Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-05-30

ooh, any pretty little concern I'll send
you one in the morning if you'll accept of it,
she added, with rosy light on her cheeks
again.
"If--Iii--accept 20 said Mark, feeling as if
he were in an atmosphere OF gold and pearl,
with two wings sprouting out of his broad
cloth, on either side. And just as he was o.
pening his lips to assure Miss Lily that he
was ready to take the precious gift in his arms
then and there, without any unnecessary delay,
the door opened and in walked Jones.
Mark was not at all cannibaistic in his pro-
pensities, but just then he could have eaten
Jones up with uncommon pleasure. And there
the fellow sat ,puling his long moustaches and
talking the most insipid twaddle-sat and sat
until Mark rose in despair to go. Even then
he had no opportunity to exchange private
word with Lily.
"You-you'll not forget
ooh, I'll be sure to remember.'' said she
smilingly, and half wondering at that unusual
pressure he gave her hand. ssLadies often do
provide their bachelor friends so''
Mark went home, the happiest individual
that ever trod a New York pavement. In
deed so great was his felicity that he INDUCED
in various gvmnastic capers indicative of bliss,
and only paused in them at the gruf caution
of policeman, who probably had forgotten
his own counting days-sCome, young man,
what are you about ?''
ssWaS there ever more delicate way of as
suring me of her favorable consideration
Was there ever more feminine admission of
her sentiment? OF course, she will come
herseif-an angel breathing airs from Paradise
and l shall tell her of my love. A house
wife, oh the delicious words! Wonder in
what neighborhood she would like me to en-
gage residence-how soon it would be best
to name the day Oh if l should awake,
and find it all a blissful dream ~
Early next morning, Mr.. Thornebroke set
briskly 10 work, s;rightng up things" How
he swept and busted and scoured-the room
was aired, to get rid of the tobacco smoke, and
sprinkled with cologne, and beautifed gener-
ally. And at length, vixen the dust was all
swept IN one corner, and covered by care
lessly disposed newspaper, he found the win
dow glass murky, and polished it with such
vengeance that his fist, handkerchief and all,
went through, sorely damaging the hand, and
necessitating the ungraceful accessory of an
old hat to keep out the wintery blast for the
time being. However.even this mishap didn't
long damp his spirits, for was not Lily coming.
Long and wearily he waited, yet no tinkle
at the bell gave warning of her approach.
ssIt's all her sweet feminine modesty,'' thought
he, and was content.
At length there was an appeal below, and
Mark IS heart jumped up into his mouth, beat
ing like a reveille drum. He rushed to the
door, but there was no one but a little grinning
black boy, with a box.
s'Miss Raymond's compliments, and here's
de housewife, sir.'
ssThe housewife, you little imp of Erebus ?''
eyes, sir, in the box, all right
Mark skunk back into his room and opened
the box, half expecting to see full-dressed
young lady issue from it, la Arabian Nights
but not was only little blue velvet book,
and full of odd compartments in azure silk,
containing tape, needles, scissors, silk, thim
bic, and all the nice little work table accesso-
rieS.
Sand she calls this a housewife!'' groaned
Mark, in ineffable bitterness of spirit at the
downfall of his bright visions. "But | won't
be put off so."
Desperation gave him courage, and off he
hied to the Raymond mansion, determined to
settle the matter if there were forty Joneses
and Esthers there.
But Lillian was alone. singing at her embro-
derry in the sunshny window easement.
s'Dear me, Mr.. Thornebroke, is anything the
matter ?''
Perhaps it was the shadow from the splen-
did crimson cactus plumes in the window that
gave her cheek such delicate gow-perhaps
but we have no right to speculate.
eyes" And Mark sat down by her side,
and took the trembling ,futtering hand. "You
sent me a housewife this morning!''
ssWasn't it right 2'' faltered Lillian.
ssIt wasn't the kind wanted at all 20
ssNot the kind you wanted 2"
"No; l prefer living one, and l came to
see if l could change it. l want one with |
brown hair and eyes-something, in short,
Miss Lillian, just your pattern. Can't have it?''
Lily turned white, and then red, smiled,
then burst into tears, and tried to draw away
her hand, but Mark held it fast.
ssNo, no, dear Lily first tell me can have |
the treasure l ask for.''
eyes," she said, with the prettiest confusion
in the world; and then, instead of releasing |
the captive hand, the unreasonable fellow |
took possession of the other, too. But as
Lily did not object we suppose it was all right.
And that was the odd path by which Mark |
Thornebroke diyerged from the walk of old |
bacheorhood, and stepped into the respecta-
BILE ranks of matrimony.