Page:010 Once a week Volume X Dec 1863 to Jun 64.pdf/177





I wanted to kill an hour.

I was returning to my chambers after dining out, and it was yet early. On my way home I had to pass the Royal Gem Theatre; and as I did so, the attraction of its illuminated exterior caused me to stop to ascertain whether there was anything “out” that would furnish me with the means of pleasantly destroying the unoccupied time before me. There was a