Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1854-04-20

: his boyish fancy. This recognition was
, eided by learning your name, and observing
, tina. you wore pearI-like pebble, which,
I notwithstanding its beautiful setting, he
knew to be the one Of so great import to
him. As you doubtless remember the bar
gain, and cannot wish TO avoid paying SO
jus! debt, he will find some opportunity
this evening of receiving his due"
Indignant amszement flushed Leonora 8
brow and turning to Mr.. SomeIton, she
would hastily have handed the note TO him,
had she no. been struck by the keenness of
his glance. 1t looked like dis,rus,, and she
despised the feeling. Haughlily withdraw
ing her half extended hand containing the
note, she requested her lover to lead her
from the room, and left him al the foot Of
the staircase without word.
! 10 her own room she reflected upon her
present position. The promise was vividly
revealed to her mind, and honesty demand
ed jus. payment Of the deb. she had incur
red. Nevertheless, it could no, be done,-
il was an impossibli.y. Besides, should
she overcome her own reluctance, ought
she not TO tell Mr.. Somer,on all abou, it,
and would no, this occasion a quarrel =
She determined TO find some mode of eud
ing the penalty, and finally wrote The fol-
lowing note, sending il to Mr.. Amory with
the pebble by the waiter who had brought,
his to her.
/. 81 return The stone, which | find too
costly for me 10 purchase. The price you
asked was ,rifle at The time. Was il gen.
erous TO demand it now, when circum-
stances make it no longer so -
| In ten minutes an answer Was returned,
accompanied by the stone.
"Relurn me wha, was mine, precisely ss
il was when you received it, or ] claim the
payment of your debt, and should you re-
fuse 10 see me this evening, one half hour
| from now, 10 the arbor, will remind you
Of your promise, when perhaps its fulfil
ment would not be so agreeable as should
now Try to make it.
"Despicabe crealure," cried Leonors,
ldespsirIngly, then, with sudden resolve
throwing around her white Grape shawl,
she hsslened to the ballroom, and found
her lover awaiting her al the door. He
glanced uneasiy al her pale face, and whis-
"You are no, well. Let US 60 to the
the arbor after the close air Of this room"
"Yes, come, have something to tell you.
But no, let US walk On the piszza. can
tell you best .here.''
! Bending that he might catch every word,
he heard from Leonora the Whole story,
and then promised the blushing, trembling
girl that if she chose, he would be present,
yet not interfere with the accomplishment,
of what her conscience represented as
duty.
She thanked him gratefully, and they
proceeded at once to The arbor, as i, wan
ted but a few minutes of the appointed
time. Arrived there, Leonora began to
have serious fears for her lover, should the
dreaded artist be in an angry mood.
"Only do one thing more for me-" she
! pleaded. ''Stand behind the grapevine
Come if call, but for my sake keep quiet
| if do not"
Somerton promised, and be fore withdraw
ing her hold upon his arm, Leonora leaned
her head against il, and pressed fervenlly
that behaved protection. Somerton being
concealed, five minutes of the mos, diss-
greesbe suspense followed Then steps
were heard approaching, and man muffled
in cloak, so that his face even was con-
ceaIed, stood before Leonora.
She gazed fssrfully a, the tall apparilion,
and asked in an almost inaudlble voice
care you Mr.. Amory''
81 am.'
81 am ready to redeem my deeply lamen-
ted PROMISE" she (al,ered then from ter
ror and distress, feeling herself fantIng, she
gasped Mr.. Somerion's name, as her eyes
closed, and Instantly felt herself folded ~
supporting arms, while voice she loved
called her by every endearing name, and
she felt that the hated fulflment of her pro-
mise was not demanded Of her. Slowly
recovering, she looked anxiously around for
the artist. The cloak was enfolding her,
yet no one was visible but Mr.. Somerton.
| "How is it ?" she asked, s'is he gone ?"
| "My cruel deception is at an end" said
her lover, 81 entreat you TO listen to my
justification. One whose malice ] now
know how 10 appreciate, told me 10 beware,
that had not yet had an opportunity Of
seeing your real charscter,-lhat you were
in short heariless firi, to whom each new
admrer was welcome, and who kept faith
win none. mao no rIght 10 douDt you.
Can you forgive me ?" A pleasant smile
and gentle pressure assured him of Leonora's
leniency. Still she did not understand the
matter.
81 hope you and that hateful artist are
no. the same person." she said s'his name
was Amory.'
$50 was mine dearest. changed i. Jus,
before leaving England, as, maternal un-
Gle left me a very handsome fortuue, upon
condition that would take his name, and
though consented to bear it in my every
day character, ! will never have my artists
name any but my own. Writer'S have q