LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1941, 14 May 1880, Page 3

LITERATURE.

MY WIFE'S MOTHER Chapter I. My name ia lUton, and I am a qniet man, addicted to books, refleotion, and a pipe after supper. Born in a retired country village, I emigrated at an early period of my existence to London. My funds were moderate and my aspirations large, but as I had no very definite plans, I aocepted the offer of a worthy uncle, who agreed, if I would find the means of existence during the time, to pay all fees, and assist me further with his advice and connection in going to the bar. I entered myself as an incipient barnster-at-law, and then by great good luck obtaining an engagement on a daily paper, prepared to pass the year of my novitiate in study and hard work. My duties were diurnal. I accordingly divided my time into two parts, during one of which I devoted myself to the examination of my law books, the other to earning my livelihood. I had taken a room near Fleet street, but I soon found that after the country it was too confined. I was brought up where the green and pleasant fields greeted my eyes earh morn, and the fragrant breath of flowers agreeably assailed me on rising, so that Fleet street for me had no charms. It was in vain that men told me of its his torical associations, of Richard Lovelace, and Chatterton, of Salisbury's palace and the playhouse, of Richardson and Alsatia, of Goldsmith and Dr. Johnson, and a number of other celebrities connected with this noisy locality. I would not have giren an acre of meadow for all their musty reminiscences ; so took myself out of town and searched for lodginf 8 in merry Islington. At all events I should be within reach of gr--en fields, and I made wonderons resolutions aB to early rising, to enjoy rural walks, without which I should never be able, I was quite sure, to preserve my health. Behold me, then, wondaring through tho streets of that vast suburb, in search of a

place where, to find repose and opportunities of study.

A neat, clean, pretty house, with a garden in front, lilacs and all that, attracted my attention, and impelled by I know not "what myserious attraction, I pushed open the gate and entered.

Scarcely was my hand upon the knocker of the door, when it opened suddenly, and a woman in cap and ribbons appeared with a bobbing curtsy, ' What do you please to want, sir V I started., Ihe woman was about fortyfive, neat, priro, with a rublcnnd face, and a cold grey eye that was particularly piercing; but withal kindly manners. It was her voice {that startled me—it was ao curt and sententious.

' I wish to find quiet lodgings,' I replied, in a very mild and even timid tone. She sternly asked me what rooms I required, and discovering that my requirements extended to a drawing-room and a bedroom, her air became bland and smiling, and, with a second curtsy, she showed me upstairs The drawing-room floor was whvt Ehe offered to me I entered its precincts with something of a sensation of awe. Kverything was so neat and clean. The muslin curtains were so purely whitn, the chintz srfacover so starched and stiff, with a general outline of old maidenishness, which ought to have fiLirmei me. Bat I am of a peculiar temperament. T can never back out. Had I possessed a wife or sister I Bhould have said—

' The apartments suit me very well, but I must let Mrs So-and-so come and them '

I should then have backed out, and appeared no more.

Bad T possessed the courage to prevaricato I should have invented some such excuse on the spot, and have equally vanished. But I had not the courage, so quietly took out a sovereign, laid it on the table, and in this hasty manner became Mrs Graham's lodcer.

_ I then took my l*ave, after ordering tea at six, at which time I announced my intention of returning with my things. Once in ths ttreet I breathed mora freely. I wss b yond the influence of one whom instinctively I dreaded. A vague idea flashed across my mind of sacrificing the deposit, and seeking elsewhere, but besides ihe simple fact that I could not afford to lose the sovereign, my manhood w»s indignant at toe prospect of fearing a woman. And jet it had always been my weakness. If I ever stopped out late, or was behindhand with my rent, or some fast friend made a noise in my room after hours, it was with absolute fear and trembling I next day faced the female Gorgon whose undoubted right to fi id fault erected her into such alarming pro portions in my sight. Now, however, all was plain sailing. I had paid my money in advance. I was in possession of the best apartments in the house, and in consequence entitled to preeminent consideration. I was determined not to allow my forebodings of evil to alarm me. Chaptbr 11. It was six o'clock. My portmanteau and carpet-bag had been taken upstairs. I had on my way to the house purchased the necessary groceries, whioh had been duly conveyed to my apartment. The fire burned cheerfully on the hearth, the kettle steamed upon the hobb, the candles were lit, and I had sunk into the cosiest of arm chairs, when a knock came to to the door. 'Come in,' Enter landlady with many bows and courtesies, after which she said - ' Mr Elton, pray 1b there anything I can do for you ? Ton have only to ring, please, and Mary shall wait upon you.' I gave some trivial orders, and then when she had left, opened my b~x, took out some books and papers, and after ringing my bell, subsided into study. My door opened. I beard a rustling of female dress. My tea was made, a gentle voice told me tea was ready ; but so great was my abstraction that I raised not my ey 03 for some minutes, I was alone. My tea was made, my toast buttered to a turn, as if by magic. ' What a wonderful woman, to be sure,' I thought, and Bat down to tea with a zo=t and enjoyment I had not known for some time

About an hour later, when again absorbed in my studies, a gentle knock came to the door.

I again raid ' Come in,' and then, to my surorise, a sylph-like form glided into the room.

It waß a girl about sixteen, with ruddy cheeks, jet black eyes, long waving curls that fell upon a Bnow-white collar, who, with some little hesitation of manner, asked if she could clear away. 'Certainly, my dear,' I said, rising involuntarily. • I h ped you liked your tea, sir.' ' v ery much, indeed. Tell Mrs Graham I was deliuhted. By the way, I nerer heard she made it'

• I made your tea, sir.' I bad th« greatest mind in the world to »Bk her who she was. I was sure she was no domestic. Her manners forbade the suspicion. I don't believe, I never did, and I never shall, in any sane m»n actually rushing headlong into all the intricacies of the tender ration in five minutes ; but I do believe in a kind of consciousness coming over a man, a flutter of the heart, warning him to flee in time or that he must succumb. I was carried on by an irresistible attraction. For a man of my temper, I hit upon one of the boldest plans ever conceived by mortal man. f Tb Mrs Graham in!' ' Yes, s'r.' Now, my dear, will you answer me a plain and straightforward question ?' 'l'ertainly, sir,' the black eyes being opened, bevond their usual width. «Then does Mrs Graham like a nice little cosy Rnoper?' I said.

'Sir!' ' I say, docs or does not the excellent Mrs Grak*m—relict, I suppose, of the defunct Graham—like suppers?' ' She does, sir,' said the damsel, smiling. ' Mary !' in a sharp and somewhat peremptory tone from down stairs. •Mary—well, tell Airs Graham I want her,' I said, with amazed volubility. 'x'.&rv, s'ill smiling, and evidently much amazed, went to the door, and whispering something over the banisters, my new landlady soon sailed into the room with her original sauvity and the usual phrase—- ' What do you pleaße to want, sir ?' _ * My dear madam,' I said, ' behold in me a forlorn stranger in London, an unfortunate bachelor' - Mrs Grsham simpered, Mary smiled—'who. having no engagement thiß evening, is painfully condemned to spend his fi.-et nu'ht alone in his new lodgings Madam, I have to xik you a favor—will yon sup with me ?'

* ?ir 1' ... I say, my dear madam, will yon sup with me?' I continued, while Mrs Graham indulged in a vacant stare. ' Lobster, oyster, celery, and stont, nothing more,' I urged. There was a slight relenting on the countenance of Mrß Graham, while Mary actually laughed. ' And this young lady, madam ?' 'My daughter, sir." This very friendly and smilingly •If M ; si Graham will join uu, we can afterwa:ds try a quiet rubber at whist. I will take dnmmy.' ■ Hen plays whist,' said the inadvertent Msrv. .. , ~, ' And who is Ben ?' I replied, with an effort at playfulness quite spasmodic. 'My brother, sir,' with a blush and a cou'tesy * Then we shall form an excellent parti oarree ' I said with a smile, as I handed to Mrs Gaham the funds necessary for the contemplated outlay. I shall never forget that evening ; no, not if I live a hundred years. The supper was discussed to the great satlsfac:ion of all partie', and we had cut for partners. Mary was my partner. It always happens so on these occasions ; if it had fallen out otherwise—well, never mind, everything Is for the best in tho b st of all pasfible worlds. I did not play well, I must confess it. The bright sparkle of those upeaking orbs kept, my heart in a constant flutter. I forgot a.l about the gime and though for appearance sake I appeared to take an interest, I cast my sixpences away in a reckless manner that astonished myself. At last I declared I could play no more There was a run of luck, a dead set of the cirda against me, and though too happy to have such a partner, I mußt either change or ceaee gambling. 'Arc you fond of singing, Mr Elton?' ssnd the delightful Graham.

• Tdbte on itr**" ~ ~—' It is false ; but who in my situation Woml2 Sit have said the same. i* My daughter accompanies herself on the guitar.' she continued. : I Bhould be delighted.' Mary simpered and blushed, but Ben, afc a signal from mamma, fetched np the instrument, and for full half an hour I was in a perfect dream of delight. She did sing sweetly—but it was the divine attraction o£ those black eyes which so much affected xne. I could have listened all night But Mrs Graham waa too good a diplomatist to allow anything of the kind. Shesaw I liked my tew home, suspected, doubt less, I was stricken by her daughter, and like a good general, make a ski.ful retreat. At half-pnst eleven I waa alone in my room, and shoitly after, finding fire and pipe had gone out, I retired to bed to dream of odd tricks, the rab, black eyes, guitars, light g>zel!es, tnd animals quoted in pathetic love rerses by disconsolate maiden".