The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1872-05-02

~ LIN tO-A AAAC GeOAAOtA VI 49,
here il was at once. He had but to
speak and dare bis fate. AS well fin
ish the matter now. Poor little Loniel
Well, no doubt she will find better
fellow than he was; and so his reso-
luton was taken.
Truth to tell, Theodosia was expect
ing an efiier from him every moment.
1t was no new position TO her, aud
her heart was too well arranged under
her tightly-laced silk bodice to in
dufge IN fiutieriug. She had gone
through the same thing some fifty one
times before. yet to-day she Is puz-
zled, Phillip DEAR is the handsom-
est fellow she has ever seen, except
those Italian loves, the gudrdid no
Bile. and they are useless land then his
father is q baron, who married Lady
Alice Somebody, and his second
brother is clergyman, who married
the widow of dean, who was the
daughter of an archbishop. Yes. dear
Phillip is on all sides so'well connect
ed; vet Theodosia was puzzled. A
friend had only that day spoken to
her of Scotch baroiiet who desired
an introduction, aud then she would
be lady if not in her own right. at
least in the right OF her husband.
1et tine friend had said Sir Metre
gor had red hair, splay feet, and an ir-
ritable temper; and dear Phillip was
SO good looking, with. such q sweet
disposition; soiwh hat between Phillips
charms and her own indeclsion, she
listened when he spoke of his" devo-
ted love" with 8 pleased smile, and
he felt that the day was won, aud that
they were engaged. So - ssf...
No, not engaged. - s ,s.tfFa...- &
She was too good daughter for
that-not engaged until she had spo-
ken to her dear papa, and .smoothed
the way for Phillip. to appeal to him
| for his paternaI blessing. Phillip
would have dispensed with the bless
ings ii. the settlements had been all
right without it, but he had no choice,
he tried to throw = love-like ardor in
to his voice as he said: g Do mot
keep me long in the agonies of sus-
pense, dearest" but he felt q certain
sense of reiiefin the tact that not be-
ing formally accepted, he could not be
expected to imprint kiss on his fair
ones cheek. There was not much oil
a, rose bud blush, and q good deal OF
poudre de rig there, aud it looked
dusty to sal the least. rt.-- zss s.
| Miss Richley had strict sense ct
propriety, or rather q desire to avoid
its being known to the world how far
matters haG gone in any little affair OF
this kind, therefore, Phil. was not
called upon for any display of devo-
tion and when he put his heiress into
the carriage which was to convey her
back to the mansion in Marquis
Square, where the family resided du-
ring the season, the farewell ON the
other side was so studiously courteous
and common place that the acutest of
chaperones csnld not have detected
anything particular. ~
Phil. chartered hanson lighted q
cigar and drove back to London, pom
dering on his present position,s and
wondering lazily how it would all
turn out; but as he dismissed his
vehicle at the, club door, a woman Of
tered him roses for sale. He stopped
and a shade came over his handsome
insoucient face as he gave her a six
pence. - uI ~ t7ifiTC : r
81 g / wish was rich man for your
sake; 1isrliug, nsgas the-sthought that
flashed across his mind but the rose
Gated was far away across the seas !;
and Phil. dismissed the passing cloud
and went up the steps humming a gay
air. 3 ; O. ira85 EHte
Next morning howeve., his courage
slightly failed him, when he went to
his necessary interview with the sem
ior partner. If he did not succeed he
would probably have the pleasure of
making the acquaintance of the Conn
missioners in Bankruptcy, and if he
did-but the life that such success en-
tailed offered prospect not too agree
able to the .well-born, thoroughbred
Phillip Kerr. 1lei
Apparently the visions of the night
had not presented the Scotch baronet,
red hair, spray feet and all, in too de-
lightful view to Miss Theodosia
Richley,; " Besides" as she mentally
observed, after all, dearest Phillip
was an Honorable" So, dressed in a
most elaborate morning costume, all
white furbelows and blue ribbons, she
welcomed her handsome rifeman
with one of her most fascinating
smiles. -...y /
Mr.. Richiey, though only shop
keeper, was at heart true gentleman
his daughters happiness and welfare
were his first confederation. a..I. )
"Let her future husband he often
said. !" be gentleman, and, above all,
q good man, and I'll find money for
house and home such as she has al
ways been accustomed to-" 1os 8
Under these circumstances Phil's
honest acknowledgment that he had
nothing to offer in the way of settle
ment was no bar to his prospects. His
handsome face, his kindly, genial
manner won Mr.. Richley's heart, and
the acute old tradesman read his char
acter truly. Ii 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, except
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
blessings and congratulations, till Phil
felt he could do no less than kiss his
bride elect, i'm most calm aud decor
ious way, in full view fas was proper
of her loving parents.
Moreover, he was invited to take
up his abode there for the remaining
f rtnight of his leave, and in q good
or evil hour. as it may happen to each
individual, he accepted. The luxuri-
GUS establishment in Marquis Square
suited not only Phil's notions of COM
fort better than his three-foor bed
room and his club dinner, but also
the state of his pockets. Rooms and
dinner were gratis in Marquis Square
that was great point, All went well
for few days, until the arrival of
some country cousins, who, being
newly married, expected to see every
couple of lovers as demonstrative as
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 agree
able without seeking perpetual tete-ar
tetes with his Jadncee.
"My dear Theodosia," observed
Mrs. Russell, one evening on their
return from the opera, whittier Phil
l. - ia