Evening journal., 1891-06-18


cried Mrs Meredith. "Come. now, when
was itf how long agoi"
How longf All, a long time" said Stan
| more, rejecting LET me see. thirty-no,
nearer thirty -fye-years ago. was not
much over twenty
The two women exchanged glances of
| amusement as they saw him fairly en-
barked upon the story.
my uncle, James Stanmore," the mar
rntor went on, was barrister, a most
successful one-a man who had a reputa
| tion Of father confessor almost among the
| people who knew him-full OF TACT sym
| pathy and discretion, as well as frmness
and decision just after had left Oxford
| was at his chambers late one winters af
ternoon, waiting for him to come in, when
there was a hurried knock at the outer
| door | opened il, and woman - "a
shrouded female figure believe, is the
consecrated term-came hurriedly into the
i room
"'Mr. Stanmorep That is my name
said But she said, apparently taken
aback, you are so very young I sup
| pose it was my uncle, Mr.. James Stanmore,
| you expected to see ! replied. Yes, it
was, it was indeed. wanted TO see him
| particularly. How soon will he be imp 4
really haven't an idea,' said. Oh, she
| cried distractedly, what shall doY Can
| give him any message'' | said, or will
/ you write a letterT No, no; won't write,
she said incoherently wanted to see him
himself-to tell him about it and ask his
advice Oh, what shall ! dop and she GOV
cred her face with her hands"
How thrillingW murmured Mrs. Mere
dith.
Il was thrilled" said Mr.. Stanmore,
"and, / must say, extremely anxious to
know what had happened to her."
WAS she prettyf" inquired Mrs. Mere
| dith.
II couldn't see her face in the least
said Stanmore, "for, besides having thick
veil, she stood with her back to the win
dow, and the room was growing darker
every moment Forone moment she stood
silent; then, conscious perhaps, that had
no means OF identifying her, she said: 4
will tell YOU must have some advice
some sympathy; but, mind, | am counting
on your silence and discretion need not
say" said Stanmore again, with a twinkle
In his eye, with what fervor | swore to
obey her commands.
"She then, in low and hurried voice
told me her tale, which was certainly a
piteous one enough. She had left her home
during her husbands absence-left her
home and her child, as she thought, for
ever. Then suddenly on the eve OF quit
ting England she had realized-partly, at
any rate-the full horror Of the future
stretching before her, and with desperate
idea Of, at all events, becoming the legal
wife of the man with whom she had cast
in her lot she made up her mind TO turn
to my uncle, OF whose wise and under
standing kindness she had heard, and find
out from him II II were possible to be-
come free from the husband she had left "
"Of course IL was not" said Lady Dug.
dale, sotto voce.
"Of course not" said Stanmore; $50
much knew even then. told her SO, and
! told her that unless her husband chose to
take steps she was powerless to regain her
freedom. She was staggered by the blow.
Are you quite sure Of thisr she asked
Absolutely certain. replied. "And then,
In burst Of impassioned eloquence, .
Stanmore went on, in which could doubt.
less be discerned the germs OF that forensic
eloquence afterward so justly famous, 81
put before her-prompted by know noi
what passionate regret at seeing her young
life destroyed-the future, the only futur,
for which she could hope, and implorel
her to 20 back to her home while there was
yet time Her husband was not to return
till the next day. so that the evil she haC
done was not past redemption, 50 far as hii
, peace Of mind and her fair name were con
cerned She listened In silence. then burs
into torrent OF tears,
THANK you. she said. as she turned 70
ward the door In spite OF your youth anc
inexperience you have done me a servic,
tonight which | shall never forget. | Sc,
you are prepared to follow your uncle'i
Il 4 4
wise. good man, Ny modesty, which ha,
, always been excessive" said Stanmore
with smile, ''was somewhat abashed a
this, and In order to turn II off ! said light
, ly oh, yes I'm going TO be a barriste
too, some day In fact feel as II . hat
begun my career tonight--you are my frs
client She held out her hand 70 me 81
, lently, and went away
"And thenY said Mrs. Meredith eagerly
J That's ALL said Stanmore al know
nothing more
Nothing more9" said Lady Dugdalc
did you never hear OF her again"
''Never, said Stanmore; "never saw he
or heard Of her. And II had | could no
e have recognized her features, which
never SAW. nor her voice, which wa
! hoarse and strangled with sobs, nor he
3 name, which never heard. So am afrai,
that now must make up my mind tina
, that story is to be forever unfinished.
e have told you all am ever likely to know
= Of it,"
"And just in time, said Lady Dugdale
5 as a pealing ring at the hall bell sounds
through the house
D "rhere she isi' said Mrs. Meredith.
The butler threw open the drawing roor
y door aud announced "Mrs. Clanmorris." j."
d An atmosphere OF social influence an
unimpeachable position seemed to accom-
10 pany the newcomer into the room. He
clothes were certificate in themselves
n the handsome long dark cloak Of stampe
IT velvet, trimmed with the most expeusiv
1, fur; the suitable middle aged bonnet.
II Lady Dugdale after welcoming her e
II fusiyely, proceeded TO make her known I
r the rest Of the party. Mrs Clanmorr
Acknowledged Mrs. Meredith's bow wit
n measured graciousness. then, as Lad
le Dugdale pronounced Stanmore's name,
/ very unexpected thing took place. For Il
"a hrst time In the memory Of the county III
20 Mrs. Clanmorris' manner alter; that Il
minous atmosphere Of serenity that SUI
Id rounded her showed traces Of disturbance
81 revealing dark spots underneath, lil
those OF the sun. What had happene,
'u A sudden wave Of memory, Of gratitud
10 had swept over her. Moved by an irresis
Is ible impulse she put out her hand al
81 murmured some agitated words, which
the dead silence were distinctly audible
ne the amazed listeners:
pc "Mr Stanmorel Can il be your W
TX your first clientr'-Boston True Flag.