The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1869-06-25


CHAPTER II.
That night Efie May stood in the
brilliantly lighted hail. little less weary,
and making a sweet picture as she talk
ed to the few people whom she had
met, or made the circuit of the room
with Mr.. and Mrs Hammond, the
former of whom had forgotten to carry
out his threat concerning Mrs. Donsl-
son, who was present, aud seemed full
ly satisfied in listening to Efie's intelli-
gent remarks, concerning the arrange
ment of the room, and to his wife's
spirited criticism, on the articles exhib-
tied. But Efie soon tired of it all, and
begged to be putin corner somewhere
where she could look on and not be
obliged to talk; and they left her accord
ingly. Mr.. Hammond to listen to the
calling off of the prizes in lottery, in
which he had invested, for the sake ol
the orphans, and in which he said 'he
confidently expected to realize a lead
pencil, and his wife to seek out Mrs
Donaldson, and inquire after the health
of her poodle and her baby-the latter
being secondary in that lady's estima-
ton.
Efie, left alone, grew suddenly sad
again, and amid the crowd was not
conscious of its existence, when sud
denly gentleman, who, at first glance,
looked strangely familiar to her, passed
slowly by where she was sitting, smil
iDgly greeting friends on all sides; and
evidently bent upon seeing them all.
Where had she seen him9 She could
not at first sight decide, but as his face
was turned once more towards her, she
remembered that she must have me-
him at a Social, the only time she hac
before been out while in NJ. Ant
this, she thought, is Mr.. Bane to whom
| was introduced there.
Soon afterward , she saw that he wal
about leaving the scene, bowling good
night to those around him, and moving
slowly toward the entrance. As he die
SO, he again passed close to Efie-sav
her, paused, looked back, and meeting
puzzled look of recognition, turned
wholly back, and approaching her
bowed politely, saying;
4 beg pardon, but did not frs
recognize you
How long they talked she never knew
for he talked well, and she found hin
an equally good listner whenever sh'
made any remarks; but, strange to say
the longer they talked, and the NOR,
she looked at him, the stronger beesm,
her conviction that, until that evening
she had never seen him before in he
life.
Whether her speaking eyes revealed
the suspicion to him, or whether he
Increasing reticence had that effect,
cannot say, but he paused an instant
and then said, with chsrgin, and sens,
of the ludicrous struggling together ol
his face:
again 1 crave pardon. But did
not meet you at Mrs. SuttOn's reunion
a few evening sincel'
mol surely not she replied, for
was not there; but did l not meet yoI
at the Social a week ago, at Mr.
Bagby'sP
They looked at each other in comica
embarrassment for a moment, aud ther
both recovered from it in a burst 0
laughter. When this had partially sub
sided, be hastened to explain that, a
first he had thought her to be lady
whom he met at the party he had re
ferred to, but that for the last-'hov
long is it we have been talking haC
been dimly conscious that be was mis-
taken. "A mistake, he added, 'whiel
has already conferred upon me mucl
pleasure, and which, while ] humbly
apologize for ] shall always hold il
most greatful remembrance, if, as l sin
cereIy hope, YOU will allow me to con
tinue an acquaintance so strangely be
gun. MY name,' he added is Ashton
and am an old resident Of this city
wherein, l perceive, you are almost
stranger
Efie was blushiDg now, and hardly
knew what to osay-the whole thing wa
SO perplexing, as well as amusing; bu
there before her, was the handsome
face Of Harry Ashton-the frank, hon
est eyes pleading what his voice hac
not yet asked, :aud Efie told him hel
name, and that she was a teacher in th,
South Street school.
My sister taught there year or two
before she was married. he said, 'anC
you do not lack occupation of mind
there he added smilingly. 4 will dare
to hope, though, that you will find tim,
for remembrance even in the dul
routine of that tiresome school. You
see, Miss May he continued quickly
as. if TO relieve her confusion, 4 know
all about it, for I have heard the Alpha
and Omega from sister Belle
Mr.. Hammond coming up just ther
put an end to the conversation between
these two; but Efie was secretly pleased
to see with what familiarity the gentle
mer greeted each other, and how cor
daily the younger one accepted an in
vitation to call at an early day, saying
as he looked straight at Efie, whom b.
saw was at once appropriated by Mrs
Hammond, as she Joined them, yes
Mr.. Hammond, you may depend upor