Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-04-06
Misfellameons.
WON AND LOST.
CONCLUDED FROM YEsTERpAY.1

Under these circumstances, Phils hon.
est acknowledgement that he had nothing
to offer in the way Of settlement was no
bar to his prospects. His handsome face,
his kindly, genial manner, won Mr.. Rich
ley's heart, and the acute old tradesman
read his character truly. If he had no
very strong points about it, at least he
had no very weak ones. His virtues and
vices were all of the negative order, ex-
cept that he possessed splendid temper.
The paternal consent and blessing were
soon given; and then appeared on the
scene Mrs Richley, who, duly prompted
by her daughter, added her blessing and
congratulations, till Phil felt he could do
no less than kiss his bride-elect, in most
calm and decorous way. in full view Gas
was proper) OF her loving parents.
Moreover, he was invited to take up his
abode there for the remaining fortnight of
his leave; and in good or evil hour, as
| it may seem to each individual reader, he
| accepted. The luxurious establishment
| in Marquis Square suited not only Phils
| notions of comfort better than his three
| floor bedroom and his club dinner, but
also the state of his pockets. Rooms and
dinner were gratis in Marquis Square
| that was a great point. All went well for
few days, till the arrival of some coun.
try cousins, who, being newly married,
| expected to see every couple Of lovers as
demonstrative as they were themselves.
Phil did not do enough kissing to please
them; he did not squeeze his fair ones
hand in corners; and he made himself
generally agreeable without seeking per-
petual tete-a-tetes with his fiancee.
"My dear Theodosia," observed Mrs
Russell one evening. on their return from
the opera, whittier Phil had escorted them,
Il suppose it is not the fashion but really
now, if my William in our counting days
had not put his arm around my waist as
we drove in carriage, should have
felt seriously uneasy"
Another time il was, dearest, how
very odd that Capt. Kerr never seems to
care to be alone with you. My William
could not bear third person in the room ?
Theodosia might have disregarded this,
but her own sense told her that Phil was
not devoted lover and though the con-
gratulations of the Kerr family had been
most enthusiastic, though they had men,
tally adopted Theodosia and. her thirty
thousand as daughter and sister, dear to
their aristocratic hearts, yet there were
sundry outlying members who preserved
the right to opinions of their own, and
would have preferred Pills bride being
considerable younger and very much
prettier, even if her pockets We're not so
well lined.
Now this heresy against the divine right
Of gold Theodosia secretly resented, and
again she had visions of the baronet, and
thought that Lady M'Gregor" sounded
quite as well as, or better than, the "Hon.
Mrs. Kerr" In short. having landed her
fish, Theodosia was getting weary of it.
The pleasure to her was in the catching,
not in the keeping, and Phil was far too
secure and careless to please her.
Courteous and geptlelnanly he could not
fail to be, but he was no actor. He could
not assume virtue he had not; and he
could not speak POLITICALLY, when he was
feeling peculiarly cool and Indifferent.
SO the time went on, till, on the morn
ing that he was to leave, it was Mrs, not
Miss Richly, who greeted him on his en-
trance to the library.
at is very painful task, Capt. Kerr,
that is imposed upon me, but have no re-
source" were her opening words. 81
cannot control my daughters feelings in
deed in this instance l quite coincide in
them; so does her father. We all feel
that there does not exist between you the
love which alone can render marriage a
state of blessing, and it is better at once
to end this hastily-formed engagement.
Phil stared. but said nothing.
Mrs. Richley, having applied filmy
ocket-handkerchief to her eyes, went on,
"Do not answer me, Capt. Kerr" (Phil.
by the way. had not attempted iD; "this
decision is final; yet, as an interview with
my daughter would be very painful to her,
and useless to yourself, must beg you
will at once leave the house without urg-
ing it"
What could Phil say? A certain sense
of relief, too, flashed over his mind. He
simply bowed. expressed his thanks fo1
the hospitality and kindness he had re
ceived, his regret at the sudden and HI
must observe, unexplained termination o
his engagement, and requested that cal
might be called to transport himself ant
his portmanteau to the club.
So ended Phils dream of an heiress
Yet that heartless young man was ac
tually heard to whistle "A te cara!' as
he drove away from Marquis Square; and