The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-10-14

IOu ccch N0Ay s0e"b w w o"S" '" 49,
nit. Come, you must marry. lwill find
you wife. and keep her we'll. too."
eyes. you must forget the Faithless Maid,
now" said Miss Leith, smiling again. i
suppose she had heard some Of the conjec-
lures about Dams lie.
al do not moan to be inquisitive," the ma
jor said, "bur cannot bear to see young
man like you, and one, too, who is 70 supe-
rior to this sort OF work, settling down to
such life. Remember what We owe to you.
Will you not tell me your trouble? ] may
be able to help you: and l swear l won't
spare money or trouble to make you happy
Although, of course, did not want any
pecuniary help, his kind way in offering it,
and tho latherly manner in which he put his
haud on my shoulder as l bent forwards,
made Inc ashamed Of the trick which | had
played upon him. lie must sooner or later
find il out and wondered within myself, as
I leaned over tho oars, looking down.. with
his hand upon my shoulder, whether he
would then be so kind as now.
81 should like to see you privately to NOR.
row, sir" said, putting of the time MS
long as could.
"very well, then. Come in the morning
at elevcn-No. 6 Marine Gardens. Ask for
Major Lcith."
promised to do so, and nothing moro was
said about it during our pull.
"Good bye" said Mr.. Henry Leith, when
he was on the beach. "The governor has
had all the talk to himself to day; but |
shall see you again soon."
"Good byc," said Miss Lcith with nod,
rs her brother helped her out. GOOD bye"
al wonder il she will nod and smile," |
thought, "when she finds out who | am. /
shall be certain to see her again this after
noon at the band but she won't know me
without this hat, I'll risk it at any rate
What a jolly smile she has,"
Though did not expect to be recognized.
| had, whilst dressing, sundry qualms about
going; and when the tme came for me to
start, was sitting in the window, still hes-
tating had just decided that would not
go. when Ned walked up the garden and
stepped into the room.
"Well, old fellow, you'll be late" he said.
tapping my knees with his stick. "Don'tbe
so idlo. Como along" ."-f'e'''' ''''-''''
al am not going, Ned"
"Not going! Why not? Miss Leith is sure
to be there. All zee. You find it's no
good struggling against me. respect your
sense of discrimination but can't walk
there without somebody. just come to
keep me company"
So | took his arm, and We strolled togeth
er into the Rose Gardens.
There's that swell girl met last night,
he said. "Lucas will be ut her side in mi.
mute il don't look out. Ta-ta."
Dropping my arm, he raised his hat to tho
Young lady, and then walked of by her side
just as Lucas came up.
III don't think Miss Leith is here" said
Lucas to me; "but there is Letitia Turner at
the other end, looking such an awful fright"
Letitia, who was on the wrong side OF
thirty, honored me. when We met, with
most gracious bow. She certainly did look.
as Lucas said, "an awful fright" and whilst
was admiring the gorscousnass of hcr "gct
up" awkwardly trod upon the dress Of u
lady who was sitting down.
"I beg your pardon, said, turning round
and raising my hat
1t was Miss loith; and ! saw in mo.
ment, from the blush that colored her check,
that was recognized. It was my voice, |
knew, that had betrayed me; but | walked
on till came to the ratings that bounded
the gardens. There was no gate ut the side
where was. or should have gone out;
and the nearest one was exactly opposite the
scat which the Lciths occupied. waited
for some minutes looking over tho railings,
and then turned round. And standing di-
rectly in front OF me was Major Leith. thus
entirely cutting OF al! means of retreat.
"How do you do, Mr.. Baker," he said,
with grin, while I felt rather uncomforta-
BILE.
Thcn I stammcrcd out something, apollo
eizing for tho deceit | had practiscd.
81 was going to tell you Tomorrow" ]
said; {" but hope, that You will not think
tho worse Of me ior it,"
"By my faith, sir, that l won't. l
thought, this morning, that you looked
dcyilish gentleman like boatman, and said 50
to my daughter. 1t is I who have to apollo
gizc for calling to you, yesterday, as did;
but had not time to look ut you. l only
saw man in boatman's clothes, and. oI
course. took you for ono. Give mo your
hand, hc said stretching out his own, and
then adding, with a laugh, "thoush, sup
pose. now you will not want me to put
roof over your head, vet shall always be
heartily glad to see you under mine. By
thc.byc, as you are no longer Mr.. Baker,
what name do you wish to assume now?'
"Astley."