The St. Johns herald., 1896-12-19
over the advisability of sounding her.

Infee days Iater Johnnie came to Arkwright in a state of great perturba- ton. Mrs. Leyerson had left her house. and Chelsea knew her DO more. It was only by bribery and corruption that Johnnie discovered that she had gone to Scarborough, but probably would not stay there, her plans being unset tied.
 shell surely write to you," said Ark. wright
 But no letter came within twenty four hours.
 Wed better go to Scarborough" said Johnnie's counselor.
 The truant lady was discovered by Johnnie in a stationer's shop on the very day of his arrival
 Audrey was so ill the doctor advised instant change. In the furry I forgot to write to you," she said, after a gasp of surprise.
 Johnnie decided in his haste that all women were liars, and asked when he might hope to see Audrey.
 You may come and call tomorrow morning she may be better then. But think 1t most undesirable, most unde- sirable that you should make any pro- posal to her yet, or entertain hopes that may be disappointed" Mrs. Leverson spoke with conviction, but deferred ex- planation, and Johnnie laid the matter before Arkwright.
 The latter privately debated whether there was insanity or some other cup board skeleton in the girls family, ren- dering matrimony inadvisable, or whether Johnnie had been committing enormities that had come to Mrs. Lev erson's ears but not to his. And he was the more mysti1ed when, next morn ing, the unhappy lover came to him, pale and blaspheming, and told him that Mrs. LeyerSon had again fled be fore him, had left her hotel and brief note to say that she was bound for the continent.
 What is Mrs. Leverson" said Ark wright. You never told me her ere dentials."
 Widow of man in the Carchester regiment; thit's all I know" said Johnnie.
 Then we can consult Major Bag shaw, who Is an old friend of mine. Look up the trains to Carchester, and don't pace about the room like that" Major Bagshaw, who was bachelor, greeted his visitors cordially, when, on the following morning, they called at his quarters.
 He listened gravely while Arkwright told him the strange story of Mrs. Lev erson. Then he cleared his throat and asked impressively, Have you heard of Snaggs' cure for corns?" he looked from one to another for an answer.
 As no one who has ever travelled by rail or opened a newspaper can have failed to have heard of that famous specific, neither thought it worth while to reply to this apparently irrelevant query.
 q know Snaggs," continued the Ma for. deliberately: He's a very rich man, but a self-made one and one who has sufficient sense to know that his education has therefore been deficient. So he determinedto give his only daugh- ter every advantage that money can buy, and two years ago consulted me as to the advisability of intrusting her to a lady of position.
 ''To Mrs. Leverson?" gasped Johnnie.
 "For the sake of poor Dandy Lever son, I mentioned her name to him, and 1 knew he was involved in debt-evi- dently she is still. She was to receive f100 a month and all expense to take the young lady through Europe and to launch her in London. l was not aware that 1t was any part of the agree ment that she could call Miss St. Clair Snaggs changed his name-her niece, but that's detail! I should not have betrayed confidence but for the strange account you gave me of Mrs. Lever sons behavior. Of course, she's In no hurry to see her niece married; f100 a month is not to be lightly lost; but she must be desperately hard up to play her cards like that"
 And what do you advise?" asked Johnnie.
 ''Your feeling in the matter are not changed by my revelations?"
 "Of course not"
 'Then with your permission I shall call on my fellow townsman, MT. Snaggs, who Is, of course, in constant communication with his daughter and put the facts before him. And l have no doubt we shall see the young lady here in a few days; but possibly her preceptress will prefer to remain away"
 The canon's widow thought corn cur ing rather a plebeian trade, but was modified when her future daughter-in- law was brought to her house.
 And lady of good position advertises that she is prepared to take charge of young lady desiring an entree to those exalted circules wherein she her self habitually moves. A confidential interview can be arranged.-Pick-Me- Up.
 
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