The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-04-17

every well, ma'am. Theodore.' as
soon as the ladies had disappeared, ''just
write down the address, and tell the young
lady below that we are ready for her >
Virginia Lynne must have been hard
indeed to please, had she been dissatisfied
with the face reflected in the mirror, as she
took a last glance ere leaving the saloon
down stairs. Aproud, stately young beau
ty-and heart free as the widest fawn up
on the eastern hills.
"When can | have the picture?" she
asked.
I'm about five days, ma am"
No sooner. leave town tomorrow"
We can send it to you by mail, wher-
ever you are ma'aE,."
She hurriedly wrote upon card, Miss
Lynne, Philadelphia, and pushed it to-
ward him.
There is my address-please send it
as soon as possible.''
Captain Mays sitting room in the great
Philadelphia hotel was as snug little den
us man need wish for, with its carved mar
bic mantel, bright patterned carpet, and
luxurious sofas and lounging chairs, and
Captain May himself as he looked smiling
up from the perusal of a heap OF papers to
greet the entrance of a companion, was no
unfair specimen of a handsome young ma
val officer.
Well, Charley:
well, Nay-upon my word, if you're
not up to your ears in those old navigation
charts again. It's enough to make lazy
man ache to see Won work."
cts time to work." said May, good
humoredly." l expect sailing orders in
about a fortnight-and glad | shall be
be when they come"
"Glad!' calculated Charles Monroe,
throwing himself into a chair, and biting
at the end OF one of his friends quill pens.
"May, you're perfect problem to me
as uneasy on dry land as fish. | can't
understand it-hanged if | cant 49,.
''Perhaps you could" said Map, calmly,
eff you had no home ties-nothing to
look forward to-nothing to make life
pleaSanter in one spot than another, since
Minnie died
He stopped abruptly. Monroe leaned
over with frank sympathy, to grasp his
friends hand.
"Pardon me, Raymond: Pm stupid,
laundering fellow, | know, but l DOM
mean to hurt you by my careless words.
Still, there is your child left YOU"
dear little Harry said May, half
smiling, g but year old baby isn't much
company for man of thirty, you must ad-
nit. Besides, he is far better off under
the loving care of my sisters than he could
be with me- -
"True, - said Monroe, twisting the quill
round and round his fingers. 'Who's
that knocking? Letters, Ell? Don't
mind me, open your correspondence"
May complied, tearing open the envel-
opes and glancing carelessly over their en-
closures, until he came to the last one !
As his eye fell on it he uttered an excla-
nation Of astonishment.
"What beauty" calculated Mon
roe, who, with the privileged impertinence
of long established friendship, caught up
the letter as it fell from Raymond's hand.
"Well, I'd just like to know what this
means, you sly scamp"
"Upon my word-upon my honor,
Charley" calculated the astonished young
man, 81 never saw the face before! |
cannot imagine who she is, or how the
picture came here.''
"No message with it?"
"Not word! but the direction is GER
tainly plain enough-Captain Raymond
May, Philadelphia.
well, can only recommend to yon to
wait patiently for time to solve the ques-
tion,'' said Monroe, rising. "Come, do
look up for moment from the enhancing
photograph, and give fellow little at
tention-I want to know if you are going
to Mrs. Leaford's Saturday night?"
"Yes-no-I don't know. | haven't
made up my mind"
"All right; Ill call for you at nine to a
moment"
Away went Monroe, leaving Raymond
May still bending over the fair counten-
ance which seemed to enchant him like q
dream.
The exotics in Mrs. Leaford's bay win
dOws were in full blossom and brightness:
the fire, which one or two cool DAYS had
rendered far from disagreeable even in
April, glowed cheerfully in the CRATE, and
halt dozen young guests matronized by
their pretty hostess and Mrs Walter from
New York, were busy, some reading, some
chatting, and some engaged in the grace
fal mysteries of embroidery and CROCHET.
by the way, where is Virginia? ?" ask
ed Mrs Leatord, glancing around.
"She will be down presently" answer
ed her sister; "she took her letters up
stairs to read"
That very instant Miss Lynne's light
touch fell on the door knob, and she came
into the room, looking prettier than ever,
in white Cashmere morning wrapper,
relieved by the fiutter of blue ribbons.
"Lzzy," she said, coming to her sisters
side, 81 have had the strangest adventure
this morning.