What Happened At A Christmas Gathering.

too , that his "kismet " had come at last . He seined to disapprove of Jemmy ' s proceedings , and to consider him a very forward ancl offensive puppy—as these old boys always do when they get spooney and a youngster comes in their Avay . But the happy Jemmy , all unconscious or

little caring for the angry glance of the indignant Jatnieson—for that Avas his name , D . Jamieson , M . P . ( Old Jamie as Ave called him)—Avent on making hay Avhile the sun shone , and much to the content of the "dainosel , " though not

equally so to that of her anxious mamma . On the left of Jamieson , again , Avas a not disagreeable AVKIOAV , AVIIO Avas said to be well off but bad tempered , both of which qualities for once Avere true . Jorum kneAv something about her , and

had said to me , before dinner , in his curt sentences : " Bullied her husband , bullies her servant , often bad tempered old felloAV —forty-ei ght if she is a day ' " I know not Avhy , but the demon of mischief or the goddess of " sentiment" suggested to me Avhat a good thing it Avould be to couple together old Jamieson ancl

Mrs . De Salis , ancl how needful it Avas and IIOAV proper it would be to help Jemmy and his Laura , two young spoons . Laura ' s mamma—a stout old party , AAnth too IOAV a dress for my taste , but p lenty of diamonds—had been smiling Avhen Jamieson talked to the perverse Laurabut had

, actually froAvned , as mothers sometimes will do , Avhen she turned a very ready ear to the insinuating and li ghthearted Jemmy . Still I kneAv she Avas not a bad-hearted old party , and as I Avas also Avell aquainted Avith pater L'Estrange

I thought I might do Jemmy and Laura a good turn , if things got as they say , " serious . " So I said to myself : "I will try for once to make the course of true love run smooth in this rough world . " And so I turned to my fascinating neighbour ,

Mrs . Jorum , for her countenance and advice . I knew that she Avas the most genial and tender-hearted of beings , so I felt sure of her assistance and approval . Nor Avas I mistaken , for she at once , after I had explained to her my ideas on the subject , kindly and fully said that it was an " imperative call of dut y to pair those four people properly ; " and so we

entered into a compact and concordat on the subject forthwith , then and there , signed , sealed , and delivered . " It is quite clear to me , " she also remarked , " that old Jamieson and the AvidoAv would just suit each other ; and if

she did bully Mr . De Salis , I don't think it will do old Jamieson any harm . " Of course I replied that I thought it would do him a great deal of good ; and so Ave both assented to the general proposition that it Avas a duty Ave owed to society ancl

sentiment in general , ancl to Laura and Jemmy in particular . Dinner was OA'er , the ladies retired , and the gentlemen drew near to the host ' s end . We had a pleasant seance , though I observed that Jamieson did not draw near to

Jemmy , and that Jemmy did not talk to Jamieson . " Oh ! AA'oman , " said I mentally , " Avhat a Avonderful institution you are ; Avhat fools you make of men , geese

that they be ! ' When at last Ave Avent off , as a writer of an ill-regulated mind says , " to coffee and crinoline , " I managed to get hold of old Jamieson , so as to let Jemmy take ground to the right ancl get a chair near Laura , to whom , I observed his advent seemed to afford unmitigated

leap sure , if I might judge by those bri ght eyes of hers ; and t began a most interesting and confidential coiwersation with Jamieson about Sirs . De Salis . I knew at once that the old rascal listened ; that he Avas ready , as the French say to " eimsager "

the Avhole question , especiall y , as an old friend of mine used to sa } r , if there are " Dibs " in the matter it is wonderful how they SAveep aAvay difficulties . So I said casually to him , "Fine Avoman , Mrs . De Salis , and wonderfully well off for a Avidow ; £ 5 , 000 a year jointure , , £ 25 , 000 to do what she likes with , and a house of her OAVU . "

Old Jamieson ' s eyes twinkled . " Very agreeable Avoman , " he slowly replied ; " very neat looking , and well preserved , and becomingly dressed . Her hair is so goodand its all her own ! By the Avay , Tomlinson" he added immediatel" they say

, y , at the " Ulysses" that she is a queertempered Avoman . Admiral Button was an old messmate of De Salis ' s in the Persephone , many years ago , ancl he told me—" and here Jamieson lowered his voice , " that