A SPOKE IN THE WHEEL. 73

friend. She does not act again to-night,” continagl
he, rapidly, and not allowing Reynolds time to speak,
“but you will stay the after-piece—it is the most
amusing thing in the world ; and if Iam not at home
by the time you are, don’t let anybody miss me—
and I ‘ll do as much for you any time!”

*“‘ But, Williams,” began he. Williams, however,
did not wait to hear. The curtain fell, and he was
ZOLe.

He knew perfectly the back-entrance by which
Jessie would leave the theatre ; and there, at the very
moment of time, stood she, wrapped in a cloak, and
attended by the old woman with a lighted lantern.
‘Spite of the lawyer's daughters, there also was
Bassett, making a thousand protestations of regret
and chagrin at not being able to accompany her.

“She wants no escort,” said Williams, rendered
bold by his good fortune ; “‘T shall have that hap-
piness,” and taking J eeaic’s little hand, which he
drew within his arm, he walked off triumphantly.

“ The jackanapes! the conceited jackanapes !”
exclaimed Bassett ; but not imagining for a moment
that Jessie would give a druggist’s apprentice the pre~-
ference over him, he went back to the theatre laughing
to himself at the youth’s “ ignorant conceit.”

Williams walked off triumphantly with Jessie on
his arm, and the little old woman trudged beside them
with her lantern ; but scarcely had they gone ten
yards when they were stopped by a man who puf a
small paper into their hands.

What had they here? They stopped; and, by
the light of the lantern, read the words, printed
in great, black, awful-looking letters, ‘°° Tue Doorr
or Tar Piay-House Leap To Hei!”

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