The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-12-24
me wherever 1 co." and he retired pre-

cipitately to his own den. 'E
bring me something to eat here
Simms and don't let Miss Leigh know
that am in the house,
BY the time he had finished his lunch bis
mind was made up. Selecting a hugely
crested sheet of stiff note-paper, so as to
give the document al. official ,haracter he
sat down, squared his elbows, and com.
menced to write.
The following epistle was the result Of
his efforts:
| MY Dear Miss Leigh--For the first time
l address you, personally, though you
| doubtless must have been for some time
aware of the link which in some way con-
meets us. The time has now arrived when
our decision must be made in regard to
our future--whether we shall 90 through
life together or separate at once and for
ever. shall not conceal from you, nv
dear Miss Leigh, that for some years have
looked on you as my destined bride. and
have considered myself fortunate in the
prospect of an alliance with one of whose
beauty and goodness Ihave heard so much.
1t is but quite recently that have discov-
cred that my heart is no longer mine to
dispose of, and now feel that to urge
you to fulfill our engagement would be to
insure a life of misery for both of us. Let
us, then separate without a personal inter-
view, which would only cause unnecessary
embarrassment. As to HilliDgdon, re-
sign it to you willingly. feeling sure that
you would make a better mistress than l
should master. 1F ~
Trusting, then, some day to meet you
as the bride of some one more worthy
to possess you than myself, l am, my
dear Miss Leigh, your sincere friend,
THOMAS BURZoN LUTTRELL.
"That'll do, think. I hope it won't
smell of tobacco, Simms," as that worthy |
answered the bell stake this to Miss
Leigh, with my compliments.
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
"Oh, hang her!" 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 ad-
vanced. --ue
81 am delighted, Miss Leigh" he began,
ITO have the pleasure -. Hulloa! Miss |
Harding You here?" .....-sa
"Miss who ?" said the laughing voice of |
his Settlebourne friend, ~ am not Miss |
Harding"
Then who in the name of goodness are
you z" he demanded eagerly.
She looked down demurely sl
"r m that horrid Miss Leigh, as you
called me the other day."
Tom sat down and stared at her pres
emily he broke into great laugh.
"Oh, it's all very well to laugh" she
said, in an injured tone.
In moment more he was kneeling by
her chair, looking up in 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.u
Engaged, sir? What, after this ?'
"Oh, hang the letter! You know I
love you to distraction. You are your
only rival in my love, and you will marry
me, dear, won't you 2"
"Certainly not. You said / was fast
and slangy, and that Hillingdon would be
a 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 |
Tom, DON'T" aa.wa
But Tom was not to be denied. After |
this spirited resistance Miss Leigh surren-
dered ANONYMOUSLY.
'tTom," she whispered, as her head lay
on his shoulder, "do you really care tor
me ?" Kisses and protestations.l
"Then," and her voice sank lower yet,
''then take down the card, for Pm let to
single gentleman.