said the Stockbroker to the Curate, when she had gone, "that's
my notion of a dear Old Lady."

"Everything about her was _so_ characteristic," answered the Curate,
admiringly.

Neither the Curate nor the Stockbroker had the advantage of hearing
what the dear Old Lady said to Tom that afternoon.

"It came off just beautifully, my boy. Not that I blame _them_, mind
you,--how were they to know that it was a ticket which I didn't give
up last year, and that I hadn't even taken a ticket at all to-day? No,
I don't blame them. As for the address, I put the same address that
was on the label of the Curate's bag, only I altered The Rev. CHARLES
MARLINGHURST to Mrs. MARLINGHURST. And the Stockbroker guaranteed that
I should send either the ticket or the money. So he'll have to pay up!
Oh, my word! My gracious word, what a treat!"

The dear Old Lady chuckled contentedly.

Tom also chuckled.

The Stockbroker subsequently relinquished to a great extent his habit
of remarking upon his own marvellous intuition, enabling him to
read character at sight; the Curate preached a capital sermon on the
deceptiveness of man, and when he said man he meant woman.

* * * * *

TO A TOO-ENGAGING MAIDEN.

[Illustration]

I think you should know I've been put out of humour
By something I hear very nearly each day.
In a small town like ours, as you know, every rumour
Gets about in a truly remarkable way.
It is too much to hope for that women won't prattle,
But I candidly tell you, I do feel enraged
When I find that a part of their stock tittle-tattle
Is that we--how I laugh at the thought!--are engaged.

Though you don't even claim to be reckoned as pretty,
You are not, I admit it, aggressively plain.
You dress pretty well, and your talk, if not witty,
As a rule doesn't give me much positive pain.
You will one day be rich, for your prospects are "healthy,"
Yet as Beauty and Riches do not make up Life,
Why, were you as lovely as Venus, as wealthy
As Croesus I wouldn't have _you_ for my wife.

Are you free altogether from blame in the matter--
I'm resolved to be frank, so it's useless to frown--
Have you not had a share in the mischievous chatter
Which makes our "engagement" the talk of the town?
When some eager, impertinent person hereafter
Shall inquire of its truth, and shall ask, "Is it so?"
Instead of implying assent by your laugh