The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-01-25
CHAPTER /.
A LADF'S GIFT.

NJ Francis Roche, junior lieutenant in
one of HIM. infantry regiments, was pro
ceadinp leisurely up Buckingham Palace
road after making call in the neighbor-
hood. some one who was walking behind
him deliberately touched his arm.
Mr.. Roche turned quickly round.
"Pardon me-, said the person who had
laid his fingers on Mr.. Roche's coatsleeve,
"but you are Mr.. Roche, Of the 10th regi-
ment, are you notP
lam Mr.. Roche of the 107th, answered
young Roche.
"Then." said the person addressing him,
who had now removed his fingers from Mr..
Roche's sleeve to his own side pocket, 81
have a little -ah-commission for you here"
and he tapped his side pocket ''a little
commission from-wel, lady"
And MIR. Roche saw by the street lamps
that the man smiled.
"a ladyln repeated Mr.. Roche, inter
ested.
"Yes, a lady" reiterated the person,
though more unlikely emissary of cupid
could not have been seen, land IL you will
we'll, accompany me to-that establish
ment opposite-I will deliver my commits
sion for which-well, for the satisfaction of
all parties-perhaps you will be good enough
to give me a receipt?"
THAT establishment oppositel Do you
mean the old clothes shopn said Mr..
Roche, looking with surprise in the mans
face.
sit is not exactly an old clothes shop,
SIR said the person, moving his thin form
as if deprecatingly, ut is-well, lady's
wardrobe, and is kept by most respecta-
bic and respected lady-in fact, by my wife,
SIR"
"Humphl' said Mr., Roche, for he did not
like the mans looks.
''She has connections, sir, with the first
in the land" said the man, warming appar
emily with his subject. II won't name
names-ladies don't like all their secrets
told-but ladies of title, sir-ladies very
rich, sir-go there-and if you win step
across the road"
but what forP' said Mr.. Roche.
He was only young fellow this, straight.
tall and good-looAing, with tolerably fair
opinion Of his own attractions, as men
mostly have at his age, and he had heard
older men boast and lie about their love adj
ventures but he had withal grain of pru-
dence, and he did not therefore very rashly
accept the mans dubious invitation.
81 repeat, sir, / have a commissions
commission from lady for you" answered
the man. Tit is for your advantage-if
l may be allowed to say So"
Young Roche hestated for a moment,
and then perhaps he remembered his own
good-looking face.
"All right" he said. "It's queer business,
but if you go first I'll follow you; buff you
get me into any trouble-well, it will be the
worse for you"
Francis Roche had dark, bright eyes, and
be looked sharply at the man as he said
this, and it must be admitted that glance
was not reassuring. He saw mean face,
pale-colored, fusty looking hair and
whiSkers, small, yellow-green eyes, and a
general expression of sneakingness which
was not agreeable. Then the lad looked
again, and this time he laughed softly to
himself as his eyes fell on the mans slight,
poor figure, which one blow of Francis
young, strong first could have sent a few
yards across the road without much troubls
to the sender.
HE can't do me much harm, at any
rate, thought Roche, remembering at that
moment with some satisfaction sundry
athletic feats of his own; and SO with a
half smile on his pleasant face the young
soldier followed his conductor across Buck
lngham Palace-road, and up a few steps
which led from the foot pavement to the
SHOPS Then on the doorway of a gladys
wardrobe" establishment the man be was
following paused for moment.
This way, SIR" he said, and Francis
hoche went after him into the shop or room
beyond.
1t was queer place in which he found
himself, among the cast-off garments of the
rlcn But not always of the rich. Here
was strange assortment. A sealskin
Jacket, ball dress which once had hung on
Ialr white shoulders, perhaps, but vohich
was now soiled and changed and maybe its
original owner might be, too!
But we will leave the inanimate relics of
the past, which now met Mr.. Francis
hoches gaze on every side, and turn to the
animate.
My wife, sir,n said his conductor, making
asdelong movement of his lean hand to-
%aro woman who was standing behind
.ne counter, and who had once been hand
some; had indeed good face still.
For 1t was an honest face. But she was
e al old woman; older by ten or fifteen years
tna1 the sneaky, little foxy man who called
Ler MS wife, ard the sneaky, little mau
ooKed 80 at the very least But if he were
sHaH, slight and contemplate, the wife
maue up in size. breadth and good looks
n9s was seventeen stone weight, she always
aiu, and no one who looked 1t her could
the truth. 'P'Ao
But she had black, bright eyes, a clear
pa!e SKIN, dark hair, almost unstreaked
"Hh gray, and firm, strong double chin.
a good-iooking woman of her age, in fact,
aLu honest withal, and her dark eyes had a
ISlV look in them as they fell on Francis
'Vcnes handsome young face.
accents.
Yes" he answered, looking at her
n Uolgiy enough, what do you want with
Inc woman smiled,
sh cont want anything with you, SIR
S fue sad, except am glad to see you
tsas my husband" land she looked afRec-
s orUn9ately at the sneaky, little man who had
rn o;ao; Roche to the shop ''has COM
I .5an for you--a commission from a
, i6ese were the very words the man had
heard them. " --''-0 " -''- ~
"a who is the mysterious lady" he said.
tonr' VIC u0'uie "a 'Ho 0OAiuiAS
y o,j inen the little man came forward wrig-
sung and smiling.
siaa -L-have 1t here, he said, tapping the
as" POCKET Of his coat. "Shut the shop
Roal, my desr" this was to his wife). "Mr.
Hs'" ne continued, advancing 80 near