The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1862-07-02

selecting New Hampton as my destina-
ton, l had no definite purpose in view /;
but in n place of its size had no doubt
of being able TO. secure some lucrative sit
uation, and the office Of "Boots" was
better, if l could be left unmolested, than
the station Of President, if l must lose
my identity, and be attacked by viragos
in the streets.
II was near noon of the next day when
tho train whirled up to the depot at New
Hampton. l alighted and was fastening
down the platform TO look after my bag
gage, when l saw a young lady, in a
brown silk walking-dress, earnestly ro-
garding me. AS she caught my eyes,
she threw up her vail and sprang toward
me. AS the vail swept back, it revealed
the lovcliest face l had over looked upon.
/ had never dreamed Of anything half so
beautiful. In involuntary admiration /
stood still. She threw herself into my
arms-her arms fell around my neck
her velvet cheek touched mine-and such
a kiss as she planted full ON my lips (!
My face was in blaze. Ifelt as if l had
been stewed in honey, with lavender for
favoring. She repeated the kiss-the
munifcent little angel! exclaiming:
"Dear, dear Richard! How delighted
l am that you have come at last!
l was dumb. My mouth was sealed
up with the sweetness of her kisses. l
dared not speak lest / should dissolve the
spell.
"We have been expecting you for four
whole days. Only think what period
of suspensep went on the soft voice of
the lady, as, clasping my hand, she drew
me unresistingly TO ph@ton in waiting.
There, make yourself easy. I'm going to
drive. Isn't it pleasant TO be waited on,
Richardp
The arch brown eyes sought minc as,
drawing up the fur-lined robes, my COM
panion shook the reins over the white
horses, and we whirled rapidly away.
"Papa is so anxious to see you once
more, Richard; but his rheumatism is
worse to-day, and he could not drive down.
William is absent on an errand for the
bride. But ! would come. ] wanted so
much TO be the first one 10 greet you,
dear Richard. Alice is so beautiful and
so deeply, beautifully happy Richard,
you ought to be the most grateful man
alivep
"I-I-believe l am! exclaimed |,
as reaching up her sweet face, the little
enchantrcss favored me with another kiss,
which, this time, / repaid, with compound
interest, and then blushed boiling hot to
think Of it.
AT this moment the phaton stopped
at the door of a fine old mansion on an
aristocratic street; and mechanically |
alighted and lifted out my companion
The Hall door was flung open. The
clasping hand of the young lady drew me
within the vestibule; her musical voice
called softly at the door of a Joaaoir:
"Alice, Richard has Gomez
Instantly the door flew open, and a
dark-baired, beautiful woman came forth
She gazcd at me an instant with unutter-
able tenderness, and then embraced me,
with a mingling of fervor and shyness.
Verify, was favored individual. An
elderly gentleman, supporting himself by
cane, now came forward and saluted me,
calling me his "dear son." and cutting
short everything l attempted to say by
his volubility.
The folding-doors separating tho sit
ting room and parlors were thrown apart
l heard the subdued hum of voices, the
rustling of heavy silks, and waiting in
the allowed arch, in an east window, | saw
a clergyman in gown and bands. The ell
derly gentleman took tho hand Of the
dark haired Alice and placed it in mine.
"Take her." he said with emotion,
"and may God prosper you. We will
have tho most important thing first, and
dinner afterward. The guests are already
getting impatient"
l glanced at Alice's dress. It was
bridal white; her beautiful hair was
crowned with wreath Of orange BIOS
SONS. The sight gave mo a tremor /
felt weak and faint. My pallor must have
alarmed Alice, for she clutched my arm
wildly, and gazcd into my face with pain
ful anxiety.
"What is il, Richardl Merciful beav-
enl Helen, look at him! He is illv
"It is nothing-nothing| / gasped.
"Only l cannot marry you! /"
"Oh heavenr' cried Alice, in Mortified
dismay; and seeing she was about to fall,
/ flung my arm around her for support.
AT this moment the hall door was open
ed, and, turning to the sound, I saw, with
my own eyes, my second self enter the
room! My exact counterpart. Richard
Smith, number two. His fierce eyes took
in the scene at one swooping glance. He
rushed toward me with wild eiacula-
ton, and, tearing the half-fainting Alice
from my arms, he planted his firm grasp
on my throat. / put my hand on the
Same locality Of his body.
"What are you doing" he thundered
in my ear.
"What are you doing1" / thundered,
in response.