Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-12-18

"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
his mind was make up. Selecting a
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 epistie 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 time aware OF the link which
in some way connects us. The time has now ar
rived when our decision must be made TO our
future-whether we shall 90 through life together,
or separate at once and forever. will not conceal
from you. my dear Miss Leigh. that for many years
have looked on you my destined bride, and
have considered myself fortunate in the prospect
of an alliance with one of whose beauty and good
ness have heard so much. 1t 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 engagement would be to insure life of
misery for both OF us. Let us. then, separate with
out a personal interview which would only cause
unnecessary embarrassment. As TO Hillington, l
resign ii to you willingly, feeling sure that you will
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, am, dear Miss Leigh, your sincere friend.
THOMAS CURzoN LUTTRELL."
"Thatll do, think l hope it won't
smell of tobacco; Simms," as that worthy
answered the bell, take 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
room?'
ooh, hang herI" 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 adj
vanced.
81 am delighted, Miss Leigh" he be-
gan, "to have the pleasure "Hulloa!
Miss Harding? You here?"
"Miss who?" 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 Leigh, as you
called me the other day."
Tom sat down and stared at her; present
ly he broke into 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-''
81 told you not to call me Nellie, yes
terday," she said tartly.
Eyes, but yesterday isn't to-day; we're
engaged now"
Engaged, sir? What, after this?''
ooh, 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 your"
certainly not. You said I 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.. Luttrelll
Tom, don'tm
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
me?" 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. "-I0aOn and Country.