The weekly Shasta courier., 1873-11-01

"On the Charles? You we're Cambridge
student, then? We belong to that persua-
sion" rejoined David.
Harvards, are you? I'm glad to hear
it. Glad to have met you. Allow me to
introduce myself-names Wentworth ; place
is about a quarter of mile from here, My
carriage is on the bridge: come and take a
glass of wine with me, and have chat about
college affairs
The faces of the two recipients of this in
vitation were studies. The name was
Wentworth, was it? Ernest pulled his cap
lower to hide the twinkle in his eyes, and
David abruptly picked up the spoons of his
wherry. Neither had an idea of refusing,
though Ernest murmured something about
appearance, boating costume, ETC., which OBJ
lection was promptly overruled by their
new friend.
Boats are perfectly safe I'll send a
a man down to attend to 'em. Dress is all
right" pulled the old gentleman. pulling
himself up the embankment by means of a
wiry shrub. Jump in jump in!"
Five minutes driving brought our friends
to the Wentworth place, the goal of their
desires, an ancient stone mansion set in the
midst of extensive grounds. On the way
up the avenue the two visitors were electri-
fed by seeing the futter of muslin skirts
on the terrace. Immediately after both
had a vision of blue eyes and curls and a
dainty figure, and themselves bowling con-
fusedly to "my daughter Ella" the divinity
of their worship.
Both gentlemen were in maze most of
the afternoon. They had wine in the shady
dining-room, through the windows of which
they caught gimpses of beds of bright au-
tumn flowers. They had stores of jovial
anecdotes from their host. Then they had
music in the parlors, and sweet common
places from Miss Wentworth.
When our two friends were set down on
on the piazza of their hotel at seven o'clock
that evening both stood motionless, watch
the carriage of their new acquaintance roll
ing away As it disappeared they first fac
ed each other blankly, then, by common
impulse, burst into a fit of laughter. The
inaugural remark was made by Ernest.
"This beats anything ever heard Of!
Z" 1t does. We're even, Walch. Neither
of US won the race, and neither of US won
the wager"
Curious enough!" rejoined Ernest, solil-
oquzing, as he turned away. Il wonder
which will win the lady?"
The enlightened reader must have antici-
pated results. Our collegians were not
original in their love making. The odd
feature in the case was the dual love- max
ing. The changes were rung on riding,
boating, music, croquet, and billiards for
three weeks. At the end of that time, un-
fortunately for their friendly feelings, they
found themselves as even in this race for a
lady's favor as they had been in the memoir
able race down the river. Both were pro-
digious-and equal-favorites with Mr.
Wentworth, both received gracious smiles
from Miss Wentworth, both made the great
est efforts to please, and spent the whole
Of their pocket money in the attempt,
do not know precisely when their friend
ship became memory but at the end of
those three weeks they were enemies, who
endured each other for the sake of appear
ance when they met at the Wentworths'
house, but outside it never exchanged a
word, and regarded each other loweringly at
meals and in passage-ways. To add to the
complications of the affair, the 29th of Sep
tember approached, bringing with it the
dreaded necessity ofreturning to Cambridge.
The days flew by, and each delayed until
the morrow before putting his fate to the
test. On the 27th both must 60, and the
25th found each resolute to ask the ques-
ton; that had become allimportant to both
on the 26th.
The 26th came, and with it violent au-
tumnal storm. Instead of proceeding to
the Wentworth mansion for a morning
croquet, our heroes found themselves reduc-
ed to despair. David misanthropically kept
his room. Ernest lounged around the sta
bles until dinner-time, played billiards half
the afternoon, then took survey fiom the
window, and formed desperate resolve
Immediately after supper, at which David
did not appear, he put on heavy boots, Dor.
rowed cloak from the landlord, and start
ed through sea of mud, in pouring rain
and in the face of a furious northeastern for
the Wentworths.
Looking back at David's lighted windows
he thought, with pardonable triumph, that
for once he had stolen march upon his ri
val but his triumph changed to perturba-
ton when he finally stood, mud d-bespatter-
ed and drenched individual, ringing the
Wentworth's door. bell. His spirits rose
however, at sight of the cozy library, where
Mr. Wentworth, in dressing gown and slip
pers, sat before an open wood fire, and Miss
Ella, seated on a cricket, was occupied in
popping corn. The latter rose with blush
and smile of welcome.
PLEASE excuse papa and me. We were
having one of our old fashioned evenings"
Delighted to see you, my dear boy!'
chimed in Mr.. Wentworth, adding, with un
comfortable solicitude, and where is Mr.
Whipple? ?"
Il really don't know what Davy is doing
with himself this evening" responded Er
nest, seating himself on the other side oil
the FIRE, and wishing Mr.. Wentworth in the
, arctic regions. Il, for my part, couldn't
reconcile myself to leave town without
} spending my last evening with you'-these
words accompanied by significant glance
at the young lady.
Your coming is perfect godsend-s
perfect godsend +" was the hopelessly brisE
response. r" Idon't know anything dulel
than September storm. l wish YOU
friend was here; but never mind wei
make an evening Of it.
Accordingly the hospitable old gentleman
rang for fruit and wine and cigars, and gave
full freedom to his garrulous tongue. Err
!, nest was in despair. "reminiscences anG
stories and jokes succeeded one another
while he was obliged to laugh and answer
e and take hopeless notes of the freight
+ CLEANS netted in the brown curls opposite
the downcast eyes, the snowy hands busy
: with the tassels of coquettish silk apron
q and the tiny slipper resting on flower il
y the hearth-rug.
d Periodical glances at the clock told Er
g nest that 1t was half past eight, then that i