The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-12-24
lands who is great friend of mine; she
has told me about you."

you don't mean to say she IS in the neigh
borhood2p A
"You don't seem fond of her." she said
quietly. ss
tom painted viciously. 81 hate fas
girls" he said at last.
"How do you know she's fast! Yo,
never saw her."
'I have heard about her." Tom said
gloomily.
"What have you heard about her ?' de-
| manded his companion, sharply.
"Why, there was Earnest Browne, he
met her little while ago. She talked
along the whole time to him, and--and
swore, 1 think he said. and wanted to
smoke. Then Tiverton told me she was
he ever heard. Bah! l hate girl that
quotes Artemus Ward!" and Tom
switched viciously at the dandelions with
his cane.
His companion watched him with a
miscbievous smile.
\ IL wish you'd be less keerless with that
weppin', she said, "you'll upset my
water, directly, and then you'll have to go
and get some more"
snow, don't you begin it," Tom
pleaded
"Why not? like Artemus.o ~
Tom shrugged his shoulders.
O "Well,n his tormentor continued, "havc
you any other fault to find with your
bride? 2"
.'She's not my bride.'
But she will be-"
s'No, Pm bothered if she will" Tom
broke out, yehemently.
'Whatl will you buy your freedom
with Hillingdon and seven thousand a
year2"
faye, and think it cheap at that price,"
Complimentary to Miss Leigh. Shall
tell her?"
"If you like--but never mind Miss
Leigh.'' 4"
'sYou've not told me your name yet"
said Tom after while.
''My name?" she repeated; "oh, never
mind my name."
"But | do mind your name. Won'tyou
tell me ?''
"My names Nellie, too." she said,
"shall l call you Nellie, then? ?" he
asked.
"Ceftainly not" she said coldlY, and
painting vigorously. He
was getting on too fast.
Tom watched her silently. "Won't
you forgive me ?" he pleaded after while.
"Shall I 2" she said. holding her sketch
1t arms length, to observe the effect.
''Yes, do" said Tom, "it's SO Chris
tian.u aG El
"Then will,'' and she gave him her
hand with most adorable smile. Tom
felt sadly inclined to kiss it, but refrained.
'sNow," said she, consulting her watch,
81 must be off,"
"And will you allow me to carry your
things ?" asked Tom.
But at this moment she was capricious,
IA ladies' will be sometimes, and positively
Then arose struggle for the "things,"
which were, however captured by Tom af-
.er short resistance. H
She turned and walked majestically
away as Tom gathered up the implements
with grin, and followed her. When he
came up to her she was sitting on stile,
looking dreamily on the ground. She
raised her eyes as he approached.
"Mr. Luttrell," she said, II want to
speak to you Seriously" @ 1E ~
Tom deposited his burden on the ground,
lat himself on log facing her, and
waited solemnly.
II want to know if you're quite de-
ermined not to marry Miss Leigh?"
II ann" he replied, looking steadily at
ler, and tapping his teeth with her II. B.
,encil.
''Since when ?'' He hesitated. 90
"Since when ?" she repeated, imper-
ously.
Tom began to dig little holes with his
stick.
swell, within the last few days." he
said at last.
If he had been looking at her, he might
have seen the smile and blush of pleasure
which lit up her face as he spoke.
"You see," he continued, " it's my
father's marriage, not mine; and man
likes to choose his own wife. dare say
there's no real harm in the young person.
If she's your friend, it speaks well for her,
but still"
''But still what? You've never seen her
how can you tell you won't like her?'
Tom became more than ever absorbed in
his excavations.
"The truth is," he blurted out between
the digs; "the truth is, that lately, quite
lately, l think I've seen the only girl l
shall ever care to ask to be my wife," and
he looked suddenly up at her.
She rose confused, began to consult her
watch earnestly.
81 must go, really. Please give me my
things. This is the park boundary. 30 |
won't trouble you any more.'
She sprang over the stile as she spoke,
it between them as they said
adieu.
"When shall l see you again ?" he
asked, as he held her hand at parting.
She allowed it to linger in his as she an
swered-
ooh, soon, dare say I; perhaps when
YOU least expect it. And gently returning
the pressure of his hand, she turned away.
After few steps she looked back.
"Any message to Miss Leigh she
asked, mockingly.
"Oh, confound Miss Leigh !" growled
Tom. II wish she was in Otaheite."
Then, seating himself on the stile, he lit
cigar and watched her graceful figure till
he could see it no longer. Suddenly he
smote his thigh-''By Jove! never got
her name after all !" he said.
Immediately on arriving at his inn he
commenced cross-examination OF his
hostess, by which he learned two facts,
Firstly. that Newlands was the property Of
Sir John Turnbull; and, secondly, that
there were two young ladies staying there,