The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-09


ant for poor little Mrs. Lumley 70 meet
some one who was amusing and VINO
svmpathized with her woes; and, as TOT
Vernon. why. until that consulate came
(and II seemed a long time on the waO
he had so little TO do that this was 70
him q delightful way Of filling up the
time.
"She told him all her troubles; how the
Professor was absorbed in his studies;
how he was frequently absent On his lee
turing duties: how, despite the fact that
he was a good fellow and all that' yet
she was beginning 10 feel for him some
thing Ike aversion. She upbralded heI-
self for II IN good set terms. Why was
Il she asked, that the mere sight OF the
red dent on either side Of the Professors
nose made by the pinch Of his glasses,
irritated her beyond bearing? Why was
| Il that she felt no inclination TO tax
with him as she did with others? Vernon
| would try TO answer her and find eX-
cuses for her. and 1t was agreeable Ior
| Mrs Lumley 10 listen 10 him.
but il was risky game 10 play 1here
came an end to It, They were standing
here one afternoon. II was sunshlny
afternoon. and the bright rays made the
waters Of the fountain sparkle ana the
tiles Of the hotels shine again as though
riages were busy. the buses were fun;
iust down the avenue n scarlet coach,
with an enthusiastic post-horn. had ie-
turned from trip into the country Mr.
Vernon was in the best of good spirits.
90 Won know. Mrs Lumley,' he said,
7 am exceedingly sorry to nave 10 say
rood-bv? it has been very jolly to see
YOU and we have been such good friends.
Such very good friends repeated
little Mrs. Lumey sadly
81 had nearly given up, you know,
when the news came. II / only knew
who had interested themselves and run
the thing uGh-Td-Td-have them
oononized. would, really. I'd buy
! them a halo. I'm sure that If it Were
! ever possible for me 10 repay them for
| their kindness, I'd do IT If 1t cost me my
! life. And now. / suppose, we must say
adieu' The young fellow spoke very
earnestly Mrs. Lumley choked a niue
/ sob and held out her hand. lie held II
| for a moment. -,
81 wish / could have spared myself
this he said thoughtfully; I shall think
/ of YOU so much over at Loindici. J de
| clare 49, he took her hand again, and
/ flushed and spoke hurriedly-I declare
| that I'd give anything If only you
! lie looked at her eyes and bent his head,
/ half ashamed.
eff only I were coming with you,
cried little Mrs. Lumley 1mpetuousiy.
She regretted the words the moment they
had left her lips.
vernon turned quickly TO her. lie was
flushed and excited.
do you mean that| he demanded.
"She did not answer.
70 You do mean f. You are miserable
here. Together we should be so HAPPY.
Don't say a word TO me- He spoke lower
and faster. I'll not come further Win
Won now but listen. Meet me AT car
ing cross station tomorrow morning.
start for Brindisi by the il o'clock tram
and l will take you away; l WIN take
you away 10 share and to double my
happiness
lie bent as though TO kiss her white
face. But she turned quickly ana mas
tened across the road
THE next morning Mr.. Vernon drove up
TO Clearinghouse station. For a young
fellow who was about TO elope he looked
singularly Joyous. He was anxious, 100.
lie did not know whether Mrs. Lumley
would come or not, and in his heart OF
heaTts-which really wasn't p"u near
after all-he wished 10 goodness she
wouldn't. But she did.
"Air Vernon stood in the station near
the barrier. The eleven o'clock train was
al the platform: large. excited corpuleht
foreign ladies' were being dragged ABOUT
bv frantic little dogs: mustached gentle
men were gesticulating; there were noun
tains OF luggage being wheeled OIL Dy
persDirlng porters Mis-. Iumley, IN a
dar(-blue travelling dress and coat,
came from the booking oiiice,a deter nihed
look upon her face, in her mana DOOR
of coupons. They shook hands he anu
she, without word.
ch n0IfHT.
They had 10 stand aside 10 aNolu inc
Juggernaut trolley.
land the Professor? asked Vernon.
Mrs. Luniley pulled down her veil and
seemed anxious not TO be seen ihey
were TO all appearances the unhapplesl
couple on the station.
" He has been lecturing down IN Kent
she said brokenly. Ne Will be home tn's
evening
They sighed. -.
Shall / see to your luggage, slr?'
said a porter respectfully. You've M
teen minutes 10 wait
Mr.. Vernon turned TO give the man his
orders and found his hand grasped with
extreme cordially. The grasper dropped
his rince-Lez in his excitement.
''.Afv dear fellow, I'm 50 glad Just 70
have caught you. Let me congratulate
you on your appointment. l happened to
be able to do something trc other day
for Sir Richard. and l mentioned your
name. and the thing was soon done. But
DIDN'T want to say anything TO you be-
fore il was settled
Mr.. Vernons boyish face went very
red
ut is TO you, then, Professor. that 1
am Indebted.
Not at ALL not at all. There is no
Indebtedness. ! owe you much for all
your kindness TO myself and to.
a groan escaped from Mr. Vernon's
lbs 'Scottw he muttered to himself.
what a bounder | ami
"The blue-serge figure turned.
Professor she said.
my dear Aggie,' cried the Professor
with an earnestness quite unusual 10 him;
row this IS thoughtful of you. You got
my wire. and you have taken the trouble
to come up here 70 meet me. l was afraid
there wouldn't be time
There WAS just time said little Mrs.
Lumley slowly.
There was just time repeated Yer
non. looking vacantly at the book-stall.
lie went 10 buy papers.
My dear said the Professor, softly.
Frederick"
81 heard n most painful story down
at Hastings last night and II has made
me think. A man | once knew neglected
his wife. and she. poor woman-she has
just run away from him. When ] heard
Il first ] took no notice OF 1t. Thinking
over II afterwards. | asked myself wheth-
er had always paid you all the atten-