THE ‘SWELL’ AND THE ACTRESS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1068, 8 February 1883, Page 3

THE ‘SWELL’ AND THE ACTRESS.

Says a London paper : —“ Lightly come, lightly go,’ is a proverb which one of our greatest—physically, if not intellectually —• opera-bouffe actresses recently (says a writer in the World) had occasion to find most startingly true. This lady, Miss X— , had an admirer in the stalls, who it was whispered among her comrades, had, or would have, £60,000 a-year. For him, then, Miss X- ’s sweetest smile ; for him, her most bewitching glances. This gentleman, however, was shy. and being only twenty, continued to languish in the stalls and confine his admiration to throwing bouquets. At last, however, de querre las —he summoned up sufficient courage to write a note and send it, accompanied by a diamond ring. ‘ Would the lady dispense with the customary formalities of an introduction, and kindly accept the enclosed ring ?’ The lady would, am 1 did. A little supper followed, and in a few days presents poured in of every shape and form, M'ss X having kindly introduced the gentleman to her own particular tradesman. Horses, carriages, diamonds nothing was wanting. And the happiness was only equalled by the confidence of the tradespeople. At last, satiated by the enervating life of London luxury, and wearied with her professional engagements, Miss X , with her usual good nature, yielded to the gentleman’s suggestion that they should both go for a blow on the river. Miss X went for her blow, which, alas ! was followed by another one of a different nature, When she return°d home a few days afterwards, Don Juan’s bills had been dishonored, there had been a panic among the tradespeople, who were laying their hauls on everything they could seize, and the £60,000 a-year had vanished into the air. Moreover, it is now said that the little money the gentleman does possess comes to him from his father, a ci-devant policeman, who aided a great criminal to escape, and was pecuniarily rewarded to the extent of a few thousand pounds by his grateful family.