Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-12-18

| DHcctly we were OH ne OeSan, cneer1ly !:
whats the row, old fellow? Won't
she have anything to say to your"
II beg you will not make Miss
Duval the subject of any foolish jest
ing" replied.
He gave a whistle long and low.
"Why you don't mean to say, Char
lie, it's as serious as all that!"
vouchsafed no reply, but gave the
mare savage cut. My companion lit
a cigar, and after a puff or two began {:
'But, seriously, Manners, l hope
you are not caught. You are far too
young, and the girl has nothing but
her looks; these, l admit, are good
enough to turn an older head than
yours but still you'll be great fool
to give up all your future to pair of
| fine eyes"
What can it matter to you what
do:' / retorted, further incensed by
the contempt expressed for my two-and
twenty years. ''And l consider the
expression you use in reference to
being caught extremely offensive, in
the strongest sense of the word. to
Miss Duval, whose name | again re-
quest may not be mentioned in my
presence"
"Oh, these boys. these boys" grum-
bled my adviser then laying his hand
firmly on my shoulder, he said, Now
look here, Manners, you are a capital
good fcllow-far too good a fellow to
make fool of yourself and quarrel
with your best friend. You are irri-
tatcd just now, and not likely TO take
favorable view of my conduct. Some
day you will thank me for the last
hours work. am many years older
than you. and have saved more than
one youngster from marrying in haste,
and Tepenting at leisure, and, by Jove
III save you, whether you like it or
no.
! was provoked at his obstinacv, but
his good-tempercd face and little,
twIhkiinS eyes upset my gravity. and
forgetting my dignity. | burst into a
hearty laugh.
That's right, said my unthwarta-
bic friend 81 see I'm forgiven. Char.
lie, wish, at the same time. | could
see any signs in your face of taking
my advice and letting the matter drop.
now and forever
became grave again and replied
stitiiy 81 am obliged TO you for your
advice, Johnstone, and | am sure YOU
mean it kindly but | consider | am
compromised and bound in honor 10
propose to Miss Duval; and, more
over, | tell you frankly that intend
to do so, tomorrow night at the ball"
That being all settled, it is useless
to discuss the subject further until the
young lady has either accepted or re
Jected YOU" he replied, and then
changed the topic, and we talked away
amlcably until we reached our quarters
After that convivial repast was over,
| beat retreat to my own room, where
! gave way 10 a reverie, from which |
was recalled TO a sense of my present
position by the opening of the ante
room door, from whence distasteful
sounds of mirth were borne on the
tobacco-tainted air ; then, as | feared,
steps approached my doors, which |
had taken the precaution of locking.
paid no attention to loud knock
ing, which was followed immediately
by wrench at the handle, and II saw,
old fellow
"Well:" growled, surlily.
IL say, old fellow .''
"Well:" (still more surlilv, and
drawn out into Il prolonged tone of
irritation.)
"Its only mc-Hood; | want TO
speak to you"
Here another voice chimed in: "Oh?
leave him alone-he's sulky, and come
and have game of pool" Then the
speaker walked of.
Hood was 4 great chuIn of mine, and
as good fellow as ever lived so, re-
pentlng of my ungraciousness, open
ed my door and admitted him.
why, old fellow you have got an
attack of blue-devils, to night. and no
mistake said my companion, helping
himself literally to liquor. .Pll give
you some of this delectable beverage,
and you'll be all square in no time at
ALL"
Having taken q dose Of that remedy
against evils, become more amiabe.
and we both began to smoke. AT last
Hood asked
ANY plans for tomorrow, Man
ners,'
NO, I've no plans"
"Not going to see Mademoiselle
Marguerite, ell =
NO, was there to-day" l said,
conscious of a wretched failure in my
attempted unconcern of tone.
81 am going to drive out to Neither
cotes," he presently said, apparently
regardless Of my last remark. "Will
you come! Let me see, do you know
them!"
81 know the son. Are they coming
to our ball?"
decidedly. l have promised to
dine there and escort them hither and
have an invitation for you to do the
same"
was about to express my approval
of the arrangement, for l had long
wished to make the Miss Fanshaw's
acquaintance, when nv appointment
with Marguerite flashed to my recol-
lection.
81 should like to go with you, of all
things, Robin but won't it make US
late at our ball!"
10 relieve your mind, let me as
sure you. you will be in ample time
for the first dance. The Fanshaw girls
have each promising Irritation on
hand, and are not likely to be late. So
you come with me to Nethercotes
we'll drive out about four o'clock, and
l promise you very agreeable after
nOOn."
consented. The next day, at four
O'Clock, found me driving with Robin
through Mr.. Fanshaw's pretty pleasure