The Republican journal., 1870-08-04

the Parliamentary debates to me, if YOU have
nothing else to do
The worthy lady q red-hot politician
and for three mortal hours she kept him at
this delighted task; at the expiration of
of which time he succeeded in escaping to
his room. where he wrote the following note
TO Eva
"DEAREsT EVA: am overjoyed at the
contents of your briet communication. If,
as you say, my features are not altogether
repulsye to YOU, may hope that you will
consent to be mine-mine only?
WILLOUGHRY
Back came the reply next morning =
DEAR WILLoUGHBY: Your reply has
made me feel very happy. 1t is very dull
here-no society except my father and moth
er. | long for more congenial companion
ship. Thine, EVA"
In this delighted manner the days flew on
-halcyon DAYS, too, they were tor Willough-
bv, and sweetened@by the Interchange of this
and similar lovcrlike correspondence. On
the following Monday morning, Mrs. Vane
left town on visit to some friend in Devon
shire, leaving her son to keep house at home.
That same afternoon, one of Captain Blacks
| servants brought the following note for Will
loughby.
''WHLIE: Have you any objections to my
telling my dear papa all? Matters have now
gone so far that it will be impossible for
either of us to retract that we have written.
Let us take papa into our confidence. |
know his kind and generous nature we'll,
and have no fear that he will oppose our un-
ion. Pray send me line by bearer.
| The answer was as folows
"MY Own EVA: Do what ever you con-.
slider best. My fate is in your hands. If
your papa should refuse his consent. L
But will not think of anything so dreadful
Fear not that shall ever retract. Life with
out you would be desert, with no oasis to
brighton it. Yours until death,
WILLoUGHBY."
That evening. just as Willoughby had fin
ished dinner, he heard loud double knock
at the street door; and, on its being opened
a strange voice inquired, in a loud tone.
''Is Mr.. Willoughby Vane at home p
| His heart beat violently, rs Jane, entering
the room said-
"A gentleman wishes to speak to you in
the library SIR
| And she handed him . card, inscribed
s'Captain Choker Black, G.. B., III. Ms 10th
| Foot"
II will he with him in a moment" said
Willoughby; and he swallowed couple OF
| glasses of sherry to nerve him for the inter
view
"Captain Choker Black, I belicve?' he
said as he entered the library.
Your servant Sir said the gallant
Captain-who, glass in eye, was buisily en-
gagged in scrutinizing an engraving OF the
Battle of Navarino, ''Your servant, Sir.
Have the pleasure Of addressing Mr.. Will
loughby Vane?''
! Willoughby bowed.
'''Then. sir, of course, YOU know the bust
ness that has brought me here p
Terribly nervous. and scarcely knowing
what answer to make, our hero bowed
again.
! ''Come, come, sir, don't be afraid to speak
out! My daughter has made me her conii-
dant. let there be no reserve between us,
Eva has told me al! -
Here poor Willoughby blushe1 up TO the
roots of his hair.
You see, know all about it. You have
fallen desperately in love with the poor girl ;.
and, although you have never exchanged
three words together, you are already en-
gagged to be married Mighty expeditions
upon by word! IIa ha! ha. Pray excuse
me for laughing, but the idea is somewhat
comical Ia ha! ha!'
As the Captain appeared to be in very
good humor. Willoughby's courage began to
rise.
Don't mention it, sir. You are her
father, and have a right to do what you
please But | sincerely trust that you have
no objections to Offer
i II? None! Believe me, | shall be de-
lighted to see my Eva comfortably settled.
But, harkye, sir Business is business. |
am q plain, blunt man, and fifteen years so
journ with ones regiment in India doesn't
help to polish one. First of all, what are
your prospects ~
And the Captain drew Il notebook from
his pocket and proceeded to examine our
hero, as if he were in a court OF Justice.
"You are an only son, believe"
81 am"
Good" And down went the note in the
pocket book.
"Your age?'
"Twenty eight, next birthday"
Twenty weight! Good. Is your constit'l-
ton healthy ~
II believe so. | have had the measles,
whoopng cough, and mumps."
I ''Disorders peculiar to infancy. Good. y
And the Captain scribbled away again.
care you engaged in any business or pro-
fession p?
None
Then how on earth do you liye?"
''On my private income, Captain
"Then all I can say is, you're an uncom-
monty lucky fellow to be able to subsist ON
that. l only wish l could. What is your
income -
about seven hundred a-year."
SIS it in house property, shares IN limited
companies. or the funds? 1t in public COM
panies, should be sorry to give two years
purchase for the lot"
''In the New Three per Cents
"Good. | think | may say, very good
What sort of temper are you?''
.Well, that's rather q difficult question to
answer" said Willoughby. smiling for the
first time.
''Hang it, sir, not at all"' returned the
Captain. ''If any one asked me my temper,
should say, Hasty, sir! - confoundedly
hastyn And Choker Blacks proud of it, sir
proud of it ~
.ssay about the average answered Will
loughby, timidly
ting it down. 81 think those are about all
the questions have to ask you. You know
my daughter by sight 2"
IL have had the pleasure of seeing her
frequently-from the window, sir"
"And you think you would be happy with
her?"
"Think, Captain! am certain Of it,
Il hor