A TINSELLED FLY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 75, 21 December 1907, Page 18

A TINSELLED FLY.

CHAPTER I. NEVER can mako out what ho sees in her, mother." "Nor I, Joan."^"• v -~,' ' • ; ' Mrs; Fromo, widow of'some years, jtanding, glancodiat hor two attractive-look-ing daughters; r>.:f _ " Those aro: tho very words people said about mo thirty yoars ago, my'dears." For shame, mother!" cried Joan. ■ " "To compare yourself and what jou must have been with. Clara St, Aunge," said Minnie." - - • ■ ■■■ . "Clara is very,pretty and ladylike." . "Yes; of courso, mother; but so much of \ it is society varnish . I' m suro sho will never mako Morris a good wife.'' ' • "Don't bo hasty, my dear,'! said Mrs. • Frome, quietly. • "Morns , lovos her very ■ dearly, • and many of tho littlo things wo object to " • 1 ■. " •" Ah!'.' cried. Joan, eagerly, "wo object to Pi Thero, mother dear, you do feel as wo do.'.'' : ■• ■■■': , .'S'Mrs. Frome sighed as sho tos her place at tho'breakfast'table; 1 and shook her head. : "I confess, 1 ' sho said, "that I should not, have selected Clara Sb Aungo far Morris's •wife; but we cannot do as.we like oyer theso matters,'and I feol that much of what no r.i dislike will;die away:iin timo,. for, sho, must love our boy very dearly, ,'and_, will raouldj "herself to-his wishes, and is. ho not ,yeiy ■ Ibto .this■ morning?" '■. i" : ~ "Horribly, mother," said Joan. , Did you hear him come m last -night?", , , "I» Yes," said Mrs Fromo, quietly. , . "Of: courso- mother, .did,", said.. Minnie, "••• " Just as. if sho ,would' go ito. sloop..till sho inow ho r was>back;safe!" , "Hush!" said Mis, Frome, .quickly, and all made believe to be busy..oyer the breakfast preparations,.for there, was a.hasty step outside, and a dark, manly-looking fellow,, or. about eight or nine and twenty entored the i breakfast room, to .kiss., mother and sistors ■: in turn. .... • 1 "Half an hour late, .he said. So sorry.; I You'-shouldn't havo waite.d." ; .-"■ Mother wouldn't begin ti11.,-.yon camo, down, Mor," said .Joan. : '■ '.'And it's too bad of Clara to keep, you so late,", said fMinnie, .archly., -"I ;shall speak . to Lady St. Aungo." .v ' "Ilal do," said the'young man, taking his ■ placo; " but make sure of your ground first. . , " Did ! you.'dino . with tho .Sfc., Aunges last, evening, my, dear?"..said. Mrs. Frome. , ■"No, mother. I was going , to, tell you, only-I. thought the girls had better .'have thoir-fling, first.",; : ■~ ' "Then you were afc ons of those horrid city, | ' dinners," cried jtfinnie.. " Yon . might .have | told us. -Did you bring the menu?"/ .. .■ ~ , " No; dined at the club. ' I say, ,is this .tea :fis'good'asi'usual;?'' .... ....... "I think so, niy dear,", said Mrs. Frorae.' ; : ; \ "Have, some,-bacon, Morns?", asked the elder' sister. ' . .• ' - v';. ■ "Bah! No; not this morning." f ■ "Champagne," said Mmnio,- archly."Poor boy !.'• 'Has lie a. bad headache, then?, •; Oh, lam so sorry!" • , ■•' 'V You look it. You're right,, though. -It was the;champagne; we had a second bottle.' II The prince Svonldn'-t touch any. other ..wine." came'in chorus.' "Oh;''';Morri4 , 'ba7e , yba been dining with .ttio Prince of iWale's?" ' the first .step towards 1 being' made a judge." ' s '"•'■'VTM !>■,"Morris, ..my.dear .boy!,. ... • Tho young : man threw himself back in and merrily. r., " Jher^mother! ; dear,' 111 solvo the .mystery,-," he;saidjjas'he'took aicouple of-letters from -his breast- pocket. j - -Here s . one, a long one, from ■Uncle Robert,, which you can read'in peace.'. '■'.'The " postscript' says <■: :> ■" 'A ' young Indian -swell is i coming /home, by-this niail, arid lie -will bring a note; of introduction'from me.' He's son of the 'Rajah : 1 of HoWdah,; .and' is': coniihg -to «•; tho •. English law : for 'a couple-of yeairsl: ®o; what' you cari v for Him] You being;a:barrister,';;it . may'do "you ;'and don't study, expense. I'lhmako that fright you.' ."- '< f'Oh'l" exclaimed the sisters, in a breath.', "Two; hours' later,;; who should'• knock'st my' 1 outer: door ; .but • the fellow.himself,-', wivii rinclo's<note to'-introduce^hiirf." ....

"Oh, Morris! Is .lieUn. native cpstnme, ind wearing emeralds arid'.diamonds ?'' ; -y, "No,- ;he:isn't,''. said'.Morrisi'Frome,dipping liis tea. ; ; ' " What, is ho like', tbon?", .. ;' • ' ,i : • "Like'<'ahyb'ody ! else." : 1 ... .»ii ■ ''But: lie's, an;lndiaii." ■>, i./;. . '. "What of' that? Half, the educated In- • dians are i'quiet; 1 gentlemanly., feliows."^:. , •'But did you take him ;:to: the .club to ■ dinner?" ;. ■; yv; -y:A~ .■ "Of course." i j'.:;-. ,;vi " Didn't It make.ia.sensation?/'} • 1 "Not a bit."-jv,; E ;- v ,- ■■ t--v Oh, do tell- us; what; he's, like,. Morris," \cried Minnie. • li;"Rather dark, and good-looking: n:Talks ■ well,v:and is quito at home. I was ,s'o busy witk hjra/that I; hadn,'t,' timo to,'iv;ire-rthat^iis, I .. But-you wouldn't', spend all, the evening i drinkmg champagne, " No,. but I believij he,.'could," said Morris ;. Frpm?.',; -JI: felt'hound,' iridthery after what Undo Koh said/to, offer him a. bed; , but ,116 ■ wouldn't*;'hear...,pf'lit;',Ho", said : he'd, hoard , ihat ;the Magnum was. .a , 'godd hotel, ,arid te'd had "his luggage "sent there; "but' .'hii came, and dined with me." ■. '

And he'saMea! prince?";' : ; I I suppose sol;'' . A;' '' . . 'I " Oh,' do "bring hiih'.homc, Morris." ' " What for? For you two girls to make geese''of yourselves about' Him P*-'Net 'iMy."; " Morris!"- cried 'the,sisters, indignantly;.' : *'•' " Well,"it's' probablo enough. uTnere was a oaso dnly'the 'other 'day in.'the ipipers"of : a girl marrying a -Persian"'mirzdj- and" going home with .him,!'tb ;findi •Jl/s. Octavia, or something of ,■ tho kind." ; '" I think you arerory hardupon your ! listers,"Morris,'? 1 said i.Mrs.' Frome, gravely "So I.am, mothor deai ; ; ",saidithe young! man, ,frankly."Bit .cynical; this morning, girls:--It's;thechampagne.", « A quiet,, .matter-of-fact . discussion tH'en ensued in.tho.,little!.family, ; party""as to„tho* ■best way of ...treating the: visitor, .who came with such credentials from the wealthy,uncle sin India. .The .girls were;for feting him extensively, but. Mrs. Frome', .'after Listening' ,in silence/sai(J.'"'l; ' y.; ".No, I , am: sure my brother Robert would,,not: wish lis", to go ' into extravagant! .expenses .t'p/.welcoinci! this ' friend ' of r His. He knows, oxactly our circumstances, arid 1: shall ,'riiako no' in our way, of living. ,If•_;tliis„ gentleman .'likes'! to" visit us in-"our • . '.modes,t' home,' : |ie''shall bo' madti; very' frel-' come, ana ii' he is a sehsiblo young 'maii'h'o will. respect us-thomoro for behaving as wo shall." ■ . ' " . _ . "But, mother dear, ba is a prince in his! ''own country." . < "And a gontloman, my child, and wise, : as ho shows himself'to'bo, by travelling to' enlarge his mind." , ; " But wo must 'do" something, mothor,"' said Joan, '[ Of course you will ask him todinner?" Certainly,'my deer, and givo him as gjod a.modest dinner us we can." : "Then wo musthavs a now carpet.' -Look; How'worn this one is." ' - ~i: " Yes, it is old, my _ dear;" ',said 1 Mrs.; Frome,'quietly; " but it; is good." ; j " But so, faded, mothor," cried .Minnie. ' "Bah! Bosh!" said her brother. "Hold! your tongues, girls. Mother's right, and I will not nave a thing altered. Tho princo seiims: to bo a'very sensible, iriarily'fellow, ■ without any■ airs and nonsense.' Ho quite took to my dusty old chambers, and the carpet's bad enough there." _ , Disgraceful 1" said Minnie. " Yes, but my clients don't mind," said: Morris, drily. " Look here;'l'm riot such a bad judge of a man. and I watched Rajah, junior, pretty closely. Ho likes a good dinner and a good cigar, and I don't think there's a bit; of prido in'him.' If you■ girls begin playing, at. make-believe you'll disgust him, and what, will bo far'worse, disgust your mothor and me; Morning ; I'm off." " For a morning call, upon .Clara,"- said Joan, mischievously,

■'No, to read hard at a brief which I.put asido yesterday to do honour to uncle's itriond."

CHAPTER 11,

, Morris Frome did htifc see his visitor for threo days, and then -lie looked up at tho Magnum, and: stayed to dine, coming away with tho .fooling that tho young Indian was a clever,', shrewd fellow, careful of his monoy, though riot ungenerous. Ho was evidently determined to mako tho most ..of. his .-time in London, saying that ho had 'spent, threo days in looking about, and that,-ho -could seo .all ho needed more by degrees.. Hotel .living was too expensive, ho said; not that ho could not afford it, for his father, tho Itajah, put no limits on his 0ut1ay..,.But .what is tho. use of paying twico as much for;. things you',don't want, just bocause you'aro. tho, son. of. an Indian prince? T,want,'.quiet, comfortable chambers, whero I, can,read..and. study.;;'a'clevor tutorand ; a few hints as to where I can dine quietly, and, meet English gentlemen. If you will help mo to all this I shall be most grateful. That was my object in asking your; undo for thoiutroduction.''..,'. ■ Morris"Fromo gavo tho help; invited tho ■' prince' lioirio ' arid .'in a short time lie was tree of th6r{)lac6,'and ofton dropped in of an evening; l to the girls''great delight. Ho won' golden; opinions; .by his quiot, shrewd exSressions of thought; arid before long certain reariiy fancies filled-Minnie breast in; connection'' with the possibility of somo day -seeing/'lndia."Do you like tho 'princo, Morris?" Baid Mrs: Frome,'at tho end of a fortnight. : "'Welh' frankly, mother, I .don't think I do:" : . jv. ;ja if you do not like?" , rMorris'was-silenb for a few minutes. Don't know," ho said. • "He's quiet, st'udiius', 'gehtleirianly, 'and all that sort of thing,''but it's' insular prejudice, I suppose. Hn's j an-Indian, and" wo should never be friends." : "''No,'" , ; said 'Mrs.) Frome, gravely, " but l ain beginning to bo'afraid." ■:"Atraid? 1 \Vhatr'about?" ■ " Minnie." What ! He has not dared !" "Dared: ray dear? He would thinki ho condescended. • ' • ■ ' 'Confound him for. an insolent nigger!" cried Morris. ; ■" Minnie's 1 ; a . little, gooso. Ohj 'ini' soori put a stop to' that. I'm not going to toady' to a man because bo's an Indian • phnroj'T-l'l'pr. uncle's 'sake --.I'll .do all he wishes,"but : I'm'not going to have our home upset by'any folly, of that kind. Why, even if ; it;'were.'sincere on his .part, it would be ' ' . Quite, my dear," said. Mrs. Frome,, gravely;"but do not be rash. Wait a little' while.; As you know, these petty social difficulties often settle themselves." ; . "Very ''w6ll;' mother,' but. you- will take cjfro that Minliio does not. make a little idiot of herself ?•"•' '

V "'You'may trust me,.my dear," said Mrs. Frome, sadly! "I am trying, and may as well'tell;you that the trouble is doubled." "'How'doubled?" . , ■ Joan. is-as ; niuch.:at fault."Joan!*.',; Is,'tho dark-eyed foreigner so magnetic?" • . i ; Yes, »my'dear,' and it is in the complication, thatl seo tho.way out of tho difficulty."

;.;j ; CHAPTER; 111. ; . But there was another way out, quite unforeseen. ■ had her curiosity pityUedrb?' tho 1 knowledge that a l ,real Indian grinoo was a constant visitor, at the Fromes'. he had questioned Morris,: and. learned the partibulars r 6f .v.tho '.-acquaintanceship, and : Won' bfter, quite'by acoident, .she and lier daughter paid' a call-—one day when tho prince was at her neighbour's. Tho dressmaker.:an'd milliner had done their best for both; .' 'Lady,' St. Aungo was as magnificent as-good taste : would-aljow ; Clara, exquisitely charmiiig ,iri' her 'simplicity ..'.: _' •'.Tho'result was a warm invitation to 4 Kensington "Square, which the princo accepted, and 'time went onj'with Morris i Frome so much"taken' hp by important casesxin which, to 'his r groafc.'dellglitji lie had been chosen'as junior, that ho paid littlo heed to the princo And'his proceedings, .save that ho noted the :was' not- so frequent in his visits,-,, whilo-on his Wn part ho was fain to cbnfess. that- ho had boon rather neglectful of 'his:.friends lh -Kensington Square, and made a point'of excusing himself one evening whori ho .dropped in. ;;<! - , ; M;"Silly: boy,"'. said' Lady, St. Aunge, laying her lace'.handkerchief on his arm, as she gayehiuiloiie of'her; sweetest smiles; "as if wo did not knowi you were;too busy to waste timo over two weak, .foolish women. There, there, wo know,' Morris," she continued, raising the scrap-of cambric, which showed liko aT big' wafor amongst a burden of lace, to his-shoulder, ''Clara, and I devour the "Times,"; and aro so.happy when we seoyour namo in tho law reports. You will be a judge, my d©ar boy j- will he not, Clara V "On, yes, mamma," cried her_ daughter, with her ,- beautifulr- face ; dimpling charmingly, and enticing, littlo wrinkles of perplexity contracting her. brows. "But it all seems so dreadful. ' I' shall be . quite afraid of him when ho is;a judge, antl in.one of those-big'wigs."''i' ! ■■ . "J don't think you need .be alarmed," said'' TSlorns/' smiling,'' but somohow feeling a'little chilled in.tho .face of so much sunshine. "It is no't likely." • "Oil, but tho princo said you wero suro to bo a judge somo day ; didn't he, mamma?" ■ '.'.Ves,;: .my darling," said Lady St. Aunge, shaking' out her' s lace handltorchicf before delicately touching h<T lips. "Ho told'us,'Morris/that the gentlemen at tho hall where ho is entered now to eat his dinners talked a great deal about you and j our,'forr—for—for —" — '.'i'oiensic,, mamma.'! , "Yes. my . love; forensic powers. They have all 'marked you'out for solicitor-gen-oral- and' thon a' judge." Morris' Frome ended his visit as usual, bady St- Aunge dabbing him tenderly with her lace .handkerchief, and Clara beaming upon him'in ,her. sweetest way; but he behaved'differently as soon as he was on tho pavement, ; for' 'he walked off hurriedly in the wrong .. "Ucr.ifiiful," he muttored, -"she is bewitching, Let T. do wish she would not bo quito so— '.hero; simple jtfid innocent. It's tho mother's fault, though, with her confounded sickly ways:. D—n that laco handkerchief! " I'Jalways feel as if I could tear it into shreds.. Ptihl I can smell it now. A' ,Clara; sbsli never use that sickly scent when'.'she; is; niy. wife. • A judge eh? But confound tho.pi;!UC; M What in tin world did Uie : .w'oirian invite i:''ln thore for t There, ,th:it'„will;'d'o.' i Slater v. Morrison's jfixecutors./-;;.V<'N.ow; thon,., what' about that deed in connection with tho feoffees?" Morris i'rome.'forced himself into his legal groove and Worked . hard .agaiu, though, truth to,',tell,'' Lady St. .Aunge's lace handkerchief: and''her daughter's angelic face would intrude fr6in time to timo; That night'/there;,were scented• notes at homo, invitations to 'n quiet'littlo dinner, written 'in tho' most affectionate way by charming- ClaraV in- tho prettiest of hands, begging ,that Mrs/ Frome and hor daughters would join : them threo ' days'honco sans ceremonio tit • a sirriplo littlo meal. Morris winced slightly as he opened his note, for.tho paper exhaled. Lady St. Aunge's favourito scent; but ho. smiled and folt happy over tho pretty prattlo conneoted with tho command that lie must corno. It would rest bis poor tired ( brain from the 'tiresome law, and if ho wero a good boy ho should, have somo music. ' "Aro we to accept, my doar?" said Mrs. Frome, and tho girls watched and listened fo'r the answer. • "Accept? ; Of courso," ho said in wonder.

CHAPTER IV. 'l'ho evening came, and with it tho hired brougham to take the Fromqs to Kensington, where tho ladies' winced in their simple costumos as tlioy were received by Lady St. Auhgo arid her daughter, both patterns in a 'modiste's eyes of what should bo worn at a'dinner. Mamma was displaying tho family diamonds'and pearls, and sho had lont her daughter a handsomo' old necklet of the. lat-

ter, which looked charming in their nest. In short, Clara had never seomed so lovely in Morris Fromo's oyes. There were two gontlomen presont, one very old, the other very young; but somo--0110 clso to complcto tho littlo party was awaited, and a curious singing camo in Morris Fromo's ears as, a little later, ho hoard the servant announce— "L'rinco Lijee Singh 1" Lady St. Auneo kissed her daughter that night in her bedroom, when Clara camo in her dressing-gown to bring back the pearl necklet. "Thank yon, ray darling sweet," said mamma, sighing. "Oh, I am so weary, weary, weary. Take my handkerchief, wet it well with scent, and dab my temples lovo. •' "Hah! That is refreshing. It was a most successful dinner." "But it doesn't seem fair to poor Morris Frome, ma," said Clara, with a tiny sob, as she dabbed her mother's temples; "and lie's a deal nicer than the prince?" "Silly child! How can you bo so absurd? Lijeo is adorable. I could almost feel', jealous of you myself. Only to think I His father so old, and for him soon to be Rajah and so great and important a supporter of tho Indian Government. My daughter at the Governor General's balls, covered with antique jewels. The Raneo Clara. Oh, my child, ray child: what a happy girl you are!" "Am I, mamma?" said Clara, with her faco all dimples and puckors; "I suppose I ought to be, but I do wish ho was not quito so brown." < "Drown! Absurd 1 Sun-kissed —tho kisses of ail ardent land. Dear, dear, if I wore but young- and beautiful as you. Thank 1 you, dear; put them in the jewel-case. All, how lovely you looked to-night 1 you needed no pearls." , •"I doclaro it's horrid 1 , Minnie," cried, Joan that night. "Tho scented old jewel-stand is selling her child to a nigger, and tho girl is as'bad as her mother. Well, poor Morris's eyes are open at last, and ho has had a very narrow escape." ■' Strangely enough, after kissing her son affectionately on parting for tho night, Mrs. Frome had. said something very similar to herself about her son's cyos boing open now. '■l J oor Morris!" she sighed. "How liko a man!. Ulinded by tho brightness of a couplo of beautiful eyes ; fascinated by tho glamour of a soft, sweet face.- Thank God it is at an end! Ho would have awakened soma day from his droam when'too late—too late."

CHAPTER V. 'l'hero was an end to the intimacy with tho ladies of Morris Fromo's homo after this, the princo never venturing to call; but Lady St." Aungo brought her laco handkerchiof and hor - daughter . to , call as of old, smiling sweetly upon heri dear, dear friend Mrs. Frome and her sweet daughters just as usual, and inquiring after Morris. "Ah I" she would oxclaim, laying her handkerchiof, with an affectionate gesture upon Mrs. Fromo's arm, , "if -1| had had such'a son!" . - - ■ ■

"How can you listen to her, mother, without quarrelling?' It all to show off .her nasty. fooling of triumpL." • . : "Sho is welcome to har triumph, Minmo, replied the lady; "I.am satislied. Sho has relioved me of a great droad." ' Morris heard and Saw everything, but tho name of Clara St. Aunge was never, spoken in his .presence. Ho did not play tho disappointed lover, and go about tho house si"bing, but devoted himself more energetically than over to his profession, and whim by chance ho encountered tho prince, there was a coldly formal interchange of courtesies. .That wi.; all. • "1 have iio right to' quarrel with beoauso I was a weak-minded noodle, ho M- "but I'm not going to listen to his raptures about the beautiful woman .ho mea)v to marry, I supposo. But tliat wretfied woman ought to be warned about takine proper precautions, and making the ncoessury inquiries as to ; tho fellow s antecedents. I suppose she has somo relative who will .see tho matter through. It s not my business, and I could not be mixed up with it. Eyes rather too wido open now. Bat' 1 • What a fool I waL. and What .weak ere:; women can bo vheii thcro is^a titlfc "Viycd beforo their eyes like a lure. It did" como, though, like a surprise when a couple of months later ho hoard casually that thero was a wedding on tho carpet. That evening tho ico was broken at homo, he using the mallet. _ "Did you people know that C/lara. ot. Aungo was .to b« married directly to this igger?" ■'Yprl" came in chorus. ir Wl;y didn't you toll me? , • "How could we tell you, Morris dear, when .you took tlio matter so much to heart?" said Joan. : "Pooh! Absurd! Mothor, you should have told me." —__ Mrs. Fromo gave hor son a deprecating "But what have you dono?" he said. :"-iVo you spoken to Lady St. Aungo about ll *''No, dear. How can I interfere? It would bo prosumption on my part. Surely voi; trill not oppose tho marriage in : any way?" . , ~ ... ... ,"IP No," ho said, coldly. "I,can never enter Lady St. Aungo's doors again, but I should bo sorry if trouble. arose for peoplo with whom wo havo been moro than friendly." . Mrs. Fromo looked wistfully at her son. " It would bo absurd to interfere," said Joan, shortly. , "Of course," cried hor sister. Morris Fromo said nothing, but turned upon his sisters with so meaning a look that Minnio burst into tears and ran out of tho room, followed by Joan, who declared that it was a sbamo. "You aro quite right, mothor, said Morris, after a few moments. "Lady St. Aungo, with all hor sickly gush and .dependent way of turning to ovorybbdy, is a thorough woman of tho world. 1 hope sincerely, though, that sho is not making a mistako— for her daughter's salco."

Timo glides swiftly onough away for everyone but tho engaged at a timo liko this, and in this case, conscquont, as, Morris hoard, upon tho Rajah's state of health and

tho necessary oarly return to India of his son, tho preparations for tho wedding woro hurried forward, tho Fromes among othors receiving tho mockery of an invitation. Morris's faco was liko a stono when he opened tho onvolopo, not a chango of expression following as ho sat back in his chair, watched by those who waited for him to speak. "Declino, of course," ho said; and ho left tho room to go to his chambers. About three weoks later Morris Fromo took up his letters at breakfast, and frowned slightly on seeing that ono bore the Calcutta postmark. ' ' "Lottor from uncle," ho said, quietly, and, settling himself in his chair, ho read tho missive aloud, with all its chatty news, talk of ailments, and threats of coming Homo to settlo down near them, etc., etc., finally all affoctionato greetings, and signature. Then camo a postscript written across the lines, 'and so hard to road that the perspiration stood in big drops on tho young barrister's brow, and ho let tho letter drop, arid turned whito. . , , "Good heavens, Morris! what is it? cried bis mother.

"Read," ho said; "read." „ . Mrs. Fromo caught up tho letter. Not dying?" "No, no; read," ho said, hoarsely; "road." | Mrs. Frome raised tho thin paper with trembling hands, but tho words danced before- her swimming oyes, and sho held out tho note to her eldest girl; but Morris lmd recovered himself, and snatched it away, to thrust it into his breast and rush out. Ho leaped into tho first cab, and told tho .man to drive fast to Kensington Square, whore lie spraug out and toro at tho bell. " Show mo in to Lady St. Aungo at onco, ho cried to the startled girl. " Hor ladyship isn't at home to anyono to-day, sir," ropliod tho maid. "I must see hor at once. Hero, stand 8 Ho'stepped forward and turned' .into tho broakfast-room, whero Lady St.' Aungo was standing with her daughter, who uttorecl faint cry and rushed out of the room. , f "What is tho meaning of this intrusion? criod tho h\dy. "How dare you comc bore after what you have done? "Am lin time?" he cried, wildly. Yes, of course, I must he.' It was to-day—to-morrow, was it not? 1 ' , . "Oh, Mr. Frome,. how tore" you come here?" , u "To make you—her mother—read this, bofore it is too late." "Read? Read what? No, I cannot read," cried the lady, hysterically. On, Morris Frome, how dare you come hero after what hasniassed?" .. , "I wasVobliged, for your—for Clara s sake. Listen —this lottor —from my uncle in India." : "Ah I" shrieked tho lady. "Never-men-tion India to mo again." "W'timan, will you he silent and: listen. My undo says, 'If that man"l. wrote about over comes to you with a letter of introduc-

fcion, hand him over to the police. Ho is a roguo—a'swindler.'" "Yes, yes, a swindler,": wailed the lady. . "'Ho is only a natural son of'the Rajah of Howdah, who has oast him off because lie has robbed and plundered him till ho will bear no moro. Ho borrowed of mo to como over to England at his father's wish, ho said, but it was all a lie. Thoro is not a moro plausible scoundrel unhung;'" "All, and all your fault," cried Lady St. Aungo, furiously now. • "You introduced him to me, and he has disgraced us in society for over." _ "But," cried Morris, "they, are' not married?!' ( ;... . "Married? No. It was to; have been yesterday, but lie did not come- : "Did not come?" cried Morris. "Thank Heaven.!' "What! When not only has he taken all ho could get of the beautiful wedding prosonts, but my pearls and diamonds as well. And all your fault—all' jjour doing, Morris Frome; you introduced him, and it:will ho the ruin, and death of me.. Leave ray house —loavo my hbuse at onco. It will be the death of mo." ' • "But tho salvation of your child, you miserable woman," muttered Morris. 1 Then aloud, "Have you communicated with 1 the police?" "Did you think J was going to let the miserable cheat cscapo with all that plunder sir? Of courso I did." . 4 Morris waited to hear no more, but hurriod out. ■ In tho courso of the next weok, though, tho affair was common property, through Lady St: Aungo's act. For tho "prince" was taken by the polico with his pockets full of pawnbroker s duplicates, though strangely onough ho had not yot disposed of Lady St. pearfs° S family diamonds andi The reason oamo out at a police-court oxammation, whoro the family jewels wore placed beforo tho magistrate, and in his deforce the princo complained bitterly about bomg kept under remand about such trumpery as lay upon tho table; for ho had bcon cruelly deceived, Lady St. Aungo's poarls being only French, and tho diamonds nothing more than past?, Ho wont for trial a,l the samo, and obtained his dosorts, where tho fact of his being a rajah's son won no respect from the wearers of tho broad arrow pattorn suitsbut Konsington knew Lady St. Aungo and her pretty daughter no more.