The Press., 1892-09-01
wonderfully charming and clever and

wonderfully charming and clever and and all that, but don't "Oh, he returned at once in decid- edly more cheerful manner, Jacks a good fellow He has brains, too, and will make his mark, depend upon it." Perhaps; but his name is against him. Has it ever occurred to you to wonder what becomes of all the John Smiths in the world? There must have been great many, yet never heard of one who did anything worth mention ing. You cannot imagine John Smith. Junior,' a great statesman or soldier or author or painter or anything. No, no; the name is too utterly distinctive of the commonplace.
 | He joined faintly in the merrinent with which she uttered this sally and then remarked:
 | 'I allow the name has it's drawbacks. For instance, it has struck me-rnore than once, lately-that man ought to hesitate before asking beautiful young lady if she could consent, for his sake, to become Mrs John Smith, Junior.
 The color rushed into her face, but she laughed derisively. "Oh, dreadfuli She couldn't-I'm sure she couldntr'
 "Yet Jack Smith can afford to give his wife nearly everything that the heart of woman can desire"
 "Ah, money is great temptation to some poor silly girls. know
 "But to you?'
 "It counts for nothing. How can you a;k me such question. MT. Josselyn-l thought you knew me better" Her voice softened as she ended, she glanced up at him timidly, and was shocked to see that there was hardly vestige of color in his face.
 "Are you illY' she asked breathlessly. "Oh, what is the matterY'
 Nothing nothing," he replied husk- fly, "the place is so hot and stuffy. Shall we return to Mrs. Lisle and your sis ter?"
 Easier said than done; nowhere could they be found. Frances sat down in the vestibule, while her companion searched the rooms. Just as he returned with the information that they were certainly not there, his friend came rushing up the staircase and sought for readmittance at the turnstiles.
 ''Oh, Miss Lisle," he began, II have just seen your mother and sister home. Mrs. Lisle turned very faint and l was obliged to get her out. We knew you were all right. The cab is still at the door. Will you allow me to take you back also?'
 ''That is not necessary" Frances re- piled ''Poor mamma! She was over tired. Thank you very much for look ing after her."
 The two young men accompanied her to the entrance, where the same offer to escort was again made and declined. There had been 8 lurking hope in the girls mind that the other would volun- teer his company; she was disappointed. He said hardly word, and raised his hat as the cab drove away without again meeting her eyes.
 ''I suppose he is offended" she said to herself. ''Well, I can't help it. After all it is better he should know the truth. do hate all those Smiths, and could never tolerate so close an intimacy, if!- Poor, dear mamma! hope it is noth- ing serious"
 Her fears on this head were soon set at rest by Edith, who met her in the hall.
 !, "Oh, here you are, Francie. I hope you weren't frightened. Mamma is all right now, it was only the heat, but MT. Josselyn thought we had better get home at once"-
 ''Mr. Josselyn," said Frances; ''how stupid you are, Edith. You mean
 ''I mean MT. Josselyn, of course," Edith returned rather indignantly; ''it is you who are stupid, Frances She stopped abruptly, for her sister grasped her arm and was gazing at her with pale face and wide staring eyes. ''What on earth is the matter, Francie? Are you i'll? I'll call papa"
 'tStopl" cried Frances, making great effort to regain her self possession; "call no one-tell me again-the one who was with you, the short one-is"-
 ''Is MT. Josselyn, of course, Francie. Are you out of your mind?"
 "And the other?"
 ''Is John Smith, Junior-you must : know that. Oh, Francie! You frighten me! What has happened?'
 ''Nothing-only 1 have made mis- take, an awful mistake"- She was