The Van Buren press., 1870-05-31
five are so inclined. "

"You don't mean by an clopement,
Clara, do you? Often and often have ]
pleaded" ~
"And often and often have ! refused"
was the prompt Interruption, "Of
course, won't elopc with you, Lyman.
don't consider elopements respectable.
| shall never marry you if | have to do il
--there" And she looked quite serious
enough to keep the resolution II called
upon to do SO.
"You mean, then, Clara, by coming
the nightly eloquent over your papa =
Lyman question. lfa5
"And get pooh-poohed for our pains"
said Clara, with a slight laugh. " No,
Lyman, mean something else. Papa is
still asleep, and likely to remain so for
an hour. Besides, he is too feeble to
leave his room this evening. Let us
take 8 stroll through the garden, and,
while we stroll, shall disburden myself
of weighty secret
"Is Mr.. Townley at home Z"
Richard Livermore asked the above
question of Mr.. Townley's servant, and,
receiving an affirmative reply, was shown
into small setting room on the ground
floor of the house.
While the man is seated, awaiting the
appearance Of his host, we have time to
observe that his face and figure are
scarcely the face Of a gentleman. "Thc
obscure place out West" has evidently
left its impress upon the general bearing
of Mr.. Richard Liycrmore.
Presently the door ofthe sitting room
opened, and servant-Clara Townley' g
private maid, as it happened-entered the
room
"Mr. John Townley has been unwell
for several days, sir, and as he has lately
fallen into dozc, his daughter, Miss
Clara, does not consider 1t advisable to
awaken him, But Miss Clara will be
very happy to see Mr.. Livermore herself,
provided he wishes il"
"Of course--of course-by all means
certainly" stammered Livermore, to
whom the immediate prospect Of behold
ing his fance was thoroughly overwhclm-
ing. Il shall be most happy to see Miss
Clara Townley. BE good enough, wont
you, to tell her so 2"
He was grati6ed, not long afterward,
by the appearance of a young lady (who
struck him, the more he looked upon her
as very unnaturally and disagreeably
tall young LADY, attired in a short, i'll
fitting dress, and wearing, upon coun-
tenancc full of broad blown comliness,
red and white about the most thorough
car to ear sort of smile that NJ. Richard
Livermore ever remembered having seen.
How dye do? 7" said the gigantic vir.
gin. accompanying her salutation with q
rather vacant sounding laugh. Hope
you're well. You're Mr.. Livcrmore, OF
course? Well, Liycrmorc, don't like
your looks:a bit. How do you like mine y
"I-I-think there must be some mis-
take" murmured Livermore, in amaze
mcnt. "I-I understood that Miss
Clara Townlcy was to"
"Well, am Miss Clara Townley."
" Impossible !"
"You're complimentary, I'm sure
But perhaps you mean that | disappoint
you agreeably, Mr.. Mvermore. ! hope
/ don't. dare sayyou're a good enough
kind of fellow for me. Saw that the in;
stant l clappcd eyes on you, Livermore,
il you you'll pardon so vulgaran expres-
sion. I'm the sort Of girl that likes
pluchy sporting men, with lots Of go
in them, and a general air of being up
to stuff Now you're not that sort of q
chap, Liyermore, as | told at glance. y
mo-" exclaimed poor Livcrmore.
who had grown pale by this time, and
with something which was not embarrass-
ment--" no, Miss Clara, decidedly am
not the type ofmanhood which you seem
to admire. Is--is-your father in /? L
I-mean, can see him for q few mo
ments y
"Our girl told you he was asleep,
didn't she 2 was the young lady's indif-
fercnt answer, searching for something,
as she spoke, in the pocket of her dress.
+" Besides, Livermorc, as you've come to
stay several days, and have brought your
portmanteau--there, for that purpose
any time will do, l suppose, at which to
hold confab with papa"
Mr.. Livermore seemed to bo regainine
his elfpossession. "Since cannot see
your father, Miss Townley," he said
stifening visibly in manner, 1t is better
that | should at once take my departure
"And why SO, Liv. !"
"Liv.~ Could Richard Liyermor'
believe his own ears9 Was this vixen
ish, hoidenish, overgrown female the
Clara Townley whom he had worshipped
in dreams as his future wifep Had her
father been mad, to write as he had writ
ten concerning herP He would rather
! die. the man was already telling himself
than become the husband OF so hide
ously ogreish creature.
IL have no reason to give for leaving
so abruptly" he now said, in sharp, cold
tones.
Miss Townley made some odd sound
between a gigglc and chucklc. "You
don't like me confess you don't" she
cried and, taking the unsuspecting Live
more thoroughly by surprise, she per
formed the action popularity known as
poke in the ribs.
Miss Townlcy!" gasped the unhappy
gentleman, thus maltreated, "do you in
tend insulting me =
"Pshaw not bit of it, Only in fun
Have cigar, won't your
"Heavens y exclaimed the bcwildereJ
Livermore, holding up both hands, and
stumbling backward In his astonishment
"You can't possibly mean that you
! L.,