Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-05-08

The exotics in Mrs Leaford's bay window
were In full blossom and Brightness; the fire
which one or two days had rendered far from
disagreeable, even in April, glowed cheerful,
In the crate, and half dozen young guest
matronized by their pretty hostess and Mrs
Walter from New York, were busy, eomt
reading, some chatting, and some engaged II
the graceful mysteries OF embroidery ani
crotchet. " N4h 10 a" '''' ' At
"By the way, where ID VirginiO7" asked Mr.
Leaford, glanclng around.
"She will be down presently" answered he,
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 pretter than ever, in Whit
cashmere morning wrapper; relieved by the
flutter of blue ribbons.
a"Lizzy," che said, coming TO her alster,a aide
al have had the straugest adventure this morn.
ing"
"What do you mean1" asked Mrs. Wal
ter.
As opened one of my letters" she said
laughing in half pleased, half puzzled man
ner, out fell photograph! OF course, SUP
poued 1t was one OF those Lad taken Of mysel
just before left New York"
"Well," calculated the eager chorus of list
ener9, "and II was"
"Thc prettiest baby you ever savr' exclaim
ed Virginia, holding up tho pictured represen-
tstion of our old acquaintance, "Baby Harry. y
and her auditors ponnced ecstatcally upon it,
utteriDg various feminine adiectiyes of delight
and admiration.
Saturday night arrived, most propitously
with keen wind, brilliant starlight, and MRS,
Leaiord's spacious rooms we're soon filled. Mr..
Monroe and Captain NJ .y were among the later
arrivals, and made their way toward Mrs. Lea
ford as skillfully as they could, through the
maea Of crinoline which swayed around.
"Here he Ia, Mrs. Loaford' calculated Mon.
roe, as at length he reached the lady gought
for. "Tve brought him, according to contract;
but, do you believe, the lazy fellow had coiled
upon sofa for an evening over his books! II
it hadn't been for my indefatigSble efforts, you
wouldn't have seen him here Tonight"
"Pm sure I'm very much obliged to you,"
said Mrs. Leaford, laughing. "Captain MAY,
tho only amends you can make for such an out
rageous breach of discipline, is to be juet as
agreeable ae you can to my fair guests tonight
Miss Lynne, let me present Captain May
As the young officer bowed low over the ex-
tended hand OF the New York beauty, he was
halt uncertain whether he was broad awake or
wandering through the mszes of dream -
There before him, stood the lovely reality OF
that lovely photograph, her jetty hair wresthed
with pearls, and her dark beauty contrasted with
a dress OF the soiteet pink, with moss roses al
her belt.
1t he, had been in love before, hs case waE
0pe!ees-desperate irremediabIe.
How quickly the next two weaks flew By
lt was not until the night before he ssilrd thai
Captain Raymond May mustered up courage Il
confess to Miss Lynne that her similItude was il
bis poasession--for, of course, that would ne
cessafily involve the surrender OF tina. property
Bot be felt that be must ct length tell her the
truth; and 80, with sinking heart, he marched
up the broad marble steps OF Mrs. Leaford's
mansion, aud was shown into pretty little
room opening out OF fragrant conservatory -
AS he awaited Miss LyDne's appearance, he
nerVOusly turned over the pages of the gided
volumes that lay on the table. One was Dioto.
graphic album, and he glanced mechanically at
the VaTious faces there contained, without rsally
seeing them, uatii suddenly the rosy face OF hia
oWn little harrJ-Nlinnio's child--emiled 10 in
his own! . = 2
"Why, is il possible2 | must be Mistaken ~
But second glance convinced him that be
was not mistaken. Ii Was Harry May, aad no.
body else's baby.
Suddenly q light foOtstep disturbed his reverie
" Mics Lynne" ho said earnestly, as soon Of
the customary greetings OF tho day were ex-
changed, am in slate of great embarrass-
ment and perplexity. Will you solve the CO.
igma for me2"
Certainly--if 1 oan," said Virginia, blush
ing, and with soft, uncertain tremor at he
heart.
How did this picture obtain place in you
aibum7" 81, r.. Fr n,
The color subsidized into ordinary pallor, ai
Virginia replied; H In rather romantic man
ner, Captain May. 1t was seat TO me, with a,
accompanying message, aud haven't the leas
idea whence IL came."s
"Ah! that furnishes clue to the whole mys
terry" said Captain May, placing upsn beiiabls
the picture which laid next to his heart for ths
last few days, and relating briefly how ID haC
fallen into his possession. By somo mistake
Of the photographers, my little Harry's picture
has been sent to You, and your likeness TO me
i am widower, Miss Lynne, with one child, as
] suppose you have heard.
"No," said,sVirginiaS coloring,G"I was moi
aware of it, but"
I He looked earnestly into her face, where th,
tell tale crimson was already beginning to glow
and the soft seyes TO become shadosed will
tmid, dowacast laahes; no looked ond 80 a
something that ehcouraged him 70 ask another
question. ,Isvs
:" Misq -VEginia-may keep the pic
tnrew
! And abe did not say emo"
When Captain May sailed the next day, |
was with something to ''loOk forward to't OF
his Ieturn. r
"My dearest Virginia." exclaimed her sister
" what have You been doIng2 Don't you knoV
that Capt. May is a widoWer9'
"Yes," said Virginia, valiantly; "but tina
don't make any difference. love him, an,
that's enoughW
" And don'tyou know that he has baby 2,
"Well-and love the baby, 100, because |
is Raymond's." r, .y,,.-c-.r
"Oh!" said Mrs, Walter, archIy, $50 20,
have overcome your horrors of second hant
blbiea. Well, my dear, only take care tina
he don't keep quosiag Mrs. May Numbe
One.p .i-,..
81 have no fear of thas," aaid vlrgini
quietly. t..-r ..o'sr
And lime proved lhe correctness Of her pro
imises, lOr We don't koow any happier youp
wife than Mre. May Number Two; and il i
hard to say which she loves the best, her hus
band OF Baby Harry"
, "A A IN f1 4 Nr NJ Cl, a