The Republican journal., 1874-11-26

| How she seemed to melt when she fOun(
loved her and how changed We're he
manners. confess | expected her to ex
cept my wooing with her old-time, half
defiant and saucy flash. But To- she be
came sweetly womanly, tender and gentle
| could feel her plant form tremble ant
thrill in my arms, and her timd yes was
given almost with sob. BY Jove, l hae
no idea the child loved me SO much. anC
| shall always be good to the sweet girl
She shall be the very apple Of my eye
With this resolve Doctor Collins foated
into dreamland, to rehearse over again
the little love passage in the rustic porch
of Mrs. Goodwin and beneath the twin
ing glory vines The following day pass
ed for him with leaden feet, He longed to
see Mary Norris in her new character OF
| his affianced bride That she would be
| gentle and sweet with him, now that they
We're engaged, he did not doubt, and he
felt he should like her better when trife
| toned down. So the early shadows of the
evening found him at the door of the Nor
ris mansion. Mary was at the piano. He
could distinguish her voice in some pecu-
liar strain. No doubt only ruse to cover
her natural confusion. A servant showed
him in. and he instantly discovered that
Mary was not alone. A masculine friend
from a neighboring village was devoted
by leaning over her and turning the music.
The closing of the door announced him.
Mary started up from the instrument, and
without the slightest deepening OF the
roses upon her cheeks, and as simply and
naturally as ever came forward, greeted
him, and introduced cher friend Mr
Cummings"
The hot blood surged into the checks Of
the doctor, and he attempted to express
his disappointment and ardor with one
eloquent glance; but it fell entirely short
Of its mark No answering expression
came back TO him. As if unconscious of
their new and dear relation to each other,
Mary Norris ran on merry jest and rail
cry, until he became thoroughly out of
humor, and espoused the contrary side of
every question, and ut an early hour took
his departure. When in the hall, where
the girl accompanied him, he turned upon
her with words Of reproach.
How could You admit that fellow to
night when you expected me!N
II beg your pardon, Dir. Collins" she
replied, with her saucy black eyes dancing
You are very much mistaken | did not
expect you tonight, and that fellow, is
one of my dearest friends
Mary, are you trifiing with me Have
you forgotten what transpired in the ver
;lnda only last night p
'What yeranda ?"
That OF Mrs Goodwin, to be sure"
You must be insane, doctor, or are
laboring under some hallucination | was
not IN Mrs. Goodwin's yeranda with You
fora single moment last night; and ii YOU
made any engagements with any young
lady at that time and place, it was not with
your humble servantn'
Not with YOU 81 he gasped, pte to the
lips. WHO the deuce was it, then, |
should like to know?0
II can't say. You should not be 50 care
less, doctor No doubt some fair Browns
vile girl is at this moment looking her
eyes out while you are wasting time with
me. But | must 90 back or Charley will
be Jealous. Yet stay | have one tritling
bit Of confidence fer YOU We are en-
gagged"
"Certainly, Don't | know it?" he eN-
claimed, selling her hand with radiant
face
know it, and had the audacity to call
my Charley Il fellown and to be angry
because did not deny myself to him on
account OF your stupidity in thinking that
under Mrs. Goodwin's porch you had in
formed me OF your intended visit o.
goodness, what a roquettc you must be-
ieve me to be"
His hands fell away from hers suddenly,
and his voice was husky, as he answered:
Il congratulate you. Good night
Out in the silent and dull village street
he ground his teeth, and used some very
intricate and harsh words against himself;
the worst OF which perhaps was that he
might be considered IAN ass" He went
directly to his Office, and DR. Peters motto
ed the change in his manner and kindly
enquired what was the matter
ANY bad news, my boy ?" he asked io-
cosely "You look as though you had
been having q case of double conniptions,
and did not know what to do with them
81 am an unmitigated fool, that's all
I've gone and engaged myself
To be married? =? Not that, hey?n
''Yes, just that, old fellow, and he sank
into the chair with a most disgusting air
DR.. Peters looked at him for moment,
of laughter.
"Why. the deuce take it," he said, as
soon as he could get his breath, lone would
think you were doomed to be hung give
you my word that if | had gone as far as
you say you have | should try and look
more cheerful"
Good heavens, how can l? Listen for
u few moments AS have said before, /
am engaged to be married, but l swear to
YOU | don't know to whom y
The old physician sat up, his face sudden
ly elongated and he stared at his partner
in pills with open-eyed astonishment Pres
entity he said, to himself:
'''rhe boy is as mad as Il March hare =
"No, | am not-wish to thunder was Z
He related minutely everything that had
occurred under the porch and screening
vines at Mrs. Goodwin's, and continued,
Whoever l mstook for Mary Norris evi-
IDENTIFY believes in and loves me- She SOL
emnly yielded herself to my caresses as
my betrothed wife, thinking that wor-
shipped her, and her only" DR.. Collins
groaned, and ran his fingers through his
hair until each particular fibre stood on
end. His partner yainly attempted to con-
troll his risibles. One glance at the dis
consulate visage ofhis friend was too much
and (to use an Hibernianism) he let off a
roar that shook the very foundation OF
Brownsville, and it was good half hour
before he could sufficiently control himself
to give his friend the comfort and advice
he needed,
mo doubt was the reply, ''it is a
laughable matter, and its ridiculous side
exceedingly funny. And now, as gentle
man and Il man Of honor, what am | to
do ?"
Doctor Peters wiped his eyes, settled
himself to considering for a time before
replying. and then said:
If were in your place, l should first
find out to whom | was engaged, and il
she proved agreeable or desirable, i should
marry her, unless my heart was fimly sci
on Mary Norris"
"Fortunately that spell is broken. sec
that | was merely infatuated. Besides
find that she is already engaged, But that
does not matter now. Suppose find the
young lady the very reverse OF my expec
tations and hopes. what shall do then ?''
"Make yourself so devilish disagreeablt