The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-04-17
"What do you mean? 2" asked Mrs.

" W hat DO you mean!" asked Mrs.
Walter.
Gas l opened one of my letters" she
said, laughing in half pleased, half puz-
zled manner, "out fell photograph! Of
course, [ supposed it was one OF those |
had taken OF myself just before | left
New York -
"Well," calculated the eager chorus Of
listeners" and it was
"The prettiest baby you ever saw"
exclaimed Virginia, holding up the pictur-
ed representation of our old acquaintance.
"Baby Harry" and her auditors bounced
ecstatically upon it, uttering various tem-
nine adjectives of delight and admiration.
Saturday night arrived, most propitious-
ly, with a keen wind, brilliant starlight,
and Mrs. Leatord's spacious rooms were
soon filed. Mr.. Monroe and Captain May
were among the later arrivals, and made
their way towards Mrs. Leaford as skill
crinolne which swayed around
Here he is, Mrs. Leatord." calculated
Monroe, as at length he reached the lady
sought for, 1--WE brought him, according
to contract; but, do you believe, the lazy
fellow had coiled upon sofa for an eve
ming over his books. Ii. it hadn't been
for my indetatigable efforts, you wouldn't
have seen him here tonight! -
I'm sure I'm very much obliged to
YOU, said Mrs. Leatord, 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 York beauty, he
was half uncertain whether he was broad
awake, or wandering through the mazes Of
a dream There before him stood the lovely
reality of that lovely photograph, her jetty
hair wreathed with pearls, and her dark
beauty contrasted with dress Of the soft
est pink, with moss roses at her belt.
If he had been in love before, his case
was hopeless now-desperate, irremdiable.
How quickly the next two weeks flew
by. 1t was not until the night before he
sailed that Captain Raymond May mus
tered up courage to confess to Miss Lynne
that her similitude was in his possession
for, of course, that would necessarily in
volve the surrender of precious property.
But he felt that he must at length tell her
the truth; and so, with sinking heart, he
marched up the broad marble steps of Mrs.
Leatord's mansion, and was shown into a
pretty little room opening out of a fra
grant conservatory. AS he awaited Miss
Lynne's appearance, he nervously turned
over the pages of the gilded volumes that
lay on the table. One was Photographic
album, and he glanced mechanically at the
various faces there contained, without re-
ally seeing them, until suddenly the rosy
face of his own little Harry-Minnie's child
smiled pin his own!
"Why, is it possible? l must be mis-
taken"
But a second glance convinced him that
he was not mistaken. 1t was Harry May,
and nobody else's baby.
Suddenly light footstep disturbed his
reverie
Miss Lynne" he said earnestly, as
soon as the customary greetings OF the
day were exchanged, g | am in a state of
very great embarrassment and perplexity.
Will you solve the enigma for me 90
Certainly-if | can," said Virginia,
blushing, and with soft, uncertain ire
NOR at her heart.
Glow did this picture obtain a place in
your album %
The color subsidized into ordinary pallor,
as Virginia replied: In rather roman
tic manner, Captain May. 1t was sent to
me, with no accompanying message, and
I haven't the least idea whence it came
"Ah! that furnishes clue to the whole
mystery" said Captain May, placing upon
the table the picture which had lain next
to his heart for the last few days, and re-
lating briefly how it had fallen into his
possession. "By some mistake at the
photographers, my little Harry's picture
has been sent to you, and your likeness to
me. am widower, Miss Lynne, with
one child, as | suppose you have heard"
"No," said Virginia, coloring. Il was
not aware of it, but"
He looked earnestly into her face, where
the tell tale crimson was already begin
ming to glow, and the soft eyes to become
Swallowed with timid, downcast lashes;
he looked and saw something that en-
couraged him to ask another question.
"Miss Lynne-Virginia- keep
the picture?
And she did not say "No."
When Captain May sailed the next day,
it was with something to look forward
to " on his return.
"My dearest Virginia. exclaimed her
sister, "what have you been doing
Don't you know that Captain May is a
widower?"
eyes," said Virginia valiantly; but
that don't make any difference, love him,
and that's enough!
''And don't you know that he has a
baby?"
Well-and 1 love the baby too, be-
cause it is Raymond's."
"Oh!" said Mrs. Walter, archly, so