The record-union., 1892-06-11

brought for her as much pleasure as he
had hoped to bring discontinue. And
above all he had, in the character of re-
lentless Fate, introduced her to Sir John
Windham McCurrie.
Sir John, G. j., was one of those colo
nial gentlemen whose selt-eSteem atOnes
for the absence Of a great many other
qualities. But he was a man Of affairs.
for although the salary of Chief Justice
in the Wiudward Islands is only $500,
the honor is worth large amount; aud
he owned, besides, profitable sugar
plantation and lived in big house out of
town, where dozen colOred ladies and
gentlemen flew TO crafty his slightest
wish. He was chiefly distinguished in
appearance by a broad red sash worn
around his waist so constantly that ru-
NOR had it he also slept in it-and, in
deed, III Barbados there is no blanket so
comfortable as strip of mosquito net
ting.
1t was much in Mrs. Timbury's favor
that she was slightly awed by the multi
plicity of titles surrounding her at dim
ner. That subdued her girlish spirits
somewhat and made her much moro at
tractiVe. So attractive was she and so
winning that Sir John McCurrie was
smitten and took great pains to make
himself agreeable to her. He felt this TO
be piece OF presumption on his part, for
he was almost 60, and equity at times, and
this lovely young widow, who seemed
scarce past 10, and who had seen so much
Of the world and mingled in the best So
ciety in many lands, might, he was
afraid. look upon him rather as father
than a lover.
Mrs. Timbury soon found herself de-
lighted with Barbados and its charming
people-of whom she had met two.
1T is the most beautiful island I have
seen in the West Indies," she declared;
and anyone who has been in Barbados
will know how her inclination warped
her judgment. 81 was going on to Mar
Unique IN the steamer tomorrow or next
day, but now that l have seen a little of
this island | cannot think of leaving it
under week or tWo.'
And where are you staying on the
island, Mrs. Timbury. Not in the hot
city, trust?" Sir John affectionately in
quired.
''In the Bridgetown Hotel for the pres
ent," Mrs. Timbury replied.
Oh, that would never do. Sir John de-
clared. There was large hotel a mile or
two out of town, tavorite winter resort:
she must allow him, if she would, to
send his sister to her next day to see to
her more comfortable accommodation
Mrs. Timbury shyly protested, but at
length consented.
One single indScretion Mrs. Timbury
committed while in Government House,
and for her to escape with single one
was so uncommon that it is worthy of
note. She found occasion to say to Lady
Clare before taking leave:
Il hope Sir Johns attentions to me at
dinner were not too marked? You know,
| am such a stranger here that 1 cannot
be too careful"
Lady Glare smilingly assured her that
Sir John was man of high standing in
Barbados, and that attentions from him
must be considered great honor.
friend of Lady Clare, frequent
visitor at Government House, specially
under the protection of the sister of the
Chief Justice, Mrs. Timbury's path in
Barbados was strewn with roses. The
Governors carriage was often in front of
the big hotel; but Sir John could not per-
nit her to 60 sightseeing except in his
own coach, driven by his own liveried
darky.
1t was during this period of ecstatic Joy
that Mrs. Timbury wrote to Mrs. Titus in
Martinique, saying that never before had
she so felt the need of a matronly friend
and counselor. Sir Johns attentions, she
said, were too marked to be overlooked:
and she was in daily-nay, hourly-dread
Of committing some act, in the innocence
of her heart that might seem improper
in the eyes of the Barbadians. She had.
she continued, replenished her wardrobe
in the Bridgetown stores, and her stay
on the island might be indefinitely ex-
tended, for Lady Clare positively would
not hear of her departure. On the whole.
she was enjoying herself, and Sir John
was one of the most courtly gentlemen
she had ever met.
Six weeks after the date of this letter
Mrs. Iimbury took her new trunks and
became openly an inmate of Sir John
Windham McCurrie's house, but the Bar
badian sense of propriety was not
shocked, for the former Mrs. Timbury
was then Lady McCurrie.
The particulars of this interesting court
ship could not fail to be entertaining, but
they have no place in this narrative. for
the fate of Mrs. Timbury was settled be-
yond cavil when young Mr.. Quick in
vited her to eat Christmas dinner with
Lady Clare. If he could see her in her
new position of mistress of Sir Johns
establishment, her maids timidly asking,
"Will my Lady have this ?" "Will my
Lady be pleased to lunch to-day?" the
good old Connecticut Deacon would feel
that he had not lived nor died) in vain.-
William Drysdale in New York Times.
oI,