Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1874-01-08


nouncemeut. After pause, she said
slowly:
so you're Tom Luttrell?"
YES, said he looking up. "What d,
you know of me?"
There is young lady staying a
NeWlands who is a great fliend O.
mine; she has told me about you."
Indeed Land what's her name ?"
Miss Leigh; Nellie Leigh"
1t was Toms turn to flush now
Miss Leigh he repeated. Good
heavens. you dent mean to say she i.
III the neigbborhood ?"
lyon don't seem fond of her," she
said quietly.
Tom painted viciously. Il hate fast
girls" he S, Nd at last
"How do you know she's fast? You
never saw her."
Il have heard about her, Tom said,
glOomily.
What have you heard about her p
his companion demanded sharply.
"Why, there was Ernest Browne, be
met her littlewhile ago. She talked
slang the whole time to him, and-and
swore, think he said, and wanted to
smoke. The 1iverton told me che was
the best hand at quoting Artemus
Ward he had ever beard. Bah! l hate
a girl that quotes Artemus Ward p
and Tom switched viciously at the
dandelions with his cane.
His companion watched him with q
mlschievous smile. Fl
II acish yOU soould be less Eeerless
acith that aoeppinr she said, "ycu1l
upset my water directly, and then
you'll have TO go and get some more"
Now don't you begin it," Tom
pleaded.
"Why not? l like Artemus."
Tom shrugged his shoulders.
"Well," his tormentor continued,
'have you any other fault TO find with
your bride?
"She's not my BRIDE
"But she will be-
"NO, I'm bothered il she will Tom
broke out, vehementl-.
"What? Will you buy your freedom
with Hillingdon and seven thousand a
year?'
AYE: and think it cheap at the
price"
complimentary to Miss Leigh
Shall l tell her. -
you like-but never mind Miss
Leigh
you've not told me your name yet.
said Tom, after while.
My nameP she repeated. oh,
never mind my name.'
But l do mind you name. Won't you
tell mel?
My name is Nellie, too," she said.
musingly.
Shall 1 call you Nellie, thenT he
asked
Certainly not she said, coldly, and
recommended painting vigorously.
He was getting on too fast.
Tom watched her silently. "Won t
you forgive me 2 and pleaded, after a
while.
Shall I?' she said, holding her
sketch at arms length 10 observe the
effect.
Yes, do said Tom; SITS so Chris
tian.'
Then | will and she gave him her
hand with most adorable smile. Tom
felt sadly inclined TO kiss it, but re-
Trained.
Now said she. consulting her watch,
Il must be off,
'And will you permit me to carry
your things p asked Tom.
But at this moment she was caprici-
Gus, as ladies will be sometimes, and
positively refused to allow him to do
any such thing. Then arose struggle
for the ''things," which were, however,
by Tom after short resis-
tance.
She turned and walked majestically
away as Tom gathered up the imple-
ments with grin, and followed her.
When he came up to hei she was set
ting on a stile, looking dreamily on the
ground. She raised her eyes as he ap-
preached.
MIR. Luttrell,' she said. i want 10
speak to you seriously
Tom deposited his burden on the
ground, sat himself on log facing
her, and waited solemnly.
Il want to know ii you're quite deter
mined not TO marry Miss Leigh?'
L am,' he replied, looking steadily at
bet, and tapping his teeth with her II.
b. pencil.
Since when? LII hesitated.
Since when?' she repeated imperi-
ously.
Tom began to dig little holes with
his stick.
well, within the last few days he
said at last.
If he had been looking at her he might
have seen the smile and blush of pleas
ure which lii up her face as he spoke.
you see,' he continued, it's my
fathers marriage, not mine; and man
likes to choose his own wife. dare say
there's no real harm in the young per-
sop. If she's your friend, it speaks well
for her, but still
But still what? You've never seen
seen her how can you tell you won't
like herr?
Tom became more than ever absorbed
in his excavations.
sThe truth is,' he 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 wlie.
and he looked suddenly up at her.
She rose confused; began to consul
her watch earnestly.
Il must go, really. Please give me my
things. This is the park boundary, so
won't trouble you any more.
She sprang over the stile as she spoke,
it between them as they said
adieu.
When shall see you again p he ask
e d, as he held her hand at parting. She
allw oed it to linger in his as she an
swered: I
ooh. soon, dare say; perhaps when
YOU least expect it. And gently return
ing the pressure of his hand, she turned.
away. After few steps she looked back
ANY message to Miss Leigh" she
asked mockingly. i
ooh, confound Miss LeighP growled
Tom, Il wish she was in Otaheite. Tqen
seating himself on the stile, he lit a cigar
and watched her graceful figure Till he
could see ii no longer. Suddenly he
smote his thigh-'By Jove! never got