Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-05-24

mered out my apologies as well as 1 could. But
the litter that greeted my ears on every side
made me endure agonies untold, until l es-
capped from the press, and vanished. Well,
that was bad enough, but my second encounter
was quite as excruciating. Yesterday after
noon I was going out to dine with friend at
Brixton, and as / was somewhat belated, 1
hailed an omnibus to save time. The driver
rolled his clumsy vehicle near the pavement,
and began to ascend the steps; but before. I
had reached the only seat still vacant, the i'm
pudent blackguard whipped up his horses,
thereby giving the whole conveyance sudden
lurch to one side. clutched convulsively at
the strap above, and as found had lost my
balance beyond recovery, endeavored to steer
myself in the blessed little harbor mentioned
without involving my neighbors in my own dis
tress. But with glance as quick as lightning
l measured the distance between the said seat
and my own awkward carcass, and perceived
it was impraeticable; with q shuddering pre-
sentiment shot momentary look at the lady
towards whom 1 was helplessly gravitating,
and imagine my chagrin at recognizing the in
Jured princess Of the day before. Of course it
was only the infnitessimsl fraction of Sec
ond that hovered in mid air, but during that
period, modification ran riot in my luckless
breast; the next instant, fall-a little shrek
"a roar of laughter-and was picking my
self from the lady's lap, and begging pardons
enough to reprieve all the criminals in chris
tendon. But my emotions were too much for
me; l could not look the lady in the face, and
if CHANGED to turn my eyes towards any one
OF the other passengers an unmistakable smile
curled the corners Of their mouths. They were
amusing themselves at my cost, and [ could
not resent it; so seizing the first opportunity,
when the crazy old thing stopped to put down
apassenger, made my exit from the Internal
old cart as quickly as possible. And now,''
o. ha fall .tI
lugubrious expression of the face, II am 60
ing out Tomorrow to hunt up this lovely in
cognlto, and return her handkerchief If rem.
contrs number four is not better than the
acid"
so would" returned the sympathizing
Harry. I'll fish for your body afterwards, and
bait my hook with Celia's handkerchief; dead
or alive you will snap at it. But if you return
the dainty article, tie your heart up in it, and
label the parcel, To the adorable Celia" for
one is as much her property as the other''
0u are an unregenerate Pagan, Harry"
repiled the young man, reddening. IF you
had the sensibility Of a boiled lobster, you
would know that self-respect requires me to
exeulpate myself in her eyes, and''-
"Oh, l understand" interrupted Harry.
taking leave of his companion at corner of a
street. II appreciate the delicacy of your sem
t!ments. But take my advice, be sure to con-
cillate mamma, and don't forget to send your
humble obedient his share of the cake Adieu,
mon ami-piue PomOur."
"Confeund the scamp muttered Ralph,
half nettled and half pleased at his friend 8
raillery, ''some day will be even with him.
But you might do worse, after all, Ralph Bar
ker; she's magnificent girl. Pshaw, when a
man begins to be fool, there is no stoppipg
l wish had given back her handkerchief at
the time. Let me look at it again"
With these words he produced the article in
question, and scrutinized it thoroughly; in one
corner was written, in delicate female hand
Isabella Harton." Having satisfied himself
peated 1t to himself several times, and men
tally resolved that he would see its beautiful
owner again before sunset
The afternoon accordingly found him stroll
ing about Brixton, inquiring for the residence
OF Mr.. HartOn. Several unsuccessful ATTEMPTS
to discover the nest of his bird of paradise were
at last followed by one more agreeable to his
wishes; and, more than half distrusting his
unusual method of seeking lady's acanaint-
ance, he approached a large, handsome man.
sion, situated on little e1 1inence with taste
fully arranged garden in front. He was per-
fectly conscious that etiquette would hold up
her hands in horror at the idea of his not being
formally introduced; but he reflected that
faint heart never won fair lady, and mentally
snapped his fingers at etiquette's face. He
rang the bell, and presently a page appeared
"Is Miss Harton at home7" he asked.
eyes, sir; will you step in?" replied the
butler, civilly. What name shall say?"
The young mans heart beat like a steam
engine at the thought of his own audacity.
"Be so kind as to take up my card, and say
that MIR. Baker requests to see Miss Harton a
few moments"
The page ushered him into the drawing. room. -.
oh q,
braced himself for the coming interview After
a short delay, which seemed to him like the
interval between the condemnation and exc
cution of criminal, the door opened and the
beautiful Isabella entered the apartment.
Without manifesting any surprise at such an
unusual visit, she politely motioned him to a
chair, ana seated herself at some distance from
him, awaiting the announcement of his errand.
: must request your indulgence, Miss Har-
tcn," said Ralph, with perfect outward self.
I .ssession, although inwardly he completely
realized the straDgeness of his position, "for
having taken so great liberty as to call upon
yo1 personally without ever having had the
honor of an introduction. NV object is simply
to return handkerchief which picked up in
the street, bearing your name. I might have
restored it to you without intruding upon your
leisure; but trust you will pardon the free
dom have ventured to take, in order to apol-
OSiLO COmpictSlJ WHAT must nave
seemed so much like intentional rudeness. By
some strange fatality, 1 have three times caused
you great annoyance, although nothing could
have been further from my wishes beg you
to believe that deeply regret my own awk.
wardness, and am most sincerely sorry ever to
have placed you in such embarrassing situa.
tions.o
Indeed, Mr.. Barker" replied the beauti.
ful girl, with pleasant and cordial smile on
her features, 'sI beg you never to think of ii
again; L assure you, you greatly exaggerate
the Importance of such tribes, which require
no apology at all. / am extremely sorry
you have taken the trouble to come so far
merely to restore a handkerchief, which |
was ignorant had lost until you mentioned
the fact"
At the conclusion Of his little speech, (which
We fear, was hardly an extemporo effort,) and
during Miss Harton's reply to it, Ralph had
been searching his pockets for the lest article
and picture the intensity Of his chagrin and
modification as the truth came upon him like
an avalanche that he had left it behind lisa.
bella instantly OWNED the real state of the
case she saw the blood rush to his face, red
dening 10 the roots Of his hair, and as swiftly
retreat, leaving it as pale as marble.
If she had not perceived the real stress oi
the young mans mind, the incongruity and
absurdity Of the whole matter would have
overpowered her self control but her quick
sympathy with all kinds of suffering took AWAY