The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-03-28
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JOANNA'S BRACELET.

On morning early in the spring Of last
year two men stood leaning against the
mantelpiece of room in one Of the gov,
ernment offices. The taller of the two
he who was at home in the room-was a
slim, well dressed man, wearing his hail
parted exactly in the middle, and dia-
mond pin in the sailor knot of his tie. He
had his frock coat open and his thumbs in
the arm holes of his waistcoat The atti-
tude denoted complacency, and the man
was complacent.
"Well, the funny part of it is, " he was
saying lightly, his shoulders pressed against
the mantelpiece, "that l am dining at the
Burton Smiths this evening"
"Ah?" his companion answered, looking
up at him with eyes of envy. "And SC
you will see her. :"
'Of course. She is to come to them TO-
day. But they do not know about our en-.
gagement yet, and, as she does not want to
blurt it out the moment she arrives, why,
for this evening it will be secret. Still,
| thought l would tell you
He stepped away as he spoke to straight,
en- red morocco covered dispatch box
standing on the table behind him. 1t
bore, besides the Haunting gilt capitals, 81.
O." modest plate with the name "Ernest
Wibberley"- name.
The other waited until he resumed his
place. Then he answered, holding out his
hand: ayes, [ am glad you told me, old
boy, and | congratulate you most heartily,
believe me-"
"Thank you, jack" Wibberley replied
II knew you would. rather feel myself
that Fate cannot harm me. | have dined
today"
"Happy dog r' said Jack, and presently
disappeared.
The Burton Smiths, whom We heard
them mention, are tolerably well known in
London. Burton Smith himself is bar
rister, with money and many relations
Irish landlords, Scotch members, Indian
Judges and the like His wife is young
gracious and fond of society. Their draw
ing rooms on the topmost fat of OnsloW
mansions rooms with sloping ceilings and
dozen quaint hooks and corners-are sci
dom empty during the regulation hours.
This particular dinner party had beer
planned with some care. "Lady I4inacre
will come no doubt" Mrs. Burton Smith
had said one day at breakfast, coming ;
list she held in her hand, "and Mr.. May.
But Burton Smith objected to May
''He will talk about nothing but India,
he protested, ''and the superiority of Cal
cutta over London. A little Of these Bonn
bay ducks goes long way, my dear."
"Well, James," Mrs Burton Smith re
piled placidly, the Hon. Vereker May is
son of Lord Hawthorn. He will take me
in and do not mind. Only | must hav,
Mr.. Wibberley on the other side to max,
conversation and keep me alive. Let mi
see-that will be three. And Joann;
Burton-she comes that afternoon-fonr
Do you know, James, when we were a
Temple Rothley for Christmas | though
there was something between your cousiI
and Mr.. Wibberley ?"
"Then for goodness sake do not le
them sit together!' Burton Smith cried
"or they will talk to one another and to n
one else"
every well, Mrs. Smith asserted. "The
shall sit opposite to one another, and MI
Wibberley shall take in Mrs. Galantine
She will be sure to firt with him, and W,
can watch Joanna's face. | shall soon Sc
if there is anything between them.''
Mr.. Wibberley was a young man o
some Importance, if only in his capacity O
private secretary to minister. He has
900 acquaintance and certainly tw
friends-perhaps three. He might b
something some day-was bound to b'
He dressed well, looked well and talke
well. He was little presumptuous, PEE
haps even trife conceited; but wome
like these things in young men, and he ha
infinite tact. At any rate he had nevt
yet found himself in place too straigf
for him.
This evening as he dressed for Dime
as he brushed his hair vigorously or pause
to smile at some refection-his own, br
not in the glass-he was in his bappie:
mood. Everything seemed to be goin
well with him. He had no presentimel
Ol evil IlS was SOiu5 W Il hOusc huOi
he was appreciated. Mrs. Burton Smit
was a great ally of his. And then thel
would be, as we know, some one els
Happy man
aLady Linacre," said his hostess as 81
introduced him to stout parsonage wit
white hair, double chin, and diamond
Wibberley bowed, making up his mir
that the dowager was one of those ladi'
. with strong prejudices, who draw the
i skirts together if you prove home rul,
e and leave the room if you mention S
n Charles Dixie "Mr. May you have m
. . before" Mrs. Smith continued, "and y'
q know Miss Burton, think? p
!. He murmured assent, while she-Joa
na-shook hands with him frankly al
quietly, with the ghost of smile perhaI
He played his part well, too, for a momeI
but halted in his sentence as it flash
across his mind that this was their fiji
meeting since she had said "Yes." |
recovered from his momentary embarrai
ment, however, before even Mrs. Burt
: Smith could note it. and promptly offer
Mrs. Galantine his arm.
She waS au old frtand IF his &c frian