Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-10-26
sEMFWEEKLY BANNER FRIDAY, OCTOBER g. 1894

Mrs. Perry, noting both the wink and
che gasp of horror, turned suddenly to ask
Jim sharply, ''Whero were you last nightS"
''At what hour, little NellP Nine to 10,
was in Gaul with Caesar 10 to II, was
retreating with 10000; II to ~, 1 was in
the peninsula with Sir William Napier
and 10 to 1 was in paradise-aslecp,
dreaming of you, little Nell"
She scrutinized his face for some seconds
without disconcerting him in the least.
As he helped himself to buttercd toast he
asked:
But where did you think I was, little
Nell? You surely didn't suspect me of
such vicious excuses as Maskelyne and
Cook or Corney GrainH"
"Oh, where you were doesn't matter"
she answered contemptuously and incon-
sistently.
Jim glanced over at his uncle with up
raised eyebrows of perplexed inquiry, but
Joseph kept his eyes fastened doggedly to
his plate, looking as much the picture of
troubled guilt as Jim did of bewildered in
nocence In fact Joseph's face would
have suggested, not to say confirmed, sus
picion in the mind of far less jealous
woman than his wife.
Jim did all he could to thaw the black
frost which now set in with grim severity,
but even he had at last to give up the at
tempt in despair. "Since it was hard to
conquer, he had to fly" for at last he felt
as though he were in an exhausted air
chamber. As he rose to quit the table and
the room, Joseph rose with him, and poor
Mrs. Perry was left alone with her con-
Stunning jealousy. Presently she hurried
up to her room, where, for over an hour,
she gave herself up to the fortunes of jeal-
ousy-now trying to fix on rival, and
now devising revenge upon her and upon
her faithless spouse. Then she went down
stairs to give some household direction,
but was arrested in the hall by hearing a
colloquy between the maid and boy mes
senger, which promised to have for her an
agonizing interest
But he is sure to be in for lunch, and
it to hiin then," the maid said.
.,U she tclled me to give it into his
Oyn hand" replied the lad.
What is it," asked Mrs. Perry.
please, 'em, it's note for master that
he won't leave for him." the maid an
swered.
Its all right my boy. I shall take
care that he gets it, Mrs. Perry said,
handing the lad, as she spoke, shilling.
Hurrying back to her room, she locked
its door behind her, and then, without tho
slightest scruple or the hesitation of q mo-
ment, she tore open the envelope to find
all she feared:
2TAGIIoNI STREET, CovENT GARDEN
THURSDAY MORNING.
DEAR OLD JIP-What happened2 have been
expecting you all the morning, as you promised
to come over first thing and relieve my mind
l have been fearing and fancying all sorts OF
things. What a little devil she must bel Well,
you'll have to choose between her and me some
time, and you may as well do it at once and
get it over. Anyway come over to me the mo.
ment you receive this without fail or delay.
Ever your own LILY Isle
Without waiting to reread this incendi,
airy epistle Mrs. Perry flung on the first
hat and cloak that came to hand, crying:
"That was the engagement! He's with
her now!"
Half an hour of rapid driving took Mrs.
Perry to Taglioni street, lodging house
of more imposing pretensions than she ex.
peCtcd to find in that neighborhood. The
WV
was as smart a young person in appear.
ance, dress and manner as could be found
in London. This somewhat disconnected
poor Mrs. Perry, who had reckoned upon
being able to bride the servant to usher
her unannounccd into the presence of the
actress and Mr.. Perry.
"Is Miss Lily Lisle at homer"
''I'm not sure, madam. What name
shall I say?'
After q moments hesitation Mrs. Perry
gave her own name, but noiselcssly cropt
after the maid up stairs. The maid had
only time to say, ga Mrs. Perry" when
our little friend ushered herself in, fully
expecting to surprise the guilty pair to.
gether. Instead she found only an exceed
ingly handsome young gentleman alone.
IL beg your pardon" she faltered.
81 wished to see Miss Lisle"
The maid turned sharply round, her face
afiamo at this intrusion, but the hand.
some young gentleman, with n look Of
fervent admiration of his pretty visitor in
his fine eyes, said: TITS all right, Edith.
My sister will be glad to see the lady when
she comes"
81 do hope my sister and you will get
to BIO friends" he sighed, with profound
wistfulness.
"Why?" she asked, of course, for she
was playing her part of the pretty game
with charming coquctry.
''Why! Becruse-because 1 might then
hope for a share in the partnership"
II wonder how many companies of the
kind you have shares in already" she
asked laughingly.
''Of course I've lots of friends among
the actresses, but that's different"
Very different. You probably make
love to them"