she ar
rives, why, for this evening it will be
secret Still, thought would tell you,
He stepped away as he spoke to
straighten red morocco covered dis
patch box standing on the table behind
him. It bore, besides the Haunting gilt
capitals, IL o. a modest plate with
the name Ernest Wibberley" his
name.
The other waited until he resumed his
place. Then he answered, holding out
his hand: Yes, am glad you told me,
old boy, and congratulate you most
heartily, believe me-"
Thank you. jack" Wibberley re-
piled. II knew you would. rather
feel myself that Fate cannot harm me.
have dined today"
Happy dogF' said Jack, and present
" disappeared.
The Burton Smiths, whom we heard
them mention, are toIerably well known
in London. Burton Smith himself is
barrister, with money and many rela-
tions-Irish landlords, Scotch members,
Indian judges and the like His wife is
young, gracious and fond of society.
Their drawing rooms on the topmost
fiat Of Onslow mansions-room with
sloping ceilings and dozen quaint hooks
and corners are seldom empty during
the regulation hours
This particular dinner party had been
planned with some care Lady Lin
acre will come no doubt" Mrs. Burton
Smith had said one day at breakfast,
coming a listshe held in her hand, ssand
Mr.. May"
But Burton Smith objected to May.
ssde will talk about nothing but India"
he protested, land the superiority Of
Calcutta over London A little Of these
Bombay ducks goes a long way, my
DEAR
well, James, Mrs. Burton Smith
replied placid1y, the Hon. Verel1er May
Is son of Lord Hawthorn. He will
take me IN and do not mind. Only
must have Mr.. Wibberley on the other
side to make conversation and keep me
alive. Let me see-that will be three.
And Joanna Burton-she comes that aft
ernoon--four. Do you know, James,
when we were at Temple Rothley for
Christmas thought there was some
thing between your cousin and Mr.. Wib-
berleyg
'sThen for goodness sake do not let
them sit togetherl" Burton Smith cried,
ssor they will talk to one another and to
no one else. !"
Every WELL" Mrs. Smith asserted.
sThey shall sit opposite to one another,
and Mr.. Wibberley shall take in Mrs.
Galantine She will be sure tofirt with
him, and we can watch Joanna's face.
shall soon see if there is anything be-
tween them"
Mr.. Wibberley was young man Of
some Importance, if only in his capacity
80 IL.
had 1,000 acquaintance, and certainly
two friends--perhaps three. He might
be something some day-was bound to
be. He dressed well, looked well and
talked well. He was little presumptu-
Gus, perhaps even trihe conceited; but
women like these things in young men,
and he had infinite tact. At any rate he
had never yet found himself in place
too straight for him.
This evening as he dressed for dinner,
as he brushed his hair vigorously or
paused to smile at some refection--his
own, but not IN the glass-he was in his
happiest mood. Everything seemed to
be going we'll with him He had no pre-
sentiment Of evil. He was going to
house where he was appreciated Mrs
Burton Smith was great ally Of his.
And then there would be, as we know,
some one else. Happy mani
Lady Linacre. said his hostess as she
introduced him to astout parsonage with
white hair, a double chin, and diamonds.
Wibberley bowed, making up his mind
that the dowager was one of those ladies
with strong prejudices, who draw their
skirts together if you prove home ruler
and leave the room If you mention Sir
Charles Dixie. Mr.. May you have met
before, Mrs. Smith continued, land you
know Miss Burton, I think"
emurmured assent, while she j an-
nar-shook hands with him frankly and
quietly, with the ghost of smile per-
haps He played his part well, too, for
moment, but halted in his sentence as
it flashed across his mind that this was
their first meeting since she had said
"Yes" He recovered from his moment
airy embarrassment, however, before
even Mrs. Burton Smith could note it,
and promptly offered Mrs. Galantine his
arm.
She was an old friend of his, as friends
go in society. He had taken her in to
dinncr-that is, half dozen times.
"Who is that girl?" she asked, when they