Connecticut western news., 1874-01-09
SALISBURY, CONN.,, FRIDAY, JANUARY g. 1874.

interposing it between them as they said adieu.
 "When shall I see you again ?" he asked, as he held her hand at parting She allowed it to finger in his as she answered.
 "Oh, soon, dare say; perhaps whe1 you least expect it. And gently re turning the pressure of his hand, sht turned away.
 "Any message to Miss Leigh ?'' sht asked, mockingly.
 "Oh, confound Miss Leigh!' growlet Tom, "I wish she was in Otaheite. Then, seating himself on the stile, Il, lit cigar and watched her graceful figure till he could see it no longer Suddenly he smote his thigh" B, Jove never got her name after all, he said.
 Immediately on arriving at his inn h' commenced a cross examination of hi hostess, by which he learned two facts Firstly, that Newlands was the propert, of Sir John Turnbull; and, secondly that there were two young ladies stay ing there, Miss Leigh and Miss Hard ing.
 Next day saw him speeding Ill han som from Paddington to his fathers house in Brook street, intent on de stroying that worthy old gentleman peace of mind by the announcement o his determination to give up Miss LeigE and Hillingdon.
 "Is my father in, Simms?" he asked of the butler, when that functionary ap- peared to attend his young master.
 "No, sir; MT. Luttrell went out with MT. Leigh just after lunch."
 MT. Leigh, is he here
 "Yes, sir ; MT. and Miss Leigh ar- rived this morning from the country"
 "The deuce !" said Tom they haunt me wherever I go," and he re- tired precipitately to his own den.
 Bring me something to eat here, Simms and don't let miss Leigh know that am in the house."
 By the time he had finished his lunch his mind was made up. Selecting a hugely crested sheet of stiff note-paper, so as to give the document an official character, he sat down, squared his el- bows, and commenced to write.
 The following epistle was the result of his efforts:
 MY DEAR Mss 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 us. The time has now ar rived when our decision must be made in regard to our future-whether we shall go through life together or sepa- rate at once and forever. I will not conceal from you, my dear Miss Leigh, that for some years I have looked on you as my destined bride, and have considered myself fortunate in the pros- pect of an alliance with one of whose beauty and goodness I have heard so much. It is but quite recently that I have discovered that my heart is no longer mine to dispose of, and I now gagement would be to insure a life of misery for both of us. Let us, then, separate without Q personal interview, which would only cause unnecessary embarrassment. As to Hillingdon, resign it to you willingly, feeling sure that you would make a better mistress than I should master.
 Trusting, then, some day to meet you as the bride of some one more worthy to possess you than myself, I am, my dear Miss Leigh, your sincere friend,
 THOMAS CURzoN LUTTRELL.
 "That'll do, I think. I hope it won't smell of tobacco, Simms," as that wor- thy answered the bell :" take this to Miss Leigh, with my compliments.
 Simms was too we'll trained to show surprise at anything; he bowed and went. In ten minutes he returned.
 "Miss Leigh's compliments, sir, and would you speak to her in the drawing room ?"
 ooh, hang her!" said Tom; but there was no escape. The drawing room was darkened to exclude the after noon sun, but Tom discovered white figure at the far end, which rose and bowed as he advanced.
 "I am delighted, Miss Leigh," he began, "to have the pleasure -. Hulloa, Miss Harding You here ?"
 Miss who?" said the laughing voice of his Settlebourne friend, "I am not Miss Harding."
 "Then who in the name of goodness are you ?" he demanded eagerly.
 She looked down demurely.
 "I'm that horrid Miss Leigh, as you called me the other day"
 Tom sat down and stared at her ; presently he broke into n great laugh.
 "Oh, it's all very well to laugh" she said, in an injured tone.
 In moment more he was kneeling by her chair, looking up into her eyes.
 " Miss Leigh-Nellie--
 "I told you not to call me Nellie, yesterday" she said tartly.
 Yes, but yesterday isn't to-day; we're engaged now"
 Engaged, sir? What, after this ?"
 "Oh, hang the letter! You know I love pou to distraction. You are your own only rival in my love, and you will marry me, dear, won't you?"
 Certainly not. You said was fast and slangy, and that Hillingdon would be n cheap price to pay to be rid of me. And then this letter Let go my hand how dare you, sir Be quiet, MT. Luttrell Tom, don't !'
 But Tom was not to be denied. After this spirited resistance Miss Leigh sur rendered ignominiously.
 "Tom," she whispered, as her head lay on his shoulder, "do you really care for me?" (Kisses and protesta- tions.)
 "And do you really want to marry me?" (More kisses and protestations.)
 "Then," and her voice sank lower yet, "then take down the card, for I'm let to a single gentleman"
 A Mark of Homage.
 In America, when gentleman kisses the hand of lady, the act is construed by her into one of marked devotion. A IL oI>