LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2535, 24 May 1882, Page 4

LITERATURE.

THE DROPPED TELEGRAM. ( Concluded !)i ‘ I have not said anything but what he deserves, for he was horridly rude to me. But don’t let ns talk any more about this. • It is just this I do want to talk about, andl want you to do me a favor and perform an act of justice. I want you to write me a note Baying that you made these charges because you were angry with Major Steiamay for telling you that you were a flirt, and that you regret having so spoken. Mrs Le Ferrier gave one of her silvery loughs, and said, ‘ How ridiculous ! As if I should be such a fool as to write such a thing. No Your friend insulted me, and so it is war to the knife between us.’

* But you admit that the insult, as yon now term it, was limited to his telling yon that you were a flirt; »nd perhaps you bad made him think yon liked him very much, when yon were merely trifling with him.’ 1 Well, to call me a flirt was bad enough. But I won’t hear any more about him. If yon can’t make yourself more agreeable I think we had better return.’

She jnmped up, and shaking the few grains of sand from her dress prepared to walk off.

I did not move, but looking at her said, ‘ I’m so sorry it is war to the knife between you and Charley; because, if it is so between you and him, it is also war to the knife between you and me ; for he is too dear and tried a friend for me to aee him slandered and remain quiet ; and, believe me, Mrs Le Ferrier, I possess the knowledge of that which, were I to declare it, would be your ruin.’

She looked at me with a wild resentful look, her faoe becoming almost crimson. As I met her gaze, I wandered how I ever have thought her beautiful; she seemed the embodiment of some of the lowest attributes that belong to our nature. If she had possessed a dagger. I should not have felt safe in lounging as I did calmly on the sandy beach.

‘ What do you mosn ?’ she almost hlased. ‘Sit down, Mrs Le Ferrier,’l Bald, ‘and I will tell yon. But please don’t interrupt me until I have finished my little tale. All that has occurred between you and Charley is known to me He was foolish and impressionable, I admit; and when he overheard you tell young Finch that yon could not think of him when Finch was present yon did him a great kindness, for yon opened his eyes to his folly. When, however, yon slandered him to my consln you were committing a wicked act of revenge.’ * How much more of this nonsense am I to listen to V she exolaimad.

‘Well, by a singular combination of circumstances I am acquainted with the promise you made your husband relative to neither seem? nor mooting Mr A again ; add I know what the result would be if your husband knew that you had written to Mr A asking him to meet you here. The banker’s clerk, as you told us, with whom you had busiraja to transact from 8 till 11 p.m., I know to have been Mr A . The telegram which you received at breakfast, and which yon told us was from your husband, !was from Mr A , and was arranging the meeting which yon had with him last night. You had torn your came off the telegram, and had afterwards, by accident, doubtless, dropped it, and it was shown to me by a servant. It was I who directed him last night to take the telegram to you. Now, Mrs Le Ferrier, if it is to be war to the knife between you and Charley the contents of that telegram will be communicated to your husband. I need not remind yon of the consequences.’ I had Jkept my eyes fixeed on her as I deliberately revealed the cards In my hand. Her face was a study-first rage, then consternation, then despair. In the conflict of passion, her beauty quite vanished. She sat for fully a minute, her face covered with her hands. She then turned to me and said — ‘ I think you are the greatest bear I ever met!’

‘I accept that opinion as a compliment,’ I replied; ‘but you must admit that incur war to the knife I have gained the victory. Now, Mrs Ferrier, I do not wish to be a bear ; but I have a horror of that malicious slander In which I am sorry to say some women delight. No person besides myself knows that Mr A came here by appointment to meat you. No one knows except myself what was the pnrpoit of the telegram I am strong enough to dictate terms, and I will come to terms with you. Write me that letter I asked for, and I give you my word ol honour the matter will never escape my Ups.’ ‘ Bat what use do yon propose to make of that letter ?’

• I intend to show It to my oonsln, and so prove to her that your accusation against Charley was untrue.’ * I could not endure that she should know it was, fcr ah*loves me very much,’

* It is for you to decide,’ I replied ; * I will meet you here to morrow at *ffio same hour. If yon bring a satisfactory letter, the thing will be at an end. If no'#, yon must be prepared for the consequences. I cannot have my friend’s name longer traduced. Shall we return now?’

‘ You might have the politeness to help me up,’ she said ; and as she took my hand, she gave it a squeeze and said—--1 How can 5 ou be so unkind to me ?’ We walked in silence t- wards the groups assembled near the bathing machines, and found my cousin ready to return. I left her and Mrs Le Ferrier to walk homo together, and took a brisk turn to think over the success of my plot. Trne to her appointment, Mrs Le Perrier came to our rendezvous on the fallowing morning. Her letter was almost word for word what I had verbally dictated. After reading it I placed It in my pocket bock, and I made her a definite promise to observe her secret. I hoped she would not think too severely of me for what I had done to savomy friend's reputation. ‘ I shall hate you all ,my life, ’ she exclaimed. * Perhaps that will be a safer condition than if you pretended you loved me, as yon did to Charley, and (but never mind) the other.’ She jumped up and said, ‘ Good morning, Mr Homely. I hope we shall never meet again.’ I made her the most polite bow, and smiled as pleasantly as though she had paid me the greatest compliment, and resumed my seat on the sand: When 1 returned to the boarding house I found every one surprised at the sudden departure of Mrs le Ferrier. She had left Sandmouth suddenly, no one knew why. Poor young Finch seemed distracted. My little cousin actually cried, and declared that Mrs Le Ferrier was the nicest, most beautiful, truthful, and unaffected woman she had ever met. I allowed two days to elapse before I spoke to Annie. An opportunity then occur' ring, I said—‘Ho you really believe what Mrs I e Perrier said about Charley ?’ ‘Of course I do ; for I don’t believe she woul i toll an untruth, or even misrepresent things, for the world.’ I smiled at the self confidence of my dear little, simple-minded cousin, and said—- * Supposing Mrs Le Ferrier herself admitted that she had slandered Charley out of spite, what would you think then V ‘I don’t know what I should think, because it is impossible that she could say such a thing.’ I took Mrs Le Perrier’s note out of my pccket-book, and gave it to Annie, saying, ‘ Bead this.’ She read the letter slowly, and then looking at me said, * Good gracious ! what does this mean 1’ * A confession from Mrs Le Perrier that she told yon what was not true.’ 1 But what object could she have in saying such things !’ ‘lt is always somewhat difficult to give a reason for a woman’s acts ; but yon may have heard that “ there is no fury like a woman scorned.” Perhaps yon had better not inquire more, as regards details. But yon now see how unjustly you have been prejudiced against Charley, who Is the best fellow that ever lived.’ ‘ Yea ; I have indeed,’ she replied ;’ but who could believe Mrs Le Perrier was so false!’ The lee waa now broken ; and though 1 felt bonud in honor not to tell Charley one word about the letters or telegram, I yet hinted that 1 knew ray cousin had changed her opinion of him. She, dear little girl, with a high sense of justice, now tried to make up for her former half-rudeness, and she and Charley became great friends. Before a month had elapsed, they were engaged ; and in six months were married. Charley’s Indian appointment was not filled by him, for ho exchanged, and shortly filled an Important staff appointment in England. We have been closer friends than ever since his marriage ; for he knows I had some hand in clearing away the aspersion cast on his character, but he never suspects the course I adopted. Of Mrs Le Perrier, I have heard much since but nothing that I care to relate in these pages. She was that most fearful deformity, a beautifa l , unprincipled woman, who lived only on admiration obtained at any cost. Snob characters, fortunately are not common, though they exist, and are too often the causes of more mischief In this world than a hundred good and true women can undo. Had it not been for the dropped telegram, she might have been the cruel cause of preventing two congenial persons from travelling the path of life hand in hand.