Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-05-24
fondness of fun, so L doubted not she would
fulfill her threat.
CHAPTER III.

'hiru story, ana hate the back Rom on the
same moor Between the apartments were
dressing closets, opening into the respective
rooms And as Kate stood in hers one day
washing ous some muslins, she became con-
scious that an animated conversation was going
on In Franks room. She did not however.
pay any attention to il, until at last Franks
manu- came down upon the table with an un-
mlstakaole emphasis, as be exclaimed
capital idea, Hal; let's put il into ex-
ecutiOn by all means. Pass me that nortfoIic
please, from my writing table, and fU write
all advertisement this minute -
d hvely discussion followed in regard 10 the
various items, and il was ten or fifteen minntes
before the document was completed. AT last
Frank read as follows:
"A young gentleman of excellent prospects
aud unexceptionab'e family and character.
twenty five years of age, and generally con.
sidered fine looking, desires 70 open 3 CORES
pondence with a view TO matrimOny, with a
young lady OF good personal appearance, cul-
tvated mind, and amiable disposition She
must be between the ages Of seventeen and
twentytw During an extensive acouaiu-
tance Of i've years IN the best circles of met
rOpolitan society, the writer has vainly sought
one whose soul might form a counterpart TO
his own; and with whom he might pass the
remainder of his life in blissful and congenial
union, and the enjoyment Of an existence uu-
trammeled by the artificial rules and acquire
ments Of society. Despairing of finding such
a spiritual mate in the ranks of fashion, he
seizes upon this method Of making known his
wants. ANY lady desirous Of communicating
M. G. B., Box-,P.o."
Bravo" exclaimed a voice, which Kate
readily recognised as Harry Bentley's, one of
Franks chums
That can't be improved. Those last, fpe-
sounding sentences will be sure TO attract
some Of the strong minded, bleary old maids,
and then, Frank, there'll be sport"
Frank made some laughing reply, and then
having sealed and directed his missiye, rang
the bell, and despatched it to the Office of =
fourishing daily.
There was wicked light in Kate's eve az
she wrung out the last Of her muslins, and let
OF the water from the basin 1.-TWO can nlav
at that game, my fine fellow" she said and
she drew out her writing desk to the window,
and sat down before it
On the day succeeding the appearance Of
the advertisement, Kate watched warily until
she saw Harry Bentley ascending the steps
with package of letters in his hand, and
then hastenlng to her room, she repaired to
her hiding place to hear the comments elicit
ed by the letters
One, two, three-seven, said Frank.
Very well, indeed, for the first mail. By-
the by, Hal, how are we 10 divide them. sun-
"We'll read them all over together. and
then as you wrote the advertisement, YOU
shall have the first choice
Agreed
They opened two or three and read them
aloud. Various were the edifying remarks
elected, and hearty the laugh. At last Frank
TOOK up dainty looking little missiye, writ
ten on rose tinted and rose perfumed paper
Ah 20 he exclaimed, 4" here's a little dar-
ling. Hal, this is mine. claim it at once
An! isn't 1t charming? ?' He read on in si
hence tor a time, and then as if unable longer
to suppress his admiration, he exclaimed,
DO listen, Hal, this is really captivating
L wish L knew the little mink who wrote il
ITO N. G. b With a hand whose tren-
bllngs only family shadow forth the shiyerings
OF my heart, take up my pen to address you.
Are you, can il be that ycu are the oou6ter-
part of a soul, which Just gliding trembIiugIv
from the sweet unconscious period of girl.
hood, 10 sWeeter, DREAMER maidenhood. feels
even so soon the need Of a strong arm 10 guide
her safely through the perils that surround
the helpless and inexperienced
dare not hope it; and yet, as read the
concluding lines Of your advertisement. a
strange emotion of mingled fear and hone
thrilled like premonition Of destiny through
my soul; and contrary though il NAV be -
the dictates of both prudence and proprietv.
L cannot resist the impulse which draws me
on to speak to you; TO try whether nv words
have power to thrill your heart strings as Won
have thrilled mine.
L have no parents to claim nv present
love and sympathy. Only those bonds which
stretch across the heavy tide that separates
this from another world, unite me to them
childlsss uncle and aunt, with whom I re-
side, a re my only friends. love them, but
they are prosy old fashioned people, seeing
little OF the world, and with their puritan
principles deeming me yet too young III am
seyenteen) to be introduced to all the folIies
and gaieties, as they term them, which mark
society in our day.
/" This, however, L care nothing for. With
the companionsbip of books, of music, and of
art, should be perfectly happy; only thatI
long for one gentle heart, one soul, into which
L can pour all my hopes, and longings, and
who can share with me all the dreams and
visions of the future which visit my heart.
Perhaps 1t may be wrong, unm Q denly, TO
confess SO much toyou but an impulse 1 know
not from whence il urges me on. Even IL Won
are not, and scarce dare hope you are, the
spirit made for whom yearn, you cannot
speak my name jestingly, for it is not vet
known to you. Buff you feel, on reading
this, that there is that in your heart, which
responds 10 the utterance of mine If as Won
trace the many wanderings Of my pen, there
comes to you, you know not whence. a strange
that destiny is near, then write to
ne, and your note will be golden ray;
piercing the clouds Of an overshadowed life,
'r the first sweet breath of spring, stirring
.he wavelesss depths Of hitherto scaled and
hidden fountain. CLARABEL
"Brooklyn, Box 36."
"Clarabel ~ a sweet name, isn't" said
Frank, "just fitting the sweet, innocent, gift
I'd little creature she seems. Really this il
worth while. L never expected
lnything half so agreeable to result from the
What a creature you are, Frank, 30 enthu-
iastic. What is that she says about her
words thrilling your heart as yours has thrill
ID hers Bah I! it's all hoax, you may de-
,end upon it,
Nay, now you are judging her by your
elf, Hal. She is evidently in earnest. Just
ne of those sweet little beings one sometimes
reams of, but seldom sees Pure and pale
S lily, loving and bowing as passion-Aow-
r, yet gifted withal"
Frank Ripley growing sentimental, by the