The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-02-18

| tnere was q feeling OF sutfOCatl0n In his
throat. With violent effort he gulped
down half a wine-glassful of Burgundy,
and then relieved his mOmentary anguish
with y SIGH.
Mention has already been made of Ed
mund Blake, Esq, Barrister at-Law. The
most marvellous thing about Mr.. Blake
was his means of locomotion He would
be in Paris one week, in Edinburgh
another, then he would be seen in Man
chester or Liverpool and after that in
London or Ramsgate. AS he never car
ried anything but an old carpet-bag with
him, it was rumored among his friends
that he generally took French leave of
| mine host of the hotel he might chance to
honor with his company. On one occa-
sion, he happened to be at Brighton, lodg-
ing in the house of a respectable widow
lady, in straitened circumstances, who had
denied herself everything in order to be-
stow brilliant education upon her only
child, in the hope of obtaining for her a
comfortable home as governeSs or COM
panion.
Mary White had Just left school at the
time Mr.. Blake engaged her mothers back
and. front parlors. She was a joyous,
bright little thing, with profusiOn of
golden hair, which she was fond of letting
down over her shoulders. Her voice was
the very essence of harmony; her man
ners bewitchingly simple; her eyes
beamed with seemingly artless, confding
affection; her rippling smiles were alto
gether irresistible. Edmund Blake made no
attempt to resist them. For upwards of a
fortnight he raved about her, and to her.
Iox - Il g., ho,.
She should have her carriage and pair, a
house near Hyde Park, stall at the Opera
he thought of promising box, but
changed his mind But Mary remarked
that his collars and cuffs were particularly
ragged, that he had only one pair of boots,
and they were patched at the side and,
above all, that he neither made any
presents to herself, nor paid his weekly
a good deal impressed by his manly pres
ence, his rich voice, his smooth talk, his
pleasant anecdotes, and his varied infor-
nation; when one morning it was discov-
cred that the fine gentleman had departed,
taking with him his carpet-bag, but omit
til G to pay his account.
Now that Mary's education was COM
pleted, Mrs. White resolved to dispose of
her furniture, and seek for herself situa-
ton as housekeeper, and for her child that
of a companion, or gOverness. Mary, how
ever, had other plans in view for her own
advancement. Full Of romance, ard blest
with an excellent opinion of her own
charms personal and intellectual, she felt
confident of her power to secure an eligible
match, provided only she could obtain an
opportunity Of showing herself off to ad-
vantage.
The first thing to be done was to get
clear Of her mother. She waited, there
fore, until their furniture was converted
into hard cash, and then she practised her
first deception. She told her unsuspecting
parent that, on the recommendation of one
Of her late schoolfellows, she was going as
a reader and pianist to Lady Purnull. Her
mother accordingly supplied her with an
abundant and even handsome outfit, and
insisted upon her taking thirty pounds in
cash, TO meet-any unforeseen expenses as
companion to such fashionable lady
With terrible resolution she tore herself
from her mothers arms, and tax
ing her place in the train was
whisked off to London. Her poor
mother never heard from her
from that hour. Relinquishing the fruit
less search in despair, the unhappy
woman accepted the humble post of
housekeeper to single gentleman resid-
ing in Bayswater, by whom she was
always treated with Difference and respect.
On this day Of surprises, however, Mary
White had been met face to face at cor
ner of "the Grove" by her temporary
admirer, Edmund Blake. With his most
fascinating bow, therefore, he sidled up
to her, and began to address her in tone
of impertinent familiarity. The little
lady stopped, calmly looked him up and
down, and swept on with all the dignity
of tragedy queen. Mr.. Blake flushed
| up to the roots of his hair, and sprin ging
into a hanson, desired the cabby in a
very loud voice to drive him to Berkeley
| Square. Mary overheard the direction,
which she perfectly understood, and
tripped along, laughing to herself right
merrily. Mr. Blake was a good deal dis
concerted by this encounter She was
looking pretty, he said to himself, but
| what was she doing in London, and how
came size to be dressed so well? His con-
science was somehow not quite comfort
able. and in spite of the generous wine,
| he SIGHED.
The marriage ceremony had been duly
| performed. Mr.. Jones had previously in
formed his friends that the affair would
be strictly private, as the lady he was
about to wed was an orphan, and an en-
tire stranger in London. His friends,
however, were not the less somewhat sur
prised, on arriving at the church, TO find
that the officiating clergyman was in the
act of reading the benediction, and to
observe that the only other person
was respectable looking matron,
whom Dr. Bryan recognized as Mrs. Wat
kins, the landlady of boarding house
patronized by old Wilkinson. This cir
cumstance drew his attention more par
ticularly to the bride, and though it was
difficult at that moment to distinguish her
features, he felt convinced in his own
mind. that his former patient, Miss Con-
stance Tayleur had at last lined her twigs
to some purpose. 1t was not, however,
until after the young couple had retired
into the vestry, and signed their names In
the parish book, that he was able to push
past Mrs. Watkins, ostensibly to offer his
congratulations, but in reality to satisfy
his doubts. MY dear Clara, allow me to
Introduce my very particular friend, DR.
John Bryan" The lady started at the
namo, but recovering herself with des
perate effort, she looked at him so piteous
ly, that he could only mutter something
about wishing her every happiness, and
moved aside TO make room for his com
panions
Miss Tayleur!" exclaimed Mr. Hawk
| hurst.
"Mollie White I" cried Mr.. Blake.
The poor girl hid her face lin her hands
tottered, and would have fallen, had moi