Connecticut western news., 1891-04-29
"One uoeS,'' l remarked. sOttO yOce,

'One does, l remarked, SOttO VOce.
 .'She wanted hat the color of this one; so I brought it out and showed it to her and told her the price, and explained why it was so expensive. Oh, don't mind giving that for the hat she said, it is well worth it. l am quite in love with it, Mime. Destrier, but daren't buy it without letting my husband see it. He is so very particular about what wear. Could have it sent round to- night for him to lookat? I would let you know some time tomorrow whether Iwould take it or not Of course said I should be glad to send it, and she gave me the address, and the hat went round there that evening. Last night she sent it back and said she was very sorry, but Lord Loddington didn't think it suited her. I thought it looked aittle tumbled, but one has to run those risks when one sends goods on approval. She had de- termined to have that hat just to wear for the one day, and she was too mean to get it honestly"
 "Of course you'll have it out with her you'll expose her?'' said. -
 Twas as angry and disgusted as Nina, who stood opposite me, with her pretty eyes and cheeks flaming with honest in. dignation.
 "My dear boy, I would if dared, but I can't afford to. It would drive half my customers away from me, and must think of Hugo and Giles. They don't cost much while they are such tinies, but want to give them every advan- tage, the darlings, and was left so bad ly off, and the business is just beginning to pay so well. daren't run the risk of exposing Lady Loddington's meanness."
 'I had forgotten your children. No, see it wouldn't do. Trust me to give her a mauvais quart d'heure, if get the chance"
 Promise you'll be careful. Think of the boys!'
 'sI won't injure the dear little chaps, you best of mothers"
 "Well, in that case, only hope fort une may favor you"
 Fortune did favor me at last, but she kept me waiting till the autumn, like the tickle jade she always is. My chance came in this wise: My uncle asked me up to his place in Scotland for shooting, and I went. The old gentleman is very connoisseur of beauty, and every pretty woman of note is bound to be asked up to D. sooner or later. Igot there in time to dress hurriedly and ap- pear in the drawing room just as my uncle was telling every one whom they were to take in. I was introduced to some girl-I haven't a notion who she was, but gave her my arm and took her down to dinner, murmuring com monplaces on the way. The truth is, I was half famished with my journey and my one idea was dinner. It was not till was well on with the fish stage that I looked at my left hand neighbor. It was Lady Loddington herself.
 'tI haven't seen you since we met at Ascot" she remarked pleasantly.
 She certainly is most lovely woman, by the way. stared blankly, and she went on, with an air of we'll acted re- proach:
 ''I believe you have forgotten we ever met there."
 Here was my chance; I seized it.
 Forgotten! Why, remember every word you said, the color of your gown, and even the very hat you wore-the loveiest and most becoming hat ever saw in my ife."
 The compliment told.
 'I don't believe you do," she pouted.
 "Upon my word do. It was a sort of big affair of amethyst velvet and feathers to match. I remember it with double force because made cousin of mine quite angry with the mere descrip- tion of it. Idon't know if you have ever met her? She has gone into millinery, like everybody else. She calls herself Mime. Destrier.'
 looked Lady Loddington full in the face, and laid peculiar emphasis on the name.
 I never saw any one so thoroughly caught in my life. knew in a moment that she knew knew, as Punch would put it. She turned perfectly scarlet to the roots of her hair, and then quite white, and didn't speak for at least moment. Then she pulled herself to- gether as only woman can, and adroit- ly changed the subject. . But she has been monstrously civil to me ever since, much to the surprise of my friends. am plain and uninterest- ing; l am not parsonage; haven't a farthing-not even expectations-and they can't make out where the attraction lies. They had better ask Mime. De- surfer, of Oxford street, to enlighten them.-London World.