The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-02-26

Very well, Mrs. Stevens" said the
good-naturcd baronet, Il possibly may
for am one"
"fou don't say so 2" said Louisa. We'll
then, believe / may call you my future
cotisin ?"
sT John bowed and tried to look grave.
,bravoF cried the voting doctor, "I
wish you joy"
SO do ], and l shall certainly 90 and
see how Augusta IS" said Mrs. Stevens.
Miss Miles is quite well, believe" :"
said Sir John.
You went to the theatre last night, of
course I" said Louisa.
a the contrary" said the baronct,
sat and had Il long talk with Mary"
You did 2" said DR.. Stevens. AZ bra
zen fellow YOU are! But, come Jack. YOU
and | are old friends you must tell me
all about it. When did you-whcn did
you-put the grand question:"
Last night, Frank"
"Pshaw she was at the play"
Your pardon, my dear fellow she
was not well, and would not 90"
"She not well, too! Then I suprosc
she was in her own room. and Won s,t
and talked with her sister You're a nice
fellow"
She was not in her room; she was
sitting on the parlour sofa"
Was Mary in the room them"
"Ycs."
" Pooh you didn't make love before n
third person, | know. | never could do
it myself"
" | assure YOU Mary was in the room"
Nonsense, Jack, you're cramminr me!
But I'll go to Augusta and make hcr tell
me all about it."
"Shc doesn't know anything about it.
TOR She was at the theatre"
Stevens looked at his wife with a facc
that seemed to say, This fellow is mad.n
and then he looked at his friend, then at
his wife again, and finally took II LARGE
pinch OF snuff. while Louisa set up n lone
ringing laugh. "You are Il very cxtraor.
binary person." said she to the baronet:
" but pray solve this riddle. We don't
understand how Augusta managed to be
at home on the sofa, and at Drurv Lane
at the same time"
81 never said Augusta was sitting On
the sofa" said Sir John.
" Iou did, Jack; you know YOU did"
said Frank Stevens
"NO, pardon me-" said the baronct, :"
SIMPLY stated the case, which I'll simply
state again, went last night to Mr.. Miles.
found Miss Mary Miles sitting on the sofa.
sat down, made her an oftcr and-''
Made her an otfcr-madc Mary an Of
fer" cried the doctor and his wife in 4
breath.
Il did so; was not aware | had done
anything so marvellous"
Marvellous." cried Louisa, "why,
bless my heart, We all thought that YOU
were in love with Augusta"
"lndecd." said the baronct, IL am NOT
aware that have cvershown suci, state
of mind"
"Oh, perhaps not" said Stevens, "but.
you sec, youwcrc always going there"
" Certainly; but Mary lives at home as
well as Augusta"
"Oh, yes, Jack! but then, You know,
we never thought for moment of Mary
ScttlnT married.
" Did YOU not but | have thought Of
it fora great many moments though. And
now, my dear fellow, pray excuse this
short visit only called to tell YOU the
news. Good bye"
"Go"d bye" said Louisa " wish Won
JOY.
"And | hope YOU will 90 and see how
Augusta is, malam," replied our baronct,
making his exit.
Stevens and his wife looked gravclv at
each other. "A pretty mistake we have
made, Loo" said the doctor, at last
" Think of Mary being Lady Clare p
"Ah think of it, indeed" said Louisa;
g am quite astoundcd, and shall pop out
directly and go and see her"