The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1863-12-05

de stopped abruptly. Monroe leaned
over with frank sympathy TO grasp his
friends hand.
pardon me, Raymond; I'm a stupid.
laundering fellow, 1 know, but l don't
mean to hurt you by any careless words.
Still, there is your child left you
Dear little Harry" said May, halfsmil-
ing, "but year old baby isn't much com
pahy for man of Thirty you must admit.
Besides, he is far better off under the low
ing care of my sister than he could be with
me-"
True said Monroe. twisting the quill
round his finger who's that knocking7
Letters, eh! 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 eyes fell on il he uttered an exclamation
of establishment.
/ "What a beauty" calculated Monroe
who, with the privileged impertinence Of
long established friendship, caught up the
! letter as it fell from Raymond's hands
"Well, I'd just like to know what this
meansn'
Upon my word-upon my honor, Char
ley" ejac ulated the astohished young man,
Il never saw the face before! l cannot
.imagin who she IS, nor how it came here!"
"Not a word! but the direction is GER
tainly plain enough-'Captai Raymond
May, Philadelphia Well, I can only rec
ommend you to wait patiently for time to
solve the question:" said Monroe. rising.
Come. do look up for a moment from that
enhancing photograph, and give fellow a
! little attention. | want to know if you are
going to Mrs. Leaford's Saturday night?''
"Yes-no-I don't know | hayn't
made up my mind
"Al right; I'll call for you at nine to
moment
I Away went Monroe, leaving Raymond
May still bending over the countenance
which seemed to enchant him.
The exotics in Mrs. Leaford's bay win
dows were in full blossom and brightness;
the fire, which one or two days had render
ed far from disagreeable, even in April,
glowed cheerfully in the CRATE, and half a
dozen young guests, matronized by their
pretty hostess, and Mrs. Walter, from New
York, were busy, some reading. some chat
ting, some engaged in the graceful mystic
ries of embroidery and crotchet.
''By the way, where is Virginia." asked
Mrs. Laaford.
''She will be down presently answered
her sister; 'she has taken 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
a white cashmere morning wrapper, re-
leved by the futter of ribbons.
"Lizzy." she said, coming TO her sisters
side, Il have had the strangest adventure
this morning.
"What do you mean?" asked Mrs. Wal
ter.
GAS I opened one of my letters,'' she
said, laughing in a half pleased, half puz-
zled manner, tout fell photograph! OF
course. l supposed it was one of those 1
had taken for myself before 1 left New
York"
WELL" calculated the eager chorus of
listeners, ''and it was"
''The prettiest baby you ever saw!" ex-
claimed Virginia, holding up the pictured
representation CT our old acquaintance. baby
Harry, and her auditors bounced exstatically
upon it, uttering various feminine adJectives
of delight and admiration.
Saturday night arrived most propitiously
with keen wind and brilliant starlight, and
Mrs. Leaford's specious rooms were soon
filled. Mr.. Monroe and Captain May were
among the last arrivals, and made their way
toward Mrs. Leaferd as skilfully as they
could through the mass of crinoline which
swayed around the room.
Here he is, Mrs. Leaford!' calculated
Monroe, as at length they reached the lady
sought for. "I've brought him according
- ! H.
fellow had cooled up on sofa for an even
ing over his book. If it hadn't been for
my indefatigable efforts don't believe you
would have seen him here tonight"
"I'm sure I'm very much obliged to
you" said Mrs. Leaford, laughing. "Cap-
tain May, the only amends you can make
for such an outrageous breach of discipline
is to be just as agreeable as you can to my
fair guests tonight. Miss Lynne. LET me
present Captain May"
As the young officer bowed low over the
extended hand of the New Y ork beauty he
was half uncertain whether lie was broad
awake or wandering through the mazes of
a dream. There, before him, stood the
lovely reality of that lovely photograph,
her ietty hair Wreathed with pearls, and
her dark beauty contrasted with dress of
the softest pink. with moss roses at her belt.
If he had been in love before, his case
was desperate now.
How quickly the next two weeks flew byl
It was not until the night before he sailed
that Captain Raymond May mustered up
courage to confess to Miss Lynne that her
similitude was in his possession; for, of
course, that would necessarily involve the
surrender of the precious property. But
he felt that he must al length tell her the