LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2532, 20 May 1882, Page 4

LITERATURE.

THE DROPPED TELEGRAM. It was towards the end of a sultry July that I, Arthur Homely, barrister atlaw—nominally, though nothing but an idler really—decided to run down to the seaside and enjoy the bracing air of the breezy watering place Sandmouth. It was a longish journey by rail from my rooms in Arlington street to Sandmouth ; but I reached the end of my journey about 5 p m.,' and drove at once to the hotel at which I had stayed during a former visit. But at the hotel I was unable to secure a room, and was told that there was not even a garret vaosnt, so crowded was Sandmouth already. A waiter who knew me suggested that I should go to Mrs Dollman’a boardinghouse. which was very comfortable, and where he knew I would find accommodation. 1 re entered my cab, and was soon deposited at Mrs Doilman’s, where an excellent bedroom facing the sea was allotted me, and having enjoyed a bath and change of clothes, I joined the table d’hote, which took place at 7 p.m. On entering the room I saw seated at the table my oldest friend, Charley Steinmay, now known as Major Steinmay, V.C. Charley was brave as a lion, honorable and truthful, but In some matters simple as a child. Our recognition was simultaneous. Charley jumped up and rushed round the table to meet me. 'This is a bit cf luok.’ ha exclaimed; 1 how did you come here ! I've only landed in England two days, and was ordered to oome here for my health.’ ‘ What is the matter ?’ I inquired, ‘ Slight sunstroke, and the effects of that Peshawur fever, which clings to a fellow, you know, for years, and makes me feel sometimes as weak as a cat.’

Onr exchange of information now became general. I learned from him how ho had succeeded in India; how he had obtained two years’ leave on medical certificate ; and was going to recrnit bis health, and return to Inda to obtain a good appointment, which would by that time be vacant, I told him how, by a lucky windfall, I was In possession of an ample income, and merely played with the law as a profession, enjoying my liberty and amusements in the manner best suited to me.

The residents at the boarding house, besides ourselves, were a widow and her , daughter; a merchant from some inland place, his wife and two daughters; three young men, apparently tourists ; and a retired general officer. Before dinner was over I had spoken to nearly every one present, Onr first twenty ■ four hours passed pleasantly. To meet my old school and college companion again, and talk over old times, scenes, and companions, was indeed a pleasant pastime ; and Charley was fresh .and young as'a boy of sixteen. The next evening we had taken onr seat at the dinner table, when there entered a lady leading a little girl about five years old. The lady was tall, at least five feet eight, with massive golden hair, a fair complex on, perfectly formed features, and rather wildlooking, expressive eyes—a figure del’cately bat exquisitively formed She was dressed in a slinging white Cashmere dress, trimmed with lavender satin, which became her admirably. As she stood for a moment opposite to ns, she certainly looked one of the handsomest women I had ever seen. The little girl, however, had a neglected uncaredfor look about her, which contrasted strangely with the oostnme of the lady. The manager of the boarding honae showed this lady to a chair next my friend Charley, who rose as the lady approached, and remained standing until she was seated. All eyes were turned on the new arrival, who seemed totally unconscious of attracting any attention, and appeared fully occupied in attending to the wants of her little girl. Charley seemed spell-bonnd by th’s handsome woman, and during the first few minutes after her arrival did not Speak a word to me. 1 heard the lady, in a clear, silvery voice, address herself to Charley, who was soon engrossed In a conversation which so occupied his time that he ate but little dinner. When the ladies withdrew be turned to me and said :

1 One of the moat charming women I ever spoke to, and undoubtedly the handsomest.’ ‘ A esse of love a) first sight, Charley, ’ I exclaimed ; * bnt who is she V ‘Her name is Le Ferrier,’ ho replied; * and that is her little girl. Whether she Is a widow or not I cannot say ; but she has not mentioned her husband’s name. She lives usually near Manchester, and has come here for her health. What a sensation she would make at Simla 1’

* She seems to have made one with somebody at Sandmouth,’ I replied. We shortly left the dining-room ; and I adjourned to the smoking-room, to enjoy my quiet pipe, whilst Charley turned off and disappeared I knew not where. After soma time, I heard the notes of a piano, touched by a skilled hand ; and soon after the sound of a female voice, full and rich and well cnltivated, singing a German song, I was an enthusiast In music, and therefore made my way to the drawing, room, which was the general place of assembly for tho boarders; and then saw that the vocalist was Mrs Be Ferrier; whilst Charley was standing near the piano turning over the leaves of her song. In the room was one of the young tourists, who turned out to be Oxford-men, who applauded loudly at the termination of the song; whilst tho widow, Mrs Slant, and her daughter seemed also charmed. On my approaching the piano, Charley introduced me, as his oldest friend, to Mrs Le Ferrier; and I received from her a cordial shake of the hand. I had now the fullest opportunity of observing the lady ; and whilst I was compelled to admit the beauty of her, face and form, yet tho shape of her head displeased mo. Among my amusements was the study of phrenology ; and I had made long and careful comparisons between the theories claimed by this science and my practical experience. Some of these theories I found to be correct; and the. head of Mrs Lo ! Ferrier showed an enormous bump of love of approbation, an almost total absence

of consciousness and veneration, 'whilst self esteem was very largely developed. Whilst I was making these observations, she and Charley were looking over a list of songs, and shortly commenced a dnet, ho being a fair singer. Feeling I was one too many, 1 strolled out on the beach, then returned to my room, and retired. A week passed at the boarding-house much in the same way, Charley and Mrs I e Ferrier becoming more and more ioseparabh ; and I saw my friend was apparently engrossed with the handsome boarder. He had driven her out, had ridden with her, and walk ed with her; she appearing to be eqcaliy as charmed with him as he was with her. It was at the end of the week, that one evening I was sitting on the beach with Charley, when I put the question plump ; ‘ Who and what is Mrs Uo Ferrier ?’

‘ Sho is,’ replied Charley, ‘ a moat unhappy woman ; she was compelled to marry a rich Manchester man, whom she hates, and who is unkind to her ’ * Than her husband is alive ?’

‘ Certainly, ’ said Charley, * Take care,’ I said, ‘that yon don’t get entangled in a way that might lead yon into serious trouble.’

Charley remained silent for some time, and then said— ‘ When we were boys, Arthur, we never had a secret from each other ; and I?think I can trust yon now. You will admit that she is one of the most lovely women in the world, and she is as nice as she is beautiful. Although nothing has occurred between us in the slightest degree wrong, yet she has confessed that from the first moment she saw mo she felt an irre eistible attraction for me, and that I am the first man she had met whom she could love.’

‘ And this from a married woman, Charley, you don’t consider wrong ?’ ‘ But. Arthur, think of her condition — having been forced to marry a man repugnant to her. and being tied to him for lifeWhat a slavery for such a woman as she is I ’

‘ Too late to remedy that, Charley ; and it sho«s a want of conscientiousness that she should tell you this, after a week’s acquaintance at a boarding house.’ We were sitting beside some rook on a retir< d part of the beach, far away from any gas lamps, and slightly removed from the usual promenade. Behind us, and not thirty: yards distant, was one of the seats placed for the accommodation of visitors, who could there sit and contemplate the breakers as they rolled and swished on the sandy shore. Our pipes had been smoked out, and we sat in silence, each occupied with his own thoughts. Several minutes had thus passed, when we heard footsteps approaching, and though in the darkness it was impossible to distinguish either face* or figures, yet the voice of one of the two persons caused my friend to start and gaze round eagerly. The couple took up their position on the seat near us, and in reply to a half whispered Inquiry from the man, the female voice said ;

* How could you imagine such a thing 7 I like the major, of course, as he is very attentive, and is desperately in love with me, and he is useful as an escort; but as to anything more, it is absurd. Besides, I am not likely to be attracted by a sun-dried Indian when yon are near.’ * I am so glad to know this,’ was the reply of her companion, whose voice we recognised as that of the young Oxford man who was staying at the boarding house. I put out my hand and held Charley firmly, for he had half started up, but instantly sank down again, and remained motionless till the couple retraced their steps. ‘ You are a lucky fellow, Charley,’ I said, ‘to have found out this plant so easily. Yon see my conclusion about the absence of conscientiousness was about right.’ ‘ Don’t mention that woman’s name again!’ exclaimed Charley ; * what a demon she is; and what mischief a handsome woman can do. I have been a fool, that’s all.' We returned to the boarding house, and retired to our rooms without seeing any one. On the following morning 1 received a letter from my uncle Tom, the squire of Honeywood, saying he was coming that day to Sandmouth with his wife and daughter, and wished me to find him some place to put up at, if the hotel was full. The hotel was full, nnd no suitable lodgings to be obtained ; bat there was room in our boarding house for my unole, aunt, and eon sin ; so I secured these for them. On that morning Charley had a few minntes’ tete-a-tete with Mrs Le Ferrier. What took place I did not ascertain 5 but shortly afcer I saw Mrs Le Ferrier looking red and excited, anger expressed in every feature of her handsome face, whilst Charley was calm, dignified, and self-possessed. My ancle and party arrived during the afternoon ; and though he was not satisfied in having to dine, as he said, with * all sorts of people,’ yet his room being comfortable, he managed to get on without muoh grumbling. My consin was a dear little girl, twenty-two years of age ; a truthful, honest little woman, clever and sincere, and heiress to rather more than four thousand a year. I at once made np my mind that she was the wife (for Charley; but knowing the obstinacy of both man and women in love affairs, I said nothing to my friend as regards my ideas.

That evening at dinner, Mrs Le Perrier had arranged that the position of her chair should be altered ; she sat on the opposite side of the table to that on which 1 and Charley sat, and next my cousin. My cousin and she had evidently met daring the afternoon, and at dinner conversed freely, Mrs Le Perrier talking in that gashing affectionate manner, in which she was an accomplished artiste. My little cousin Annie was evidently taken with the flattery of this handsome woman ; and when the two left the room, .they walked out hand in hand.

{To he continued,')