The Washington bee., 1895-10-12

l The Hon. Mrs. Maltravers.
] Fraser her Gardener, ancient, auto
5 cratic, and well-meaning.
: Scene: A Conservatory.
Mrs. Maltravers-'It is very singular
, Fraser, that we shouldn't have single
!. camelia. Now Sir Francis houses
sew them only the other day-are full
of them
Fraser-"Theres a wulgarity num-
about camelias as it doesn't surprise me
Sir Francis-begging your pardon II
he's a partickler friend Of yours-should
have a heap Of 'em. A nasty, snowy
shrub is a camelia, to my thinking,
mum. AS gaudy as you please for a
little; but pick 'em, and in ten minutes
they're as brown as brown-and no good
for nothing. It's hallegorical, to my
thinking, num-"
Mrs. Maltravers-''AlIegor What
in the world do you mean, Fraser"
Fraser-"Well, mum, it's this: Sir
Francis wallet tells masters wallet, and
masters valet he tells me, as how Sir
Francis has lost a lot of money lately,
and, camelias or no camelias, amt half
as rich as you'd think. Took to the
this very morning. No fortunIl stand
that, Chawls,' says I, sententious like.
4 believe you, Mr.. Fraser says he. It's
a pore lookout for our Miss Lyddy,' says
I, as they're going to marry to Sir
Francis, and I'll make it my dooty to
let the missus know his goings on
Mrs. Maltravers with dignity)-"Real-
| 1y: Fraser, you are excessively kind to
busy yourself so much with my-private
affairs. Let me recommend you to look
after your own business-which very
sorely needs your attention. little
more, and mine little less. You do not
know, perhaps, that your candor is
something very like impertinence."
Fraser-"No, mum, I don't. I'm that
fond OF Miss Lyddy Gas favors my own
girl, who died when keeping company
with Mr.. Jones, the undertaken, as was
in a nice way of business, mum, and
buried the county families) as I'd do
anything for her. Sir Francis amt
good enough for our Miss, and that's
the truth. And Miss Lyddy-do she
care for Sir Francis? You take my
word for it, mum, not jot. Why, when
he give his grand ball, I meet Miss
Lyddy a-sauntering slow-like on that
very lawn, and says she to me, I sup
pose I must have some flowers to wear
this evening. Fraser And says I,
agreeing ready: You shall, Miss. Will
you have them there white 'Zaleas, or
steffynotis, or vilets? Name your flow
er, Miss, and I'll do it, oh. don't care
thank you, Fraser, says she with her
smile, only tired lie. 1T don't much
matter. Send me whatever you will
miss least Now, that's unnateral,
mum. My idea is. when young wo-
mans in love. greenhouses and the deli
catest Of plants and the feelings of hall
the gardeners in creation amt nothing
to her. Why, Miss Lyddy herself, when
the Captain was a-staying up at the
house. treated them pots O. lilies of the
valley cruel. Lilies for her nosegay,
and lilies to put in her frock, and lilies
(Which was wicke0 to pin, quite sense
less, on her fan. And all a-cause, I
suppose, Of the Captain saying to her
one day-I heard him, though busy prun-
ing-Iilies are your flower, Miss NAL
travers. / never like to see you wear
any other Or som'a at like that"
Mrs. Maltravers frigidly)-"You seem
to know a great deal more about my
daughters feelings than I do, Fraser.
l must really beg that you will keep
your information to yourself
Fraser-'No, mum, / can't Sorry as
| am to disoblige a lady as has been AL
ways considerate-except for asking oc-
casional for flowers and coocumbers out
Of season. must say my mind about
Miss Lyddy and Sir Francis. If Sir
Francis were sure of his money I
shouldn't have spoke. Moneys a nice
thing, mum. I'm not going to say
tho she don't think Sofia. if Sir Fran
els had been all tight and snug it
nightn't have made up to her in time
or losing the Captain. But it amt. 1t
amt at all. His wallet is an honest
spoken gentleman, and he says to our
chawls: You take my word, Chawls.'
says he, we shall have bust-up at our
'lace afore long And so they will"
Mrs Maltravers-"May I ask if YOU
ire presuming to offer me advice as to
whom Miss Lyddy is to marry?" il
F'raser-"No, mum, not yet; but I'm ;
oming to 1t. If you and master amt !
Dove listening to an old fellow who is !
Ugh upon as fond of her as you are, I I =,
ay let her have her Captain. He amt ,
ot much, cook tells me. But what he :
as is sure. And as / said to nv Polite ,
7hcn the undertaken was a-waIkinp .
With her: 1T amt wealth Jones has 7
larry, but it's sure. Now pictures /
there was picture dealer as had been | y
dangling after herr, they may go out ! 7
fashion or they may stay in, Good | L
ess knows But die people must. fash r
IN or no fashion. And be undertook =
hey must also-by the laws of the |
Ind. It's the same with ISIS Lyddy's
aptain. And she's ond Of him-which |
ont count for much in the hupper
asses I'm aware. but is useful, un- e
,mmon useful t
Mrs. Maltravers "a little less sarcas- g
ask, Fraser, what rea- Il
ms You have for thinking Miss Lydia u
q