Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1873-11-27

his mind was make up. Selecting
hugely crested sheet of stiff note-paper,
so as to give the document an official
character, he sat down, squared his ell
bows, and prepared to write. The fol
lowing epistle was the result OF his
efforts:
my DEAR MISS LEIGH: For the first time ad-
dress you personally, though you must doubtless
have been for some tim aware o. the INK wnlcn
rived when our decision must be made as to our
future-whether shall go through life together,
from you, my dear Miss Leigh, that for many years
have looked on you as my destined BRIDE, and
have considered myself fortunate In the proepect
of an alliance with one OF whose beauty and good
ness have heard so much. II is but quite recently
have discovered that my heart Is no longer mine
to dispose OF, and now feel that to urge you TO
fulfill our ehngasement would be 10 insure wi, z.
out personal interview, which would only cause
| unnecessary embarrassment. As to Ellington,
resign 1t to you willingly feeling sure that you WI,
make better mistress there than ever / should
master.
Trusting, then, some day to meet you as the
bride Of one more worthy to possess you than my
self, an, dear Miss Leigh. your sincere friend,
THOMAS CUBzoN LUTrRELL."
"That'n do, think. / hope it won't
smell of tobacco; Simms," as that worthy
answered the bell, stake this to Miss
Simms was too well trained to show
surprise at anything; he bowed and went.
In ten minutes he returned.
"Miss Leigh's compliments, sir, and
would you speak to her in the drawing
rooms"
"Oh, hang herl'' said Tom; but there
was no escape. The drawing-room was
darkened to exclude the afternoon sun,
but Tom discovered white figure at the
far end, which rose and bowed as he ed
vanced.
Il am delighted, Miss Leigh" he be-
gan, Ito have the pleasure "Hulloal
Miss Harding2 You here?'
"Miss whos" said the laughing voice
of his Settlebourne friend, 81 am not
Miss Harding"
"Then who in the name of goodness are
your" he demanded, eagerly
She looked down demurely
"I'm that horrid Miss | Sigh, as you
called me the other day."
Tom sat down and stared at her; present
| ly he broke into a great laugh.
ooh, it's all very well to laugh" she
said in an injured tone.
| In moment more he was knee ling by
her chair, looking up into her eyes.
miss Leigh-Nellie-"
II told you not to call me Nellie, yes
terday," she said tartly.
Yes, but yesterday isn't to-day; we're
engaged now"
| Engaged, SIR What, after thiss'
ooh, hang the letter. You know love
you to distraction. You are your only
rival in my love, and you will marry me,
dear, won't your"
Certainly not. You said ] was fast
and slangy, and that Hillingdon would be
cheap price to pay to be rid of me. And
then this letter! Let go my hand-how
dare you, sir! BE quiet, Mr.. Luttrell I!
Tom, don'tw
But Tom was not to be denied. After
this spirited resistance Miss Leigh sur
rendered ANONYMOUSLY.
"Tom," she whispered, as her head lay
on his shoulder, "do you really care for
meg" Kisses and protestations)
"And do you really want to marry me?"
More kisses and protestations)
Then" and her voice sank lower yet,
'then take down the card, for I'm let to
a single gentleman. "--1oOn and Country