The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-07-05


own hand, " replied the lad
what Is it?" asked Mre. 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.
Hurrylng back to her room, she locked
its door behind her, and then, without the
sllghtes5 scruple or the hesitation of mo-
menu, she tore open the envelope to find
| all she feared:
@IAGLIoNI STREET, CONVENT GARDEN,
THURSDAY MORNING. (
DEAR OLD JIP-What happened? I have been
expecting you all the morning, as you promised
to come over first thing and relieve my mind.
nave peen Tearing and fancying all sorts of
things. What little devil she must be! Well,
you'll have to choose between her and me some
time, and you may as well do it at once and
get II over. Anyway come over to me the mo-
nent you receive this without fail OF delay.
Ever your own LILY L1sLE.
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 nowl''
Half an hour of rapid driving took Mrs.
Perry to Taglioni street, lodging house
of more imposing pretensions than she ex-
pected to find in that neighborhood. The
maid who opened the door to her, too,
was as smart 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 unannounced into the presence of the
actress and Mr.. Perry
is Miss Lily Lisle at homer
I'm not sure, madam. What name
shall say?'
After moments hesitation Mrs. Perry
gave her own name, but noiselessly crept
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.
IT wished to see Miss Lisle.''
The maid turned sharply round, her face
afiame at this intrusion, but the hand
some young gentleman, with a look of
fervent admiration of his pretty visitor in
his fine eyes, said: "It's all right, Edith.
My sister will be glad to see the lady when
she comes"
II do hope my sister and you will get
to be friends, he sighed, with profound
usefulness.
s'Why?" she asked, of course, for she
was playing her part of the pretty game
with charming coquetry.
why! Because-because might then
hope for share in the partnership"
II wonder how many companies of the
1s,,l IL .I-
asked laughingly.
'sOf course I've lots of friends among
the actresses, but that's different.
Very different You probably make
love to Them
Every different, because never felt the
faintest inclination to make love to them,
he rejoined audaciously.
There is no installing that hint" she
answered, affecting to rise and take her
departure.
Don't go! Pray don't got" he cried,
Selling her hand to detain her.
Then pray, pray don't be silly" she
replied, resuming her seat.
Nevertheless he still kept hold of her
hand. &
81 know I'm silly, foolish, mad''- he
began, but was interrupted by the sudden
opening Of the door and the entrance of
Mr.. Joseph Perry! His wife with young
fellow making to her passionate declara-
toin of love! He staggered back aghast
and gasped, 'Ellen!" Jim Perry, his
nephew, who was following behind, stood
mute in the doorway watching the scene.
Only for a moment was Mrs. Perry dis
concerted. Next moment the recollection
Of his errand here restored her self COM
mand.
"Well?" she asked, rising to confront
her husband defantly.
II can hardly-have you no shame? To
come here Toto My God!''
II came here to find you, and I have
found youp' she retorted.
Her husband glared at her in stupefied
bewilderment, doubling his eyes and ears.
"Oh, have discovered all-all," she
continued, with increasing vehemence,
taking his look of stupefaction for con-
fusion at being detected.
Have you gone mad? Or is it II" he
cried hoarsely at last, rubbing his forehead
with his hand as he spoke.
1t is idle to pretend innocence Look
at thisp' she CRIED drawing the incriminat-
ing letter from her pocket. AS she -four
ished it before her bewildered spouse's
face Jim stepped forward and looked over
his shoulder
''My letter!' he cried
mo, mine!" exclaimed Adonis, who up
to this point had also been standing in the
background, awaiting further develop
ments.
your letterl' gasped Mrs Perry. 1t
was now her turn to be bewildered, and she
looked helplessly from Jim to Adonis
milne, little Nell, mine, replied Jim,
with perfect composure. ''It is the rule Of
the postoffice that the letter belongs to the
addressee, not to the addresser, and this
young lady has no more right to the doou-
ment than have to the ring which gave
her. He indicated Adonis as he spoke.
"Young ladyp' cried poor Mrs. Perry.
"Why, what on earth does all this mean?'
''It means" said Adonis, 'sthat when I
am not Lord Lionel Lingard in Seeing
Life am Miss Lily Lisle, at your serv-
ice.''
Poor Mrs. Perry glared at her, with rage
and shame in her heart and in her eyes,
II couldn't help it," Lily Lisle said
ALPHABETICALLY. II knew you were Jim's
little Nell from his description, and he
raved so much about you that was jeal-
Gus. There! Forgive me-"
AS she smoke she hA1d ont her bard It'll,