The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-02-22

her eyes flashing she presented to Mark
appreciatiye faculties beautiful and uncx
pected vision. She could not regain hel
breath for moment, and they stood looking
at each other in animated silence i'll may
use the expression.
'Miss Brydon, believer said Mark al
length.
'Yes,sir. Excuse me, but think you lef,
this book yonder by the creek, did you not
| saw you sleeping there as l passed down
the shore, and when l returned found the
book near by
In truth, Mark had forgotten his sketch
book when he left his slecping-place.
Il am greatly obliged to you,' he said. il
was very careless Of me to leave 1t, and very
thoughtful of you to restore 1t to me. | am
sorry, however, that you htigued yourself
so.'
.Oh, that is nothing. A little exercise
never hurts anybody, and I'm famous
walker.
Their ways lay in tho same direction so
they continued in company chatting about
common place matters until they reached the
long, low promontory, on the extremity OF
which the hermitage stood.
1T is but few steps to my den yonder,
said Mark, and you seem tired. A glass OF
wine will inyigorate you. Will you accept
of the poor hospitality can offer you p
As young girls are not generally famous
for want of curiosity. and as Miss Brydon's
life was not diversified by too many novelties,
she found refusal impossible; partially
sheltering herself under plea Of desiring to
examine the book she had saved from loss.-
She herself was fond Of drawing. she said,
and always liked to see the work of Others.
Once inside, not an object escaped her
quick eye. She took in everything at u
glance-the desk with its pile ofmanuscripts
the book case, laden with well-worn books;
the few clean dishes and cooking utensils
hung in corner; tho handsome rifle and
fowling piece suspended from the raitcrs; the
fishing tackle over the mantle; the bed in its
curtained alc)ve; the few pictures, mostly
water-colored views, with one done in oil,
representing Squire Thorley in his shooting.
costume-ina word, the entire inventory Of
the hernit's goods and chattels was taken in
q moment, BY his fair visitor.
After the simple hospitality Of the place
heretofore sacred to quarter-day-had been
partaken OF by the young lady, she departed.
gently refusing Marks proher of escort to
the villa.
'What is the matter with yod, Lois ?
asked her mother that evening; you seem
uncommonly dreamy
I'm sure don't think 80 mamma. feel
very stupid, to be sure: but that's my normal
condition you know, Did you ever notice,
mamma, what very handsome man We have
for landlord. i met him to day on the
beach,
As for Mark, his head was quito as full of
unwonted experience of that afternoon
When he sat ON the porch, in the fading
twilight, thougbtfully smokinga long chibo-
que, after supper, face kept arising ON the
Iale gray wreaths of smoke-a fine maidenly
face with 4 shing eve and rosy chceks-grow-
ing and fading, and growing, till angry with
himself he went in and took to his books.
Have lived here in this way for two
years. he asked himself, "a living proof of
the good Of peace and solitude, to be finally
upset by girls face?'
Yet that was the FIRST night in two years,
hot or cold, dry or wet, fair or stormy that
he really felt lonesome.
1t may have been very foolish-no doubt
it was--but it was certainly very natural,
also, for Lois Brydon to be suddenly seized
with such passion for nature. She passed
nearly half her time on the beach, and the
number Of sketches she made, the shells and
minerals she collected, the walking shoes she
wore out, and the facts she learned concern
ing tides, winds, etc., were beyond belief
Mark Thorley, too, seemed to have less fancy
for indoors studies than formerly. He lost
the sallOw, thin look that he had formerly
worn, and his shoulders broadcned with open
air exercise. His dress began to eyince some.
thing CT its ancient elegance and-fatal sign
the most of his writings now, instead OF be.
ing learned assays, treaties, etc. were rythmed
and mctered with lines ending in 'sighs,
'eyes,' and the like. His hermitage bore a
ncater order in its arrangements, and upon
its walls appeared new sketches, in pencil
and in color, executed in more delicate
style than his own, and bearing the initials
IL. b. in their coners.
Mrs. Brydon was not altogether in her
daughters confidence. She did not know
how intimate the young people were. tho
Lois had told her Of their gradually formed
acquaintanceship. Doubtless, +, had she known,
she would have considered II very improper;
but Lois was quick at reading character and
had OWNED that Mark was thoroughly q man
of honor-a gentleman-and therefore wor-
thy of her companionship.
Moreover, she loved him
One night, after an unusually agreeable
afternoon, Mark persuaded Lois to take sup.
per with him, in order to test the kind OF
fare q rccluse could denjoy. Hisstock ofbread,
butter, and eggs were freshly procured from
neighboring farm house; and no prepared
to catch some fresh fish, where-with to make
a sayory broil. The young girl consented |;
and the supper further enliyened by excel
lent coffee and bottle of choice Burgundy,
was pronounced delicious.
4 will escort you home,' said Mark. 'and
astonish your good mother by calling upon
her.
.She will he surprised, but not displeascd !
think. She paid you a compliment the other
day.
did she! What was III?
Guess
.Oh, I can't. She said was not 30 much
Of a fool as looked, perhaps
NO.
That knew what good company was.
| NO.
'That-that-I could cook blackish just
to turn
No; that is true, but she dosn't know
it,
Then can't guess. Tell mel
well she said you were too much OF
gentleman and toe handsome-too handsome
mind you-to live the life you had chosen,
and that II was shame!'
.0h. spare my blushes!'
In light and playful conversation the sup
per passed, and II was not until the dishes
were cleaned and put away-a task at which
Lois merrily asistei-that the young folks
discovered that II was raining.
4 'lt Is nothing said Mark confidently; 'the
wind Is westerly; Il can't rain long
II Lois waited while he smoked his chibOQue