The Fair Unknown.

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 155, 20 June 1903, Page 12

The Fair Unknown.

IT'S just tluee years ago last Eastei since Smithson and I made that e\entful train journey, but up to the picscnt we liave preferred to let our «id\entuie remain unchronicled. Often, when I have occasion to consult mv watch, I lecollect the adventure, and I hastily put the offensive article out of sight Smithson and I had arlanged to take a run up to Wanganui, hoping that the weather might be kind enough to allow of our taking a trip up the nver In fact, we were enjoying suoh a trip when Smithson, who was standing close to me, placidly surveying the company, singled her out from a somew hat ordinary lot of holi-day-makers, with the remaik ' I say, Bob w r hat do you think of that?" "Think of what ? " I answered unconcernedly, admiring the beautiful scenery. "Why, that girl over there, talking to the pa>rson and the Maori." I woke up and looked. "By Jove, she is a peach '" I ejaculated ''Wonder who she is p " We feasted our eyes on the apparition of loveliness for some time, inwardly speculating; as to her identity a.nd, staid old commercial that I am, i must confess to having experienced a fascination as she stood there on that beautiful afternoon. We stayed at Chavannps' Hotel that night, played a few games of billiards, and after partaking of supper, retired for the ni^ht. Smithson didn't tell me how \e slept but I dreamt I wa,= in the Garden of Eden and our "Vision" of the afternoon was in the act of tempting me to eat the forbidden fruit, when T was suddenly roused to life's reality bv a loud knock a,t my door the porter outside the while informing me that it w as "Six o'clock, sir " The train left at seven and the tw •> of us were soon comfortably settled for the mornine^s 'f»uraev- We spent n few hours in Palmerston, and strolled down to the railway station a few minutes before five. When neanng our train, Smithson suddenly grabbed mv arm nearly tearing it from its socket in his excitement "Bob," he said, "she's here I saw her get into that carriage you know whom I mean. I don't feel like smoking at all to-night let's get in too Seeing that the r>oor fellow was badly smitten, I smilingly complied, and we entered the compartment together. To mv surprise the identical "parson" whom we had =een talking to the beauty on the river was sitting reading in a corner, and there being room, we sat down beside him, the lady sitting almost opDOsite He had rather a pleasant face, and moved a little to enable us to make ourselves more comfortable. We w ere soon, on our iourney\ and nothing happened until we were well down the line Then the fair unknown who had nreviouslv seemed intent on a novel f^ot ii" and went outside on to the platform, evidently to obtain come fresh a.i r Smithson suddenly seemed to find tho atmosphere in the carriage oppressive, and acting on my whispered advice T am a married man), soon followed her. He must have got on surprisingly well as I didn't see a sien of him until we were close to tow n At last they came m together, and I thought their faces were uncommonly But. no, it must have been a reflection, from the lamps. During their absence I amused myself (so I imagined) with the minister chap. He proved to be a very interesting man Somewhat to mv surprise, he could discuss the turf and stage as freely is ecclesiastical matters, and I was rather sorry when wei said good-bye at the end of our iourney. Smithson was radiant a*s we walked briskly along the Quay, glad of the opportunity to stretch our limbs. "Hope you had a good time out on the platform, old man 0 " I chaffed, as we were sayirrg good-night. "Between you and me," he confided, "she's got the sweetest — but, I say, it must be getting late — • Great Scott, Bob, I've lost my watch'" he stammered, fumbling about his waistcoat pockets. "Nonsense, man," I said, "you must be dreaming — Great Heavens, mine's cone too. How could we possibly have lost them °" 'That girl l " he muttered. "And the clergyman l " I broke in. "What the ? Who the^- p Come on. Bob we'll put the police on then tracks'" We hurried on to the police station, and blurted out our trouble. "It's all right, gentlemen " said the officer calmly "we've hunted high and low r for that couple for the last three months, but wet got them as they stepped off the Manawatu train tonight. Perhaps you will recognise

your watches amongst this collection,' he continued, going to a safe, and bringing out a collection of watches and other valuables which, he explained, had been found on the parson" and his fair accomplice. A half-sovereign sufficied to instil utter ignorance into the officer as to our share in the aftair, and He took our departure', know ing full w ell that the strange antics of oui "friends'" would be checked for a time at least. Smith&on and I walked home arm-in-arm, both convinced that w e w ere not the smartest pair in the' world. ' That, cr — kiss went very near being expensive old man," I laughed, givine him a dig m the ribs ''Almost as dear as your conversation with the clergyman," he retorted. Somehow or other I steer clear of parsons now and Smithson — w ell he's a w oman hater. — J. Y. Solomon.

The Wellington Guards' annual ball, which is to come off on Wednesday, 24th June, promises to be a very great success. It is to be held in the Druids' Hall, and elaborate preparations a,re being made for the large number of guests expected, Mr. Godber has charge of the catering, and Mr Mimfie the music. • • • A cimet but pietty wedding was celebrated at the Trinity Church, Newtown, on March 3rd. when Mr. Charles E. Waugh was mariied to Miss Susan Dunstan, fourth daughter of Mi Chailes Dunstan, of this city. The bride wore a. beautifully-tucked gown of cream silk trimmed with lace and insertion, and a white felt hat. She was attended bv her two sisters. Mr. W. Dickei acted as best man. The engagement has been announced of Mi&s Bertha Edwards, daughter of Mr. Justice Edwards, to Mr. Lonev, a, wealthy American gentleman, now residing in S-\diiey Mrs Edwards, Miss "Edwards and her brother (Dr E Edwards are at present en route to England tra.ve'hng via Japan. • - • Miss Spragg entertained a few girl friends at a very enjoyable tea on Thursday afternoon last. The rooms were prettily decorated with flowers. A guessing competition and some bright music made the time pass very quickly. The prizes were won by Miss N. Barron and Mrs. Schloss. Miss Spragg wa§ wearing a pretty scarlet silk blouse, and black merveilleux skirt; Mrs. Sprag?, a black brocade frown. Amongst the guests invited were • Mesdames Schloss Rudinan, Misses Mcc, Martin, Richardson, Ashbolt, Lockie^ Hannah, Barber and several others. • • • A very pleasant evening w^as spent at Mr. John P. Lukete residence.. Owenstreet, on Wednesday, 10th. Despite the very wet w ©ather - mte a number of' you folk accepted Mrs. Luke's invitation, and a very interesting description of his tame in South Africa with the Sixth Contingent was given by Trooper McCoil. While re^froshments w^ere handed round, a collection in aad of the New Zealand Soldiers' Graves Guild was taken, up, to which aJ] contributed in memory of some loved one or friend, or ac a thanksoffering that their soldier dots or brothers are safe home again. Masters and Miss Seiwell provided excellent orchestral musdo, and, wath songs and •"■"irneis, thei hours till midnight passed very quickly. • * • A laro-e number of invitations were issued by Mrs. Adams and Mrs Ferguson, for an "At Home" at the Art Galler- on Thursday afternoon, when, despite the dreadfully wet weather, almost tw-o hundred guests were present. A strine band was stationed on the stage and a delightful afternoon w r as spent lookine at the many pretty sketches on the walls. Dr. Wilson's little glimpse® of the Arctic regions were voted most interesting and picturesque. Tea was handed round from numbers of small tables. • • • Mrs. Adams and Mrs. Ferguson leceived their guests, the former wearing a gown of heliotrope voile and lace. Mrs. Fergusons pretty gown was beautifully trimmed with Eastern embroidery Some of the many guests were Mrs. S. A. Rhodes, Mrs. Maurice Turrell, Mrs. Tblhurst, Mrs. Field Mrs. H. Gore, Mrs. Marchbanks, Mrs O'Connor, Mrs MaoTavish, Mrs. Newman, Mrs. Walter, Mrs. Firth, Mrs. Ewen, the Misses Fell, Ram son, Stafford. Ewen, Coatas, Turner Moirah, Gore. Joseph, and others. • • * A large and most enjoyable progressive euchre part" wao "iven by Mis. Tolhurst on Friday evening last. Euchre w as rjlayed for an hour or tw o, and after sunder some delightful music was enjoyed. The Misses Finch and Skerrett were prize winners. Mrs. Tolhurst received in a gown of black brocade', relieved with lace. Miss Tolhurst was also in bLack, brightened w ith flowers. Miss Denniston (Chnstchure VN wore a becoming pink silk gown, draped with lace. Some of the guests were Mrs. Sandford Cox, Mrs. Knight Mrs. T. Young, and the Misses O'Connor Gore. Miles, Stuart Simpson, Finch, Mollineux (Chnstchurch). Brandon, Nelson and Drs. Herbert and Webster and Messis. Gore, Trrop, Spencer. # Miss Partridge has returned from a short visit to New Plymouth » * * Mrs. E wen's 'Celebrity Tea" on Fnda/v afternoon, was highly successful, and the greatest fun w as occasioned bi, this novel competition. Pictures of eminent personages cut from magazines; etc.. were pinned on the walls, and, on blank papers provided, the guests wrote as many names as they could guess. Miss Simpson sent in an excellent card, with thirty-nine coilect guesses and won the first prize, a

sLher-mounted bottle. Tea was daintily laid m the dining-room. M» Ewem received in a black voile skirt and pretty blouse of cieam mciAedleux. Miss Ewen was becomingly gowned in salmom pink. Miss McLean woie a soft &ilk blouse, and black voile skirt Miss G Reid wore a dark tailor-made gown, and green hat, Miss Simpson, a pretty fawn hat, and tweed gown Miss M Seddon, a smart Eton sown of giey tweed Miss Nelson (Auckland) a bright red gow n Others piesent were Miss Logan, Miss Ramson, Miss MacGregor, Miss WaJdegrave, Miss Howard (Auckland), Mi«s Tolhuist, Miss Butt, Miss M Blundell, the Misses Stafford, Chatfiekl, Edwin, and many more. Invitations ha\e been issued for \\ hat should prove one of the prettiest balls ever given in Wellington It is to be "mask and domino," and the hostesses are twelve popular girls — the Misses Macintosh, Finch, Raw son, Miles, I. Nelson, Tolhurst, Reid, and Simpson. Mr. Kenneth Hume, who has been for some years in Hobart is just now on a visit to New Zealand, having come over for his brother's marriage. A very pretty w edding was celebrated at fc>t. .Peter's Church on Tuesday, June 9th, when Miss Ethel Evans, daughter of Mr. Geo. Evans, Maarama Crescent, was married to Mr. Andrew Lees Swan, of Dunedin. The bride, who was -'van away b her father, was charmingly attired m a beautiful gown of cream broche, trimmed with real Maltese lace and chiffon, and carried a shower bouquet of choice flow ers. She also wore a dagger brooch, set with pearls and a pearl nendant, the gifts of the bridegroom. ♦ * * Her attendants were her sisters the Misses Fanny and Nellie Evans, who were attired in what© silk dresses, beautifully tucked and msertioned, and wore black picture hats. Scarlet bouquets added a charming touch of colour. The bridegroom's "ifts to the bridesmaids were a gold ring set with diamonds and saipphne® to the elder maid, and to the younger a pretty pearl brooch. Mr. F W Ansell, of Dunedin, acted as best man, and Mr. W. P. MoLaohlan as groomsman. The Rev. G. P. Daivys officiated, and at the conclusion of the ceremony the •Wedding March" was played bv Dr Km erst on Fyffe. * * » A reception was held at Tirow ai " Maarama Crescent, a large number of guests being present. Mrs Evans, the bride's mother, wore a handsome gown of corded black silk, relieved with cream lace and a black and steel bonnet. Miss Minnie Evans was attired in. blue zibelrne with facings of silk, and a w hite felt hat . Miss Jessie ' Evans a pretty red frieze gown, with red velvet and a black hat. Mrs. Sw an mother of bridegroom, w ore a gown of black merveilleux. and nrefcty black bonnet with touches of white. Miss Swan was in brown frieze and a white felt hat. Mrs. A. R. Y. Lodder wore a handsome blue voile* dress, and white hat- Mr? F Cohen, rich black broche and floral toque , Miss Donne, a rose-coloured frieze and black hat Mrs- Ryland, black silk, and pretty tooue' ■& -* * Some of the gentlemen were Messrs. Andrew, Lees (Dunedin), Archibald, Steadman, Bloxam, etc. The bride'© travelling: gown was of black cloth — a smart tailor-madei with large white collar stitched with black and a white felt hat. The honeymoon is being spent up North