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

finished his long speech, he nodded again
mysteriously, asif to say, "Therc, I have en-
lightcned You quite enough for one day."
and then pulled on again.
As he seemed inclined to DO silent, and did
not speak, my thoughts gradually reverted
to our bet. Lucas had told us that the young
lady was Miss Leith, that the old gentleman
was Major Leith, and that they and Mr. Hen
~ Leith were living at No. 6 Marine Gar
dens. SO much information he had gathered
from the Cliiigate Chronicle; but that was
not an introduction, and he ruefully said to
me that he saw no chance Of getting one.
All his numerous cousins had proved perfect.
ly useless on this occasion. Among us Ned
had been the most lucky. Miss Leith had
bowed and thanked him when he picked up
a book which she dropped upon the parade.
came second. In passing once was hon
orcd with second look. Tho rest were no
where: and Just week had elapsed since we
made the bet. Up to the present time Miss
Lei.h had been invinciblc, though we had
all done our utmost to obtain an introduce
ton. Not that any Of us cared for the
stakes; they were triaing enough; but there
was spirit of emulation at work within us
for the honor Of the first shake of the hand
of the young lady. The more difficult 1t be-
came. the more eager wo all were to win the
bet. We had found out that nobody in the
town knew her, so We were thrown upon our
own resources.
She wen, down to the beach every morn
ing when it was fine, and walked upon tho
parade in the afternoon, but was always ac-
companied by either her father or the young
fellow announced in the Chronicle as Mr..
Henry Leith. Whether Mr.. Henry Leith
was her brother or her cousin, and in tho
latter case her lover, we could not find out.
But we put him down for u brother.
We had told Dan about our bet, aud he
had promised to help us il he could. That,
perhaps, was the chief reason why seized
the opportunity OF having him to myself for
an hour.
"Seen Miss Leith, Dan"
The old fellow shook his head.
"I heard she was fond Of pulling, though"
he said, after short time.
"0h indeed" answered, as u thought
struck me. IL say, Dan, shall want your
fboat for two or three hours day for the next
week or so."
Dan had been in the habit Of lending me
his boat. because he knew that could pull
and manage it properly. | Jid not antici-
pate any trouble in getting it, SO was sur
prised when he appeared to hesitate.
"what are you going to do with it, sir,
may ask?"
"Never you mind, Dan. You lend me
the boat. What do with it is nothing to
you; that is, as long as don't damage it,"
"You arc right. sir. You shall have it,"
lie smiled as he spoke, and could easily
see that he guessed for what purpose want
ed the boat. However, he said nothing till
the hour was up. Then, us Was getting
out, he called me by my name, and said, in
low tone
81 have known you now for long time,
Mr.. Fred, DO mind what you are about,
sir. Young women arc changcablc creatures.
should not like you to be taken in"
His voice was 50 sud, and his old bronzcd
face looked SO troubled. that knew he was
speaking from experience perhaps from
some bitter lesson no had learned in his
youth, and which in somcway accounted for
the odd name OF his boat.
"Come. old Cato" said, "it is only to
win the bet. am not in love with the
young lady. See you tomorrow. Ta.ta."
The next morning, according to our agree
ment, Dan brought the boat round to the
part Of the beach nearest to my house. |
did not live in the town, but some ten min.
utes' walk from it, along the cliff; and there
was a path from the house down to the
beach. Hc found me there, dressed in an
old boating suit, with my face hid as much
as possible by a large slouching hat. was
then twenty-four, but looked little older.
and meant in this disguise to lay siege to
Miss Ieith.
"Bc careful. Mr.. Fred." were the only
words he said as we exchanged places.
Then pulled leisurcly to where the visi.
tors generally rcsorted. How all this would
help mc to obtain an introduction was not
clear but was, to tell the truth, jealous
OF her having spoken to Ned and thought
that. at any ratc. should be able, in my ca
paci,y of boatman, to set a word from her.
had also a hazy idea that might possibly
give her hand little shake as | helped her
out of the boat, If ever I was fortunate
enough to persuade her to come. thought
that it would be extremely agreeable to sit
oppositc to her for an hour, hearing her talk
and also almost near enough to kiss her, as
Dan said. whenever be leaned forward.
"Boat, this morning, sir 2" | said. as |
pulled past the place where Miss Lcith and
her brother were sitting.
No, this morning, thank you he answer