Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-12-20


Now, p said she, consulting her watch, al
must be off,
=" And win You allow me to carry your
But at this monent she was capricious az
ladies will be sometimes, and positively refused
\ to allow him to do any such thing. Then arose
/ a struggle for the "things," which were, how
| ever, captured by Tom after a short resistance.
she turned and walked msjesticsliy away as
/ Tom gathered up the implements with grin,
! and followed her. When he came up to her
| she was sitting on a stile. looking dreamily on
I the ground. She raised her eyes as he ap-
/ preached.
Mr.. Luttrsll," she said, al want tospeak to
| you seriously"
Tom deposited his burden on the ground, sat
himself On log facing her, and waited SOL
,o . IL want to know II you're quite determined
| am. he replied, looking steadily at her,
and tapping his teeth with her Ii. b. pencil.
"Sincs when?' He hesitated.
a. Since when?', she repeated, imperiously.
Tom began 20 dig little holes with his stick.
well, within the last few days." he said at
1.-The 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, otis my fathers
marriage, not mine; and a man likes to choose
his own WIFE dare say there's no real harm
in the young person. II 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 herr"
Tom became more than ever absorbed in his
excavations.
" The truth is" be blurted out between the
digs "the truth is that lately, Quite lately, l
think I've seen the only girl shall ever care to
ask to be my wife, and he looked suddenly up
She rose confused, began to consult her watch
earnestly.
- must go. really. Please give me my
things. This is the PARK boundary, so / won't
trouble you any more"
She spIang over the stile a. she spoke, inter-
posing it between them as they said adieu.
Il han al al u0rr in a ask
he held her hand at parting. She allowed 1t to
hnger in his a. she answered
"oh, soon, 1 dare say; perhaps when S you
sure of his hand, she turned away. After afew
steps she looked back.
{" Any message to Miss Leigh" she asked,
ooh, confound Miss Leigh,.' ,growled Tom.
al wish she was in Otaheite." Then, seating
her graceful figure till he could see it no longer.
Suddenly he smote his thigh-"By Jove! L
never got her name after all, y he said.
Immediately on arriving at his inn he COM
menced discrimination OF his hostess, by
which he learned two facts. Firstly, that New
lands was the property of Sir John Turnbull:
and secondly, that there were two young ladies
STAYING there, Miss Leigh and Miss Harding.
Next day saw him speeding in hanson from
Paddington to his fathers house in Brook
street, intent on destroying that worthy old
gentleman's peace OF mind by the announce
ment of his determination to give up Miss
Leigh and Hilington.
butler, when that functionary appeared to at
tend his young master.
.. No. Sir; Mr.. Luttren went out with Mr..
Leigh Just after lunch'
Z" MIR. Leigh? Is he here?
eyes, sir; Mr.. and Miss Leigh arrived this
morning from the country"
" The deuce" said Tom; "they haunt me
wherever co." and he retired precipitately
10 his own den.
{" Bring me something to eat here, Simns
and don't let Miss Leigh know that l am in
the house."
By the time he had finished his lunch his
mind was made up. Selecting hugely crested
ment an off ial character, he sat down, squared
his elbows, and commenced to write.
The following epistle was the result of his eff
forts
"AlY DEAR Miss LEIGH: For the first time /
address you, personally, though you doubtless
must have been for some time aware of the
link which in some way connects u.s. The time
has now arrived when our decision must be
made in regard to our future-whether we shall
go through life together or separate at once and
forever. will rot conceal from you, my dear
Miss Leigh, that for some years have looked
you my destined bride, and have consid-
cred myself fortunate in the prospect of an al
lance with one of whose beauty and goodness L
have heard so much. 1t is but quite recently
that 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 without personal interview,
which would only cause unnecessary eInb arrass-
mept Asto HillingdOn, resign it to you will
lbgy, feeling sure that you would make bet
ter mistress than should a master.
Trusting, then, some day to meet You at the
bride of some one more worthy TO possess you
than myself, am, my dear, Miss Leigh, your
THOMAS BURTON LUTTRRLL.
"That1l do, think. hope it won't smell
OF tobacco, Simms," as that worthy answered
the bell; "take this to Miss Leigh, with my
Simms was too we'll trained to show surprise
at anything, be bowed and went. In ten min-
utes he returned.
" Miss Leigh's compli ments, sir, and would
you speak to her in the drawing -roOm?"
"Oh, hang her!" said Tom; but there was no
escape. The drawing was darkened to
exclude the afternoon sun, but Tom discovered
a white figure at the far end, which rose and
bowed as he advanced.
~ am delighted, Miss Leigh" he began, s'to
have the pleasure -. Hulloa! Miss Harding!
Miss who?" said the laughing voice Of his
Settlebourne friend am not Miss Harding"
4" 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.
"Tor. sal iown and stared at her; presently
he broke into great laugh.
"oh, it's all very well to laugh" she said, in
an injured tone.
chair, looking up into her eyes.
Miss Leigh--Nellie-"
al told you not TO call me Nellie, yesterday"
she said tartly.
"Yes, but yesterday isn't to-day; we're en-
gagged now"
Engaged. sir? What after this?''
"Oh, hang the letter. You know l love you
| to distraction. You are your own only rival In
my love, and you will marry me, dear, won't
| you?"
" Certainly not. You said l was fast and
slangy, and that HilIingdon would be cheap
price TO pay 20 be rid OF me. And then this let.
| ter, Let 90 my hand-how dare you, sir. Be
| quiet, MIR. Luttrelli Tom, don't!"
pTfr Tom mt IN %
spirited resistance Miss Leigh surrendered ig-
ANONYMOUSLY.
"Tom," she whispered, as her head lay on
his shoulder, "dO you really care for me?''
| Kisses and protestations.)
ssThen," and her voice sank lower yet, tthen
take Gown the card, for Pm let to q single gen.
tleman."
How ..Graphic'' Pictures are Made.
correspondent of the Boston Transcript
describes a visit to the Graphic establishment.