The Portland daily press., 1868-06-27

tSScNho W otOp. w uht I'll COL ia was
to do? Ny face showed the mess was in,
for one OF my friends came, and whispered to
me: Keep your pluck up, old boy; few
more minutes, and you will have won your
bet. for you are sure 20 be separated from old
Dundee, and may" he wickedly added. ''per-
haps be Joined to some one better" Oh, how
| did inwardly abuse everything and every
body. The sleeping arrangement were soon
made. VI course, unless compelled by cir
cumstances, was not going to state who
was. 1t struck me that Mrs. Dundee, who
was great friend OF Lady Clonmell, rather
favored me. Hurrah it ended that l was to
sleep alone in little tiny bedroom, close to
that OF Captain and Mrs. Dundee. Hurrah
thought | !; | will lock my door, set all the la
dies maids at defiance, and throw myself to-
morrow on Mrs. Dundee Tor help and protec-
ton, with an ample confession and apo logy,
for she must, at any rate, In few days, know
the truth, and she will help me out of my
mess and out of the house.
Goodnight, Lady Council" "Good-
night, my dear Miss Fenwick; l hope YOU
will sleep comfortably"
My conscience smote me, as the kind heart
ed impulsive ODD Irish lady kissed my fore
head.
1 was alone in my bedroom; had not lock-
ed my door, because was waiting until the
ladys maid had called and asked if she could
do any thing more Tor me. ut course, a decid-
ed peremp DRY "No, thank you, would have
been the answer. And there L sat with my
elbows, in most unladyhke manner. on
both my knees, my head filled with the most
unmadenly thoughts. They were compound
ed OF semi-prayer OF thanktulness to the
presiding genius of luck tor having
pulled me, as 1 thought quite through my
Scrape, and mixture OF doubt as to whether
lshad bettertrust the leather deity OF 'Baccy
and smoke couple OF cigars out OF my open
window, or Tor once in way chew a Bit
Tobacco in some shape / felt that I must
have, to soothe my excited nerves.
knock at the door. Come in :" and adj
ded to myself: 1T only that bette noir of
lady's maid. will dismiss her, and then hey
for 'baccy." She did come in, but not the
lady's maid was she. Radiant with beauty,
and exquisitely flushed with excitement,
robel IN most charming dressing gown,
with hair hanging down her back, there en-
tered young lady had been introduced TO-
and who had rather taken my fancy, in the
course OF the evenmg-one Miss Evonlode!
What! Charles; why, that was your wite's
maiden name, calculated more than one of
the circle who were assembled in the parsons
study listening.
My vile looked sheepish; but 1 went on.
DO not interrupt me; but hear me out. "Oh
dear Miss Fenwick," said Miss Evonlode, 81
am SO sorry to disturb you, but you know
what state of confusion the house is in. and
lind that somebody else has got nv bed
room. l have been undoing my hair il aunt
CionmelFs room, and now she has sent me
here to say, with her love, that she hopes YOU
VIII allow me to share your chamber. She
KNOWS, Miss Fenwick, as Mrs. Dundee told
her, that you have always been accustomed
TO be alone, and cannot bear anybody in the
loom but she hopes, that under the circum-
stances OF the case, yeu will excuse her re-
quest this time. And we shall be so Jolly to-
getber; won't we talk over our partners and
quiz them nicely?"
The girl spoke in very lively, natural
manner but did not particularly look at me.
Had she done so, she must have noticed that
was almost choking-black in the face-go-
ing into fit. "Good heavens. Miss Eyon-
lode, can't, shan't, won't-you must not,
you ought not-O dear!'
In the horrible embarrassment of the mo-
ment, covered my eyes with my hands.
Miss Eyonlode seemed struck dumb with as
constituent, and no wonder.
You must CO." said | II can't. | won't
have you here"
"Of course" she replied, 81 will 90 if YOU
wish it, and tell my aunt, Lady ClonmeU.
what you say; but have had such trouble to
avoid being seen by those horrible men, that
must wait bit to see if the coast is clear.
You see the men are very well in their wav.
aud enjoy dancing with them but should
not like 10 be caught by them looking the
fright am now"
groaned audibly, and shivered with
shame. could not tell what was the right
thlng tor me to do. Another knock at the
door-no, not knock, bump and an en-
trance without permission. Enter Mrs. Dun
dee.
Il know what's the NATTER" said she, 81
have known the secret all along. Miss.
Fenwlck, pardon me, for the fix have rath-
er unWlttingly led you into. Miss Evenlode,
MISS Fenwick is man and gentleman"
she added with emphasis. AS for Miss Even
lode, she seemed inclined to faint. His be-
inG here in this disguise" continued Mrs.
Dundee, has been brought about by chain
OF circumstances quite unlocked tor by him
and not expected by me. Ii you will take
my advice, Miss Evenlode, you will come
with me, and keep your own counsel about
this silly business. Nothing short of perfect
silence will prevent awkwardne-s Ito say the
least OF it. to everybody. Miss FenwIck, who
Is Mr.. Charles Temple, will leave early to-
morrow with me. l will stop my husbands
mouth. You can tell Lady Clonmell to-mor-
row that when you came to Miss Fenwick's
room you found it quite empty. Ere loEg,
part OF the story may come out. If your
aunt thinks at all about it, she will think that
Mr.. Temple was gentleman, and never
even went INTO his room at all, but contrived
TO SHIFT for himself elsewhere"
Miss Eyenlode fell in with the pan, which
under the circumstances, was wise one
During the few moments that followed, but
one remark was made. "Miss Evenlode,"
said, Il grieve that through my folly, Tor it
deserves no harsher name, you should be in
such fix"
Mr.. Charles Temple" said she laughing,
do not trouble yourself about me. I am
very sorry for you. for thiuk that yours is
he biggest fix OF all.''
The Miss Evenlode of those days is now
ny wife, and, as Mrs. Charles Temple, is at |
his moment sitting before you.-Chan.bers' |
Journal.