Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-11-06


could once fall in love with my Lydia, and
then put up quietly with separation from
her, against her will, too. He cannot have
the spirit Of n mouse. | cannot bear a tame
man"
- Is Mr., Coutsher so wild. then ?''
Tame enough to me, dear; that is quite
right. did not mean that. But if had
thought he would have given me up for a re-
buii from parent, or any one but myself, |
would not have had him for anything"
Well, my prosaic Julia, - cried Lydia,
breaking out into laughter, " that is the
most delightful finish to a sermon against 70
nance that | ever heard Of. Cut perhaps
you misiudge poor William. 1t is agreed
that am to come and see you at Halifax ;
perhaps | shall meet him, and then | can tell
for myself whether he is what imagine him,
or faithless swain"
"Oh. have no doubt he viii catch fire
again quickly enough when he sees you; and
then, think what match You would be for
him :"
"Oh, but mean to see him without his
knowing me-
How can that possibly be?''
Il have an idea but | will not tell it to
you tonight; YOU have had long Journey
and must be tired And, | declare, if we
have not been gossiping for three hours"
At half past three O'Clock one afternoon,
a month after the termination OF Mrs. Cout-
sher S visit TO her " fast" friend in Suffolk, to-
wards the middle of November that is, a
young man left the office Of Millican 4 Bowie,
solicitors, Halifax. and walked up the street.
He had a new looking hat, a carefully fash
i0ned coat, the last popularity in collars,
creaseless gloves. small boots, and an umbrella,
which it would be pity to open, it was roll
ed up so neatly.
Some men seem to have an instinct that if
they are to be noticed at all, they must Trust
to their attire 10 produce an effect: and 1t
appears TO De a natural law that, the more
insignificant any creature is, the greater II
its desire 10 attract attention. W hat does
an insect do when he has no beauty to please
you, no sting to irritate YOU withal? Why,
he commits suicidein your eve.
But an illustration Is a dangerous thing,
and art to carry one too far, tor this young
man was esteemed good looking by those who
took the trouble TO notice him sufficiently %
Judge. His features were regular and nicely
modelled, bis complexion was pretty. his au-
burn whiskers they we're not red-loug and
silky. and his figure was straight and well
proporti0ned and vet, somehow, he only
impressed tie casual observer with his
clothes.
\ br0ugham was coming down the street.
with a -t0utish sensible looking man. who
was it, only occupant, l1unEing comfortably
inside. reading the Lane,f. but happening
TO look up from the paper, be saw the young
man. waved one hand. pulled the check string
with the other, and presently stepped out ON
the pavement.
Sc How do You do, Waters tislgckv tia,
/ saw YOU. as It has saved me the trouble of
writing note, and yog that u,ausweriuE &C..
Ny wife told me 70 mind to ask you g. come
and dine with us t0-m9-r3w-tl meet a re-
latiye Of hers, and young fellow who has
just got his commission in the cavalry. Are
Won disengaged2'
" Perfectly and shall be charmed. Mrs.
C0ut>her well. / Lope2'
Yes. thank YOU Wen then. six sharp,
You know. Don't dress. we shall be quite
alone
" Very good
Although a poor man. tatei TO work for Die
living. William Waters had the making of a
swell in him but DE had never had proper
advantages. poor fellow. and was sadly 'defci-
ent in many important requi-ites. lie fauei-
ed that when he accepted an invitation o.
dinner he was receiving instead of clnlemn-
q favor be imagined a clrnot % be a super
ior creature. whom it was source of pride
TO form an acquaintance with : and bis una--
sisted intellect failed TO teach him that good
breeding demanded his keeping his host and
hostcs, waiting. > the h1ar was uunctual.
and entered the Coutshcrs drawing room be-
fore the clock lad done striking.
The doctor was reading the newspaper at
the table his wife sat on the sofa near The
fire. a young man. rather short but very
handsome. who wore "a small m0uztachc and
eye-glass, and was dressed in rather full
frock coat fastened NJ the waist with link
button. was standing ON the hcarth-rug, play
with a Scotch terrier.
The two young men bowed Waters made
a mental mem To learn 90 wear an eye
glass link buttons are coming IN again.
&c Clever little dawg this Fond Of daw-- 3'
observed the conet.
d" Yes. very particularly big dog.
- Oh. YES. | have bull terrier who Is
remarkably good at rats Fond'0f rattiuc?''
Yes: that j. like to see it now and
then"
" Exactly Good fun rafting. Ny dawg
can kill FIVE a minute; and he can pull a bull
down. NY dawg can.
" Indeed e
Dinner Is on the table, ma am.
Waters made another mem. TO the effect
that dogs and rats We're good drawing-room
topics for conversation. fact which some
what surprised him He also noticed that
the young officer had rather a soprano voice
likewise that his hostess was in an unusual
" merry mood, and provoked to laughter on
very slight occasion. But he was hungry
and his reflections were transient.
Mrs. Cout>her retired soon after the des-
sert was on the table, and presently the doe
ter. too, got a message.
Il am sorry to leave YOU, he said ''that
Is the worst OF my profession; | am never
safe against interruption tor minute. One
would imagine that patients selected the most
inconyient times for sending for the doctor on
purpose. If he settles down comfortably
after dinner at the end of hard days work,
or if he goes to bed particularly tired, he is
sure to be disturbed But, | suppose, one
must not grUmbe at the fish for taking their
own time to bite BIng the bell when You
want more wine And he went.
d" Suppose We draw round the flor. and
make ourselves comfortable, " said N Chic
nev. suiting the action to the word. '' What
are YOU drinking? Help yourself. 1t is a
bore one cannot have cigar, is it not?'
" Well. yes. said Waters. a. like a smoke
after dinner myself; but this claret is SO good
that it would be pity to interfere with it
too
.. All. yes. the wine isn't so bad, said
Chifney.
- Bv the BY. we come from the same coun-
ty, do We not? My cousin said you We're a
Suifolk man. | think"
D. Yes; was born in that county. Ny
f,tber was clergyman there
." | wonder whether we know many of the
same ueorle. Did You ever meet tie vii
ions -
IN. 7 r., NOT -s-,,e,,,ber +bo,, e,
a.. i