The Van Buren press., 1873-11-25

There were not many letters. Their
contents / could guess; little enough
like conventional love letters, probably
very unecstatic compositions, yet simple
and to the purpose, and practical enough,
The present was ring-a large diamond,
heavily set in pure cold, just the yaiabls
simple, substantial present which | could
have fancied Ned Stone selected for his
betrsthed.
IL suppose they'll expect me to send
back Georgiana's letters to her"
"Usdoubtedly.
ITS the usual way when engagements
como TO an end y
Certainly; it's the usual way.
! He rubbed his chin and seemed to re-
! fleet little.
"Havs cigar" he said, presently,
and let US talk about something else.
This is not the most agreeable subject
in the world Tell no what yeu have
been doing with yourself lately.
SO We fell to talking about this, that
and the other Presently | went away
As went away he said quietly 81 think
| shall try to see Gsersana once more,
for a particular reason.
did not ask what the particular rea-
son was, and he did not tell me,
A few nights afterward / saw him
again He was at no time subject much
to change of mood, or at any rate seldom
betrayed any variation Of that kind Yet
it struck me that, il anything, he was in
better spirits than usual,
La aniI
what told you the other nisht-.hst
nv engagement was broken OFF,
explained that had not mentioned
it for particular good reason. | had
not seen any person whom it would in
tercst to be informed OF tho fact.
Its just as well, he said, 4" because
the engagement isn't broken Off, or
rather it's ON again
Indeed I'm very glad to hear it. "
81 told you ] should try and see
Georgiana again Well, knew that she
often went with her father and other re
lations and friends to the Geological
Gardens on Sunday. SO went to the
Geological ] soon discovered her with
Warren and lot Of other people. Sine saw
me, and understood by my signs that |
wanted to speak Oh the quiet. Well, she
fingered behind little, and when the rest
of the party went to look at the kanga
roos she slipped with me into the snake
house. She locked little frightened
and the tears were standing in her eyes
$50 | put my arms around hcr-it
didn't matter to me who saw, you know
and told here there was nothing to be
alarmed at, and that only wanted to say
word or two. told her that was
sorry had not sent her back her letters,
as ought to have done, bat the plain
fact Of the matter was, | couldn't do it. I"
You love me still, then, Ned p she
said.
"Of course, DO, Georgy,' ! said,
who's bsen telling you dont2'
She began crying bitterly.
Gene, Georgy. said, lot us get
married whether papa likes it or not ;
only say the word. "
She didn't say a word Poor child
She could not speak for crying, and she
looked at me. and gave me such little
nod, and then she began laughing
through her tears. 1t was the prettiest
sight YOU ever saw. or courss ! kissed
her; and then turned. and who should
be standing close at my side but old
Warren.
Georgy gave little scream, and then
tried to make believe that we were look
ing at the boa constructor But Of course
that didA't work, SC l said TO old War
rem, in = CHEEKY sort Of way, and putting
out my hand eheerfully, "Mr Warron,
Georgy and are going to be married ;
that's quite settled. But you and may
a. well be friends all the same. We'd
much rather have your consent than not
Suppose you give it to us F"
lie was so astenished that before,
think, he knew quite what he was doing,
he'd taken my hand, with all his friends
standing around, and looking on. or
course he could not go back after that
And-and so--the thing was settled
/ congratulated him heartily. Pres
emily said by chance:
How lucky 1t was that you didn't
send back Miss Warren's letters
"My dear fellow, that was what
wanted to explain to her couldn't send
them bask. "
"You found them too dear to you. "
At last, then, he had been betrayed into
feeling Of romance.
Not st ALL, he exclaimed 81
couldn't send them back, because
hadn't kept them; I'd destroyed ,hom. F"
"Dsstroyed them p
"Yss, what was the good OF them !
only keep business letters, they're regu
Jarly docked at my ollice But for
Georgy's letters they we're no use. j
made them into pipe lights.
You didn't tell her that?'
"No-I hadn't time never arrived
at any explanation about the letters.
Then my dear Stone, lat mo entrest
you, whatever you do. don't give Miss
Warren your explanation about the lot
tors.
"Why shouldn't p
Don't YOU see7 Sho thought yon
didn't send back her letters for ssnti-
mental reason: because thcy were so
dear to you that you could not possibly
part with them and so, in point OF fact,
that liulo Misunderstanding Of hers led
to the ere.cstsblishment Of your love sf-
fair. "
"Do you think so p he said, musing-
| w. "But IL Georgy has made any mis-
take about the matter, | think that ] am
bound to set her right
uMy dear Stone take my advice, for