Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-11-14

me open your correspondence
May complied, tearing open the invel-
opes and glanciDg carelessly over their
enclosures until he came to the last one;
as his eyes fell OH it he uttered an excla-
nation of establishment!
.What n beauty calculated Monroe,
who with the privileged impertinence of
long established friendship, caught up
the letter as it fell from kaymod's hand.
We'll, I'd just like to know what this
meansn
upon my word-upon my honor,
Charley CALCULATED the astonished
Young man, Il never saw the face before
| cannot imagine who she is, nor how
it came herep
Not n word but the direction is GER
tainly plain enough-Capt. Raymond
May, Philadelphia
well, I can only recommend you to
wait patiently for time to solve the ques-
tion,' said Monroe, rising. Come do
look up a moment from that entransing
photograph. and give fellow little at
tention-I want to know if you are go
ing to Mrs. Leaford's Saturday nighta'
'Yes-no-I don't know. | haven't
made up my mind
'All right; I'll call for you at nine to
moment
Away went Monroe, leaving Raymond
still bending over the countenance which
seemed to enchant him.
The exotice in Mrs. Laaford's bay win
dows were in full blossom and bright
ness; the fire which one or two days had
rendered far from disagreeable, even in
April gowed cheefully in the CRATE, and
hall dozen young guests matronized by
their pretty hostess and Mrs. Walter,
from New York, were busy, some read
ing, some chatting. some engaged in the
graceful MYSTERIES of embroidery and
crotched.
BY the way, where is Virginia. ask
cd Mrs. Leaford.
'She will be down presently answer
ed her sister; she has taken her letter 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 futter of rib
bons.
sLizzy,' she said coming to her sisters
side, Il have had the strangest adventure
this morning.
'What do you mean?' asked Mrs. Wal
ter.
'As l opened one of my letters she
said, laughing in half pleased, half puz-
zeled manner, 'out fell photograph! Of
course, supposed it was one of those l
had taken Of M self before left New
York
WELL calculated the eager chorus of
listeners, land it was
The prettiest baby you ever sawr ex-
claimed Virginia, holding up the pictur-
ed representation of our old acquain-
lance, baby Harry and her auditors
pounced extatically upon it, utterirg va
rious feminine adjectivcs Of delight and
admiration.
Saturday night arrived most propi-
tiouslv, with keen wind and brilliant
starlight, and Mrs. Leaford's spacious
rooms were soon filed. Mr.. Monroe and
Capt. May were among the last arrivals,
and made their way towards Mrs. Lea
ford as skiIlfully as they could through
the mass Of crinolne which swayed
around the room.
Hero he is, Mrs. Leafordp CALCULATED
Monroe, as at length he reached the lady
sought for. I've brought him according
to contract; but, do you believe, the law
fellow had coiled up on a sofa for an ey-
cning over his book! If it hadn't been
for my indefatigable efforts l don't believe
you would have seen him here tonight
Pm sure Pm very much obliged to
you,' said Mrs. Leaford, laughing. Capt.
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 Capt. May.
As the young officer bowed low over
the extended hand Of the New York
beauty, he was half uncertain whether
he was broad awake or wandering
through the mazes of dream. There,
before him, stood the lovely reality of
that lovely photograph, her jetty hair
wrea,hcd with pearls, and her dark beau
ty contrasted with Dress of the softest
pink, with moss roses at her belt.
If be had been in love before, bis case
was desperate now!
How quickly the next two weeks flew
by 1t was not until the night before he
sailed that Capt. Raymond May muster
ed up courage to confess to Miss Lynne
that her similitude was in his possession
for, Of course, that would necessarily
involve the surreud II Of the precious prop
erty. But he thought that he must at
length tell her the truth; and so, with a
sinking heart, he marched up the broad
marble steps of Mrs. Leaford's mansion,
and was shown to a pretty little room
opening out of fragrant conservatory.
As he waited Miss Lynne's appearance,
he nervously turned over the gifted vol
umes that lay on the table. One was a
photograph album, and he here glanced |
mechanically at the various faces it con-
tain I'd, without really seeing them. until
suddenly the face of his own little Harry |