The weekly Shasta courier., 1873-11-01

was nine. He formed the second desperate
resolve of the day, and began to talk about
his travels. He gave long and intensely
prosy account of his life in Paris, using all
the French he could think Of MIR. Went
worth had never travelled, but evnced polite
attention. Ernest, with unhagging zeal,
went ON with Germany and Italy. His host
nodded with waning interest. Ernest was
about to attempt Russia, when a snore de-
lighted his ears.
The young lady nervously resumed her
corn-popping, vainly trying to hide smile.
The fire was dying down. Ernest hasten
ed to assist her, seized the tongs, and raised
a heavy log; as he raised it, brand fell out
upon the hearth, and broke in pieces. send
ing shower OF fiery sparks over the pretty
figure on the cricket. Each uttered sup
pressed exclamation. Miss Wentworth
shook her curls hastily, and Ernest shook
the little silk apron and much-berutfied
skirt He shook it so vigorously that a let
ter dropped out of the pocket, and lay be-
fore him, address upward but he did not
heed the letter, for somehow he had mistak
en- the youdg lady's hand for her apron, and
still held it, though the sparks were only
black specks. He was in the midst of an
incoherent but earnest speech, saying some
thing about wanting the right to protect
her from all the troubles of life as he had
protected her from those flying sparks,
when the letter caught his eye. Miss
Ella Wentworth, D., Massachusetts" !"
in David's handwriting, Enthusiastically. That
one glance showed him also that it was a
drop letter, and stamped September 26. 81
Ernest hesitated SO noticeably in the
middle of his speech that his listener glanc
ed up at him in surprise, and caught his
glance at the letter. She picked it up has
tily, with rosy blush and an exclamation
that caused the old gentleman's drowsy eyes
to open wide.
Ahem! 1 believe" he observed, with
the extra dignity sleepy persons often as
sumo, that lost what you were last say
ing-about the Swiss patois, wasn't it?
Poor Ernest 1t Was hard work to sit
and hear the history of the old genteman's
last speculation after that and many plead
ing glances were sent toward the flushed
downcast face opposite him. AT last, at
eleven, he rose hopelessly to go. He lin
words to say, till the utter futility of delay
ulSCOuTdSeu Hliu lHIo SetkluS lHe uOOT UuI
here the old gentleman, suddenly radiant
with new thought, detained him.
dear me why, Nell, had almost for
gotten what we spoke of at dinner. Mr.
Walch, we want you and your friend Whip
pie at Christmas time, you know. You
must give US few days. Nell here is GO
ing to be married about that time and you
must both come to the wedding without
fail. | dare say he added, struck by the
blankness of Ernest's face, " that you've
never happened to hear Of it before. Well,
we'll, good news is always welcome, isn't it
Now shall depend ON you for a week at
Christmas, and don't forget to invite your
friend Goodbye, and good luck to you,
my boy!" and the hearty good wsher fol-
lowed him out upon the doorstep to give
final hand shake.
A half hour after, as David was pacing
his chamber feverishIy, his door opened, and
drenched and muddy figure presented it.
self, and remarked, hysterically, as it drop
ped soaked cloak on the floor:
"Well, old fellow, we've come out even
again. Neither Of us won the race, neither
won the wager, and neither has won the
lady !"-Hdrper'S Bdzar.