The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-11-13
selected story.
From Bow Bells.l
FLNY,s FILTRATION.

his father and two maiden aulnts. p
Mr.. Kennedy, senior, was sol 1io!S vi d
bookworm. and very partial 10 urNssing-goWh
and SINNERS: while his slsters-ln-law, the one
an invalid, and the othef both nurse and
bouse-keeper, were equally domestic N their
tastes ard habits. So it happened that Floy
Wheeler had never met them.
Joh1, as dutitul in the character of a son as
in that OF lover, presented himself. on win
ter evening" hat in hand, before his father.
Good night father. l suppose | shan't see
you again till breakfast. | shan't be home
before twelve or one, probably"
Eh! John, how's this? 1t seems to me
It's about the same thing every evening. Do
you visit this Miss Wheeler so regularly ?,
wei, yes, sir. We are going to the FIN
cess theatre TONIGHT"
Ii u-m! Very well. Good night, my son I!
1t looks pre- tty serious" continued the old gen
tleman to himself as the front door closed af-
ter his SON" pretty serious, L declare, when,
young fellow visits girl for year steady
By Jove, I'd like to see the girl first! Here,
you Tom, run out and order cab! Abigail
my compliments to Miss Catharine. with thf
request that she will favor me with her com.
pany TO the theatre"
9onn, 'ouhging in tie cab on the way to
Niise "peeiers, Tell into a train of thought
closely corresponding with that of his father.
Hear him:
Rather seems to suspect my intentions to-
ward tloy, and I'm glad he does It'll save
me vast deal of explanation and cross-ques-
nonlng when the time comes, and that isn't
far Off thank fortune. Next week. at LAST
at last l may tell my sweet Floy my fair flow
er! Dear little thing--she knows it well
enough, fancy! No doubt it was a wise pre-
caution OF my mothers when she made me
promise that | would offer my hand TO no
woman until L had known her Intimately at
least year; wise precaution, certainly.
But 1t hasn't been needed in Floy's case. I
might have proposed six months AGO. and beep
Just as sure OF her worth and loyeljness as |
am to-day. But it was dear mothers dvino
request, and shall strictly obeyit. That was
ten Years ago, and was only fifteen-a boy
mere child, and had no more thought OF
marry ing than have now of d, ing. But she
knew-mother knew what good thing it is
I,'r man to have good wife; and this was
the only measure she could take to secure me
one. Yes, dear Floy, you are all that L could
wish for-pure, modest. sweet, intelligent.
lovely! Next Thursday night, then. is the
ilmlG OF my probation. Only another week
in which to learn more of her loveliness. T
wish father kne Floy. declare!n
And just at this period of his happy mus
ihgs the carriage stopped at the door of his
beioved, and he sprabg out and I'M fine stems
with all the ardor OF an unconfessed lover
An hour la'er, Mr.. Kennedy. sitting in an
inconsplcuous part OF the crowded house
lowered his opera glass with satisfied smile
ana handed it to Miss Catherine. exclaimino
pee, Cad! there's. John and the girl he
means to marry! DON'T you see ,em Fol
low my eye-there! Pretty gill; isn't she !?
auu ineeulSent, to- See how he looks at
mel! An poor boy, he worships her! Well,
well, she looks like a nice little tbino and /
suppose it's all right"
Il think she gesticulates rather too much.
ana g'ances around good DEAL as if to see
Wnos looking at her." observed Miss Cath
crime. she seems to court admiration. Int
that's what they all do NOWADAYS, Maybe
sne as good as any of EN-. [ hope she's a
nice glri, andll make good wife for john
- hope So" said the old man, with a Sigh.
.; oouh ~, 0asht 10 know her pretty well by this
'inle. Inc year is nearly up, you know"
On the afternoon of the following dav Mr.
Kennedy entered a frst-class carriage Of the
UNDERGROUND Railway. Before enterino he
noticed that there was but one occupant-a
lady. AS he opened the door, she Turned to.
Ward him, aud at glance he recon ,zed tho
young girl whom he had seen with his SON Of
the theatre. His first impulse was TO miro
duce hlmse!f to her; but on second tbouoht
ne seated himself in the corner diaoonalIv On,
posite, ana determined to mark her demeanor
~ PUBIC, ana see now lar Miss Catherine was
correct in her judgment of Johns intendeG
wife, i"'eiioeo
Perhaps the young lady felt somewhat fiat
tered, mlsfaking Mr. Kennedy's look of Meas
eu surprle when enteri the Ca, riaoe for one
o ..e auniratlon. Certain 1t was, that her bean
tIuI eyes were bent on the handsome elderly
gen!emt IN opposite her far more Than Voc
consistent with propriety, and equally certain
tnat ne thought her glances rather coouel.
us1. But whether or not, they were contin-
ueu ia III the attention Of the young lady was
o ".aaoteu Ny nme-looklnS young man, who
entered the carriage at one of the stations
and having seated himself without talino any
apparent notice OF the young lady. She attract,
ca MS attention by slight cough. She smiI-
Gu coVerty; she threw him side-ong chances /.
sne waved her snowy handkerchief affer
pressing it to her lips. Meanwhile tbc vonna
ma man 10 oked quietly scorniully, fixedly at her
linen, at the next station, he arose and Lott
the train. anu ie''
:. Wba; influence at this moment possessed
nim-what motive actuated hin. Mr.. Kennedu
himself could not have told. II certainiyy
was not wish to participate in tbe vonnS
woman $ evident enjoyment; neither was IF
aesiSuediy, 1or the purpose of proving her
iurthef, that the old gentleman gazed nnon
her,aud with short, dry cough. applied his
handkerchief to his face, pressed his ban1 70
MS heart, Wlnked inviIingly, smiled blandlv.
coughed again, and then appeared suddeniy
" nave discovered that he had reached .bis
destination. With a low bow he left Tho
carriage; and when he had gained tbe Mot
form, his aged cheek dyed with shame: he
giahced backward and saw the dainty white
handkerchief waving toward him.
flndlng his son in the library on his return
MI. Kennedy related the incidents of tbe
afternoon substantially as we have done hnt
Was was careful to conceal the fact that Flow
MneeIer was concerned in them. he merejy
Inscribed her as rather pretty well-dressed
sit.' no doubt passing in society for a LADY.
plty the man she marries," said the old
gentleman, his countenance betrayipg more
profound compassion than men usually faaI
Ior the mlserles of imaginary husbands
Ihat Sirl will palm herself off on some nm
suspecting fellow, who'll find out his mistake
when it's too late'
Il don't know about that" replied John
running his fingers through his HAIR with the |
alr OF man personally unconcerned in The |
SUBJECT Il doubt it, sir. Those gddy mas |
d I generally betray themselves at one
Time or another. Men marry them with evee |
WIDE open. don't pity them''
MI. kennedy's hand shook as he lifted tba |
poker TO stir the Ere, and said, "Tbose men
throw themselves away, john
ier don see how they can do il. |
wouldn't marry one ofthose airts if loved |
neI pstter imam ever man loved woman
nor L, sad MIR. Kennedy, with sioh of
'elel by the way, John, is it true that Won
ire going to marry?" w 'n"' ~"
yes, sir, hope to marry Florence yvhoo,
II. nave not yet offered myself nv term If
,so9atlon hot being ended. L want Won to
'ee ner, father would like you to know her
IAN persuade you to go up there for an
hour this eveDlng?" ''i dill
yes, John, I'll 60. It's high time baco,oo
'cquainted with nv daughter-in-law to be-"
arrived at MI. Wheeler's residence. n Some
"nat pretentlous house, the father and CO..,
waited with widely different feelings. the am
,eafance OF the young lady. 1t was some
ime before the presented herself: and when
ne old So, she swept into the room arraved
ner sweetest smile and prettiest dress.
C0ming from the dimly lighted hall into
ne iuli 0,aze OF the chandelier. FLOW copJ
ios clearly distinguish features: and when
onu, m voice swelling with pride intro
Iuceu her to his Iather the old gentleman
aIu no, John, no! This IS the youno wo-
ian n "llh whom | flirted TO-DAY. This is
rather! Floy! for heavens salxew ;ntor-
upted John, but stopped. 'ii'ei-
To n,;" eueu put one glance at her guilty face
ouse. el arm and lett the |
ROY Wheeler is not vet enoacod noit,o.
= cee sue Indulge in Handkerchief dintn.;
John Kennedy could but NOV ho midta.lons.
be is! '''' know now changed