Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1859-03-11

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for dead certainty"
One morning he sat with his friend El
lery--it was two weeks since the opening 9
this story--in the same room; and his fac
now was not listless as then. but wore
preoccupied and rather troubled look, a
turning with sigh to his friend, who wa
watching the wreaths of smoke curling owe
his head from his cigar, he said, "Ellery
what do You think will be my chance 70
success with Miss Martin p
"4Mss Martin !" replied Ellery, with .
provoking smile, as he knocked the ashel
from his cigar deliberately against his boot
"Whyr to be plain with you, my dear fellow
/ think you have but slight chance. Take
my advice--far better try the widow"
Oh hang the widow !" exclaimed
Shirley. :. But joking aside, why do yor
think so? Sne appears to like me and
without vanity, may be considered hand
some and agreeable enough for any girl
with an unoccupied heart to love; more es-
pecialIy when WOO"
"Ah yes. But there's the rub, Shir-
ley. The unoccupied heart There is no
apartment to let in that heart, ] fatter
HiNoCii ltdott II L Ietil lluSi 10 WOiHdU >
vows, as l am inclined to do in this case"
What do you mean, Ellery?" That
you love her, and that she-Pshaw I"
"You may 'pshaw as much as you like,
Sir Irresistible, but It's true, notwithstand-
ing; am myself engaged to that very
same Miss Martin {"
/" For once in your life be serious, Ellery,
if you cam
"Serious! Well, if you will not take
my word, I'll swear to it, Shirley. And if
you still doubt me, go and ask her your
self; | give you leave. But you had bel-
ter take friends advice, a..d inform the
widow of your matrimonial proposals whilst
in the spirit"
Shirley came very near saying TINT
which were better left unsaid, as he rose
from his chair and paced up and down the
room. Ellery sat smiling to himself, as,
tilted back in his chair, with his cap set
jauniily on the side of his head-he coolly
finished his cigar-tempting the now thor
oughly irritaied Shirley, by his mocking
air, to knock him over every time he APP
preached. AT last. having finished smoking,
Ellery rose. and as he was drawing on his
gloves, making ready for a start, he said,
g Come my good fellow, don't be cast down.
If you can't get Mss Martin, take Mrs.
Martin. 'One of the name is as good as
the s,ime,' as the old saying has il and |
really believe she has fancy for you.'
He did not stop to hear his fiiend's an
swer, as he left the room with laugh.
Shirley continued his walk--now rapidly.
then stopping, again fast--till he came to
dead halt in front Of the window.
Impossible There is no truth in this
world if il exist not in Juliette Martin. /
have heard her express an opinion concern
ing Ellery, and even laugh at him, which
no woman ever does at the one she
loves. | will go by George, and ask her
indeed. If It's true, then will / never trust
womankind again I"
And walking to the glass, he brushed his
dark locks as carefully as ever did one of
the weaker sex; and then, taking his
gloves and hat, he started for Mrs. Emp
IONS.
His own heart was humping as loud as
he old-fas hioned knocker to his nervous
zap, as he stood on the doorstep. He was
lshered into the comfortable parlor, where
he SUMS rays came slyly in through the |
closed blinds, playing hide and seek with /
he roses of the carpet, and where the red, |
glowing light from the fire fell upon the |
bright face of Juliette, as she sat on low |
ottoman, playing with the curly-headed An
lie, whose silvery laugh was echoed by the |
mellow, cheerful one Of the mother. There /
vas no one else in the room. After the morn I
ng salutations, Shirley said, " Has not FL I
cry been here?"
:" Yes" she replied, :" he and my sister
ire out visiting"
Shirley moved his chair closer to the low |
ottoman. Excuse me-" he said, g if / ask |
you one question, and do not, beg, deem
ne impertinent / entreat you to answer I
ne frankly, for assure you my whole
earthly happiness depends on the answer. |
Are you really engaged TO Ellery 2"
"Whol ], Mr.. Shirley? You must be
lreaming," said Julieite, and she opened
Ter large dark eyes still larger in her sur
,rise, her face and neck coloring deeply as
he met his glance.
8 There is some mistake in this" NUT
cred Shirley. He told me this morning
hat he was engaged to you, and bid me
>h you 10 cohfince myseli.
/" Why, the man must be crazed, surely.
let | wonder still more at yo,t in believing
i'm. You to whom" and again the
ace was bent over Annie's ringlets TO hide
be tears yelling up in those eyes, whilst
he child sat demurely listening. as if bound
, recollect each and every word.
:" did mott do not now believe him."
aid Shirley :. though he told me that he
'as engaged to Miss Martin"
A merry laugh rose to her lips, as she
uickly raised her face, still crimsontd d with F.,
right bushes. Ab, yes, see it all now.''
aid she. " He really is engaged to Hiss |
Iartin. But who on earth do you take me |
,r?"
. For Miss Martin, of course-Miss Ju-
eite," was his amazed reply.
am Mrs. Martin. and the mother Of {
ais little girl" she replied; and she stopped
, kiss Annie, for she was sadly afraid the {
'ugh would again break forth, such be-
-ildered face met her view.