The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-06-29


other Presently left him. As went away,
he said quietly, 81 think shall try and see
Georgiana once more, for particular reason"
81 did not ask what the particular reason
was, and he did not tell me. -
A few nights afterwards saw him again. He
was at no time subject much to change OF mood:
or at any rate, seldom betrayed any varistion OF
that kind. Yet it struck me, that if anything,
he was in rather better spirits than usual
"You didn't mention,s he said, "what I told
you the other night-that my engagement was
broken off ~ IL ENkfA FE ~ ,.]
81 told you should try and see Georgiana
again. Well. knew that she often went with
her father and other relations and friends to the
Geological Gardens on Sunday. ! couldn't call
at old Warren's house, you know, because I'M
derstood that 1 was as good as kicked out OF
that. So went to the Geological and looked
about for Georgiana. l soon discovered her,
with Warren and a lot Of other people. She
saw me- and understood by my signs that 1
wanted to speak to her on the quiet. Well, she
fingered behind little, and when the rest OF her
party went to look at the kangaroos, she slipped
with me into the snake house. She looked
rather frightened, and the tears stood i'll her
eyes; so l put my arm around her-it didn't
matter to me who saw me- you know-ahd told
her there was nothing to be alarmed at, and that
l only wanted to say word or two. then
told her that was sorry had not sent back her
letters as ought to have; but the plain fact Of
the matter was, couldn't do it.
''You love me still, then, Ned p she said. "Of
course do, Georgy," said; ''who's been telling
you don't Z" Then she began crying terribly.
'Come, Georgy," / said; "lets be married,
whether papa likes it or not; only say the word"
She didn't say the word. Poor child! l don't
think she could speak for crying but she look
ed at me, and she gave ever such little nod, and
then she commenced laughing through her tears.
1t was the prettiest thing you ever saw OF
course I kissed her; and then turned, and who
should be standing close at my side but old War
rem! Georgy gave little scream, and then tried
to make believe that we were looking at the boa
constructor. But of course that didn't do, 80
said to old Warren in a CHEEKY sort of way, put
ting out my right hand, g Mr. Warren, Georgy
and are going to be married SO that's quite
settled. But you and 1 may as well be friends
all the same. We'd much rather have your
consent than not. Suppose you give it to u.s.
He was so astonished that before, think, he
quite knew what he was doing, he'd taken my
hand, with all his friends standing round and
looking on. OF course he couldn't go back after
that, and so-and so-the thing was settled"
congratulated him heartily. Presently
said by chance-"How lucky ii was you didn't
send back Miss Warren's letters!"
''My dear fellow, that was what wanted to
explain to her. couldn't send them back"
''Youd found them too dear to you:"
At last, then, he had been betrayed into a feel.
ing of romance. lt
..Not at all" he exclaimed, az couldn't send
them back because-I hadn't kept them. l had
destroyed them"
destroyed them?"
"Yes What was the good of them? only keep
business letters they areall regularly docketed
at my office. But for Georges letters, they were
Of no use. 1t was no good keeping them. l
made them into pipe lights '
"You didn't tell her thatF' ....
"No; hadn't time. I never arrived ct my
explanation about the letters"
Then, my dear Stone, let me entreat you,
whatever you do, don't give Miss Warren your
explanation about the letters" -r4
"Why shouldn't I 2"
''Don't you see! She thought you didn't send
her letters for sentimental reason-because
they were SO dear to you that you couldn't part
with them; and so, in point of fact, that little
misunderstanding Of hers led TO the re-establish-
."DS' YOU 5%'t think sol" he asked musngly. ..But
if Georgys made any mistake about the matter,
think I'm bound to set her right" q
"My dear Stone, take my advice; for fear, of
accidents, set her right-if you must set her
right-after the wedding ceremony, not before"
Whether or not he took my advice, l am not
aware. He was married in due course to Miss
Warren, and know that the lady was often
heard to declare subseq uently that she married
the best man in the world. .r.
His practically had answered, and it may be
a good plan to convert love letters into pipe
lights: still shrink from laying it down as
rule that such course should be invariably
adopted. Lovers must be left, in that respect, to
pursue their own devices, and to do what may
seem right in their own eyes. 1t must be owned,
however, that the story of Stones love affair
shows that there is something to be said in favor
| of practically. Inc ~.l .t. "a ~.