The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-08-26
Friday Morning, Aug. 26, 1864.
Like Cures Like.

ScA tain Oaptalh seymour, daShlDg o.
fcer, handsome, shapely, and six feet high
had. two or three years before, proposed 10
Emily, and had been rejected. He was a goo,
nalnred fellow, and when she told him, ate
the approved formula, that though she nevei
could love him as husband She could es
teen him as friend, he took her at her word
and maintained a friendly inleicourse witt
the family. Emily liked him thoroughly ii
this capacity, for he never looked or talked il
sentimental fashion, or tried to make her be
lieve he still thought tenderly about her. bu
acted with manly sense aud spirit. Mr.. Mel
son halt worshiped him, for whether il was tc
listen TO story after dinner, or to walk ovel
grounds, inspecting Improvements, or to dis.
euss the politics Of the day, Seymour was un.
equalled.
Thus privileged in the family circle. aud
distinctly understood TO be not suitor but a
friend, he became very intimate with the lady
he once hoped TO win. Edward, though lar
too high-minded to suspect Emily OF any
double dealing, looked upon the gay soldier
with suspicion. Friendship is very nice
thing-that every one conlesses-but when a
handsome young lady is said TO cherish frienti-
ly feelings towards a fine looking cavalry Of
ticer, little uneasiness in that third persons
breast should be lenienily regarded. Edward
had no decided hostility to Captain Seymour
still considered him an inlerloper, and when
conversing with him preserved rather lrigid
cemeanor.
Perhaps Edwards uneasiness might have
increased had he known that on the morning
after the occurrence OF the incident above
mentioned, Emily had private conversation
with the merry hearted soldier Nor wouId
that uneaslness have been quieted had he been
informed that when Emily opened the conver-
sation her cheeks were slightly flushed and
her manner bashiu and hesitatiDg. Nor
would II have been much satisfaction 10 know
further that the captain appeared deeply in
terested in what he had heard; while mos,
assuredly his uneasiness would have CHANGED
10 amazenent had he at the close of the inter
view seen the captain laughing and rubbing
his hands together like man in gleeful i'm
patience.
However, nothing of all this ever troubled
Edward, but something else did trouble him,
and that exceedingly; for the same evening
be went to dine with Mr. Nelson, and net
Seymour. This was an occurrence 10 be no
ticed, but the soldier should be silent and
melancholy was quite unusual aud surprised
Edward not little. However. before dinner
was over he observed that though the captain 5
tongue was idle his eyes were not. Every
nov and again, those fine dark orbs revoIyed
towards Emily and rested on her face with ey-
ident satisfaction. She manifested no disap-
proyai; on the contrary, after dinner she en-
tered into conversation with the soldier, and
speedily chased away his gloom, and during
the remainder of the evening remained be-
side him, listening TO bis animated descrip.
tion Of varions countries which be had visit
ed.
There was nothing very dreadful in all this
but We know that lovers find deep signif.
cance IN things that seem very insignificant
TO ordinary eyes, aud kyowing this, we are
not surprised that Edward felt uncomfortable
that evening.
During the two or three succeeding weeks
Emily aud the captain became alarlnngIy fond
OF each others society. Emily sooL discov-
cred that he was well informed on horlicutu-
ral subjects, and many a consultation they
had about the garden and the conservatory
and as TO turning music Tor her when she was
playing, the captains capacity was astonish-
ing. lie, on his part, asked her advice on a
Thousand different points; aud once, in Ed
wards presence, had the audaciiy TO inquire
.Did she like him in blue coat?'' or course
Edward was indignant; still Emily treated
him as kindly as ever, and he could lind nc
reasonable prelext for complaint; besides, il
was not improbable that a certain conscious,
ness of guilt kept him quiet However. the
captains imprudence came quickly to eli
max, and Edward, overcharged with iudigna
ton, exploded.
Oae day after dinner, the captain, Mr. Mel
son, Mrs. Nelson and Edward were setting
out Tor walk. Emily had declined TO ac
company them, pleading a sudden headache
They were not many yards iron the hous,
when Seymour abruptly announced that hi,
teeth were paining him sadly. The old ladJ
and gentleman became sympathetic at once
but Edward. who fancied he detected a cum
ming device in all this, could hardly disguise
his distrust.
"Why, captain said he, II have heart
you say you never knew what the tooihach,
was"
Yes replied the captain, with woiu
face, but | took some sugared almonds TO
day, and that conlounded confectionery ruin
the teeth
very swift in Its action, too" observe,
Edward, dryly.
YES" said the captain; "you see my teetl
are not in the best condition.
lis that sog" inquired Edward, with diff
cult sarcasm. Now, TO look at them on
would say they were perfect
Perhaps the captain perceived that his out
works were untenable, for he retreated 10 hi
main position and repeated his origiI al asst
tion that his teeth panied him sadly
II believe shall go back" he observed
"Miss Nelson will doctor it for me-
Bidding the party hasty adeu the captain
returned 10 the house.
To amble placidly along, responding to III
quiet remarks OF slow old gentleman on th
one hand, and slower old lady on the othe
TO occupy ninety-iive minutes In this wa,
while jealousy and anger were rife In h
breast, was to our hero u process, compared |
which a stretch on the rack became piee
OF peasantry. He had to endure IL, hoNeve
and when, on their return home, he wen
rather hastily into the drawing room he ha
10 endure the further morii1cation OF catcl
ing Emily aud the captain standing at one
the windows engaged In what sppeared TO |
al Interesting conversation. RrnaI king Wit
great dignity that he did not intend 10 distuI
them, Edward marched magnfeentiy ava
nor were his feelings soothed when. as /
shut the door, he heard the captain laughln
derislyeiy. II was Too bad. Itshould not ,
on. There was such a thing AS going ion "a
Fortifying his resolution with these decj.iy
and profound reflections he that very event.
contrived to ind Emily alone, and sought 4
explanation.
Really, did not expect this from you. . /
began, and TO do him justice there was MOI
regret than anger In his voice.
expect, what, Edward?' she asked, wi
admirable innocence.
"That you would treat me In such ma
ner.s he replied.
How have treated you, dear?" said Il
ily.
81 wonder you ask that question" said T
ard "For weeks past you have been sho
ng such attention to Captain Seymour, a
seeking bis society so much, that really / hs
resolved TO ask you--~,
"Whether you liked him more than MI
eald Edward.
"Whst nonsense, Edward" exclaimed t