Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-11-10
Ircss to which they could safely be re-


Hoxton. Cr0ssbie pleaded In vain. tor
she was still infexibe. though he pointed
out that the work was slavery, thot tns
neighborhood was bad, and that she could
easily get a thousand better places HIS
own rooms there were dark and dirty, and
he found II absolutely impossible 10 write
single line In them. SO he walked
about, and idled in the reading-rooms an
day, returning In the evening 10 sleep the
sleep Of the Infinitely perplexed.
After a fortnight Of II he waylaid Mary
Ann on the stairs one day and relieved
her, despite her protestations, OF ire
mendous bucket of coal which she was
carrying 10 the third floor. And when ne
had finished that little business he began
to plead again, only to receive the same
answer.
"You say you love me. and yet you can
not put up with this much for my sakey'
Il can put up with anything cried the
faithful Crossbie. but l must consider
you. How can I be happy when L have
70 see you shaving day after day In
place like thisy'
was even tender when she spoke again
rs that It really. Dick2 How soft
hearted you are, But IL Will only last an
other week I've found another situation.
and have already given notice"
oh! And what il the new ADDRESS!
asked Crossbie, a slight sentiment OF hope
mlngling with his resignation.
1t Is good place this time, sald
Mary Ann with a smile. "Ninety-nine
Belgraye Square. They don't take dodgers
there, Of course, but you can call TO see
me-if you're not ashamed to visit the
housemaidp'
Crossble flushed slightly. He saw Wis
ion of himself sitting I'm the kitchen
servants making eyes behind his back.
But in a moment his love triumphed over
his dignity.
Il would follow you to the end OF the
EARTH" he said earnestly "or even 10 the
scullery: But this Is 10 be the last
please2'
Mary Ann nodded, and he was happy.
week later she had gone 10 her new
place. and he had found rooms In quar-
ter not far distant from Belgrave Square.
Crossbie's conduct throughout surely
proved that he was finally and thoroughly
in love. There was no lukewarmness
about him. but still he had large share
of self-respect. and the prospect OF
counting" Mary Ann I'm the servants
hall gave him many uneasy moments
He had never thought of asking her TO
meet him out of doors, and, OF course
il was not her place to suggest such a
thing Go he must and 20 ne would.
Anything and everything must be dared
for Mary AIMS sake. Yet his emotions
were terribly mixed, when one Tuesday
evening, at half-past z, he knocked at
the area door of No. ". For q thriving
literary man, who was already non
seek place in the servants hall-to drop
to the level of a follower oh, II was
awful He was glad It was dark, SO
that nobody sitting In the windows or
that great house could see MIN, ana ne
hoped with a great and sincere hope
that the kitchen would be pretty clear
If this adventure should get abroad ne
would never hear the end Of it.
a solemn-looking page opened tho
door, and Crossbie. In a husky voice,
asked for miss Robinson" He was re-
lieved TO see that the imp did not even
smile
yes. sir. Please come this way, SIR"
was all he said; and Crossbie followed
bracing himself for a terrible ordeal.
But instead of being taken to the
kitchen, ne was led upstairs and he
saw, 10 his annoyance, that some mistake
had evidently been made. But before
he could say n word door'~as thrown
open, allowing a murmur or voices 10
reach his ears and a splendid footman
had announced his name in clear, dis
tinct tones.
Mr. Crossbier
Flowers. voices, evening dress. ladies'
he was Vaguely conscious that he was
doomed That idiot of page had Drought
him to the drawlng-room where an eve
ming Of some kind was 6yidently belhs
held Crossbie gaZed around him In blank
dismay, and in another moment would
have bolted to the door. But before ne
could escape an elderly lady sailed across
tho room TO his side.
80 pleased that you have come, MT.
CrOssbie," she murmured. we nave Deeh
expecting you for some time"
Expecting mer said Crossble in the
purest surprise. Il am afraid you mis-
take-it must be some other -
The lady laughed pleasantly.
Come" she said; who could mistake
the author of those delicious Idle Idylls'
i'm the Poetaster? But let me introduce
you TO some of the people here"
She was a pleasant Old LADY, with a
mOtherly face. but Crossbie was too be-
wildered 10 see II. Some awful mistake
had been made-but how did she know or
the Idylls?
Before he could collect his thoughts ne
found himself sitting on a couch between
two gentlemen 10 whom he had been m
trOduced. His amazement was not les
sened when he understood that one was
a notable editor and the other a very emil
nent artist.
How they greeted him, what they said.
what he said in reply, he could never re-
member. He was trying 70 cOntrve a
means OF escape, but was trying I'm vain,
and after a short time his companions re-
sumed their conversation.
yes" said the editor Of Our own Re
view, you may call IL eccentricity II you
please but II Is a good and useful &C.
centricity. We shall have some new light
on the subject now"
do you publish%' asked the artist,
Eyes. / have secured the series. Life
Below Stairs-The Experiences Of a Mary
Ann l think it win 90 Well
CrOssbie started. The familiar sound
had caught his ear. but he soon perceived
that ~ was not his Mary Ann whose name
had been mentioned.
He was on thorns. OF course, there was
only one thing which he could do. He
must 80 10 that motherly old lady and
explain.
II am afraid. madam, that I have been
introduced by mistake. / came here 10
see your hOusemaid, Mary Ann" That
would put things right, but how could
And IL he did not the poor girl might
come I'm 10 answer the bell at any mo-
ment. she would see him and perhaps
speak TO him. In any case, he must speak
10 her-and theni
He rose in desperation, resolved to
brave IL out. But at that moment the
door opened again. and young lady en-
tered. Crossbie saw a vision of silk and
lace, a figure Of familiar beauty, and a
face that he knew, and rubbed his eyes
I'm amezement. For the face was GER
talnly the face of Mary Ann!
He turned TO the editor.
II beg. your pardon he said hurriedly
"Can you tell me that lady's name"
The editor looked up in some surprise
Fancy a guest ignorant Of the name OF
Certainly" he said; her fun name is
Marion Dallas"
Marion Dalas-Marion ballast Crossbis
began 10 see a ray of light. He had heard
that lady spoken OF as being young, rich
literary, and o champion Of her sex, as
thoroughly in earnest as she was charm
ing.
The truth broke upon him suddenly and
forcibly, and he rose TO find the door
feeling dimly conscious that he had been
badly yctimized But before he reached
II Miss Dallas stood before him.
"YOu are not gOingT
Eyes" ne said coldly; II am going.
have been deceived"
She saw his mood, and laid her hand
u9on his arm.
do not think so,' she said softly. "Lei
me explain. The editor OF the Review
....rnDl a fnka IN tho nanan IL H. Il