The Portland daily press., 1874-10-03

"By-the-Dy, Dalrympe." said yOunglsh-
looking barrister, with sharp intelligent fea-
were seated amidst group of smokers, s'did
you notice Ruth to-day; it's hung in the big
room next to Mp
''You mean the new R. A. AS picture
yes, noticed it ?"
s'Did you like it."
tsI am astonished at lawyer asking the
question, Discretion is the soul of criticism,
as well as of valor. Nous verrons''
"And," said thesbarrister, not at all dis
comfited, ''it's most artistic work, to INV
mind-the best he's done. 1 suppose you'll
slate him-no, 1 forgot, you can afford to
praise him, now he's r. A. A."
The critic shrugged his shoulders almost
imperceptlbly, and smoked his cigar
"You know the man, Lewis, don't YOU? %
| asked another.
"We were at school together, and have
been very good friends ever since"
sBy -the-by, have not seen him lately: 1
remember voting for him here, but that must
| have been some months ago. He was the
man about whose picture all the row was got
| up, yes-I don't think Pve seen him at all
| this season." e
''No, don't think you have. He has been
abroad for three years, in Spain and Pales.
| tine; heard from him occasionally. and W as
| the first to let him know of his election. r.
| the r. A. got him elected, believe. All!
| 1 shall be glad to see him again. Waiter, the
| Globe and a cup of Coffee" and the group
| broke up.
In low easy chair, cigar in his mouth.
our friend Tom Lewis sat reading the Globe.
| He had finished "NJotes of the Day" and had
begun the leader, an attack on the Home
| Secretary, when man in evening dress en-
| tered the room, tall, vigorous, wirh Drowned
face and hands, a crisp, curly beard and
moustache, and Saxon blue eyes. CHANGING
| round the room, he saw Lewis, advanced to
| him and touched him on the shoulder.
"Good heavens! it can't be you, Ned ?"
"The same, dear boy; how are you?''
And the two friends clasped hands.
by Jove! how you are altered-improved
l mean," said Lewis, when his friend had sat
| down close to him. "But tell me, when did
| you arrived"
''Only three days ago. I went drectly@to
your chambers, found you had moved
hadn't time to look in Law List becau :
knew I'd find you here. I have been dining
| with Rayton tonight, and came on here to
look up my old friends. Come, tell me about
everything"
And the two sat and smoked, and fought
their early battles of Life over again.
"And now," exclaimed Ned, 81 must be
off. I called yesterday at st. Mawes House,
and was asked by the Duchess to an evening
party"
"Capital, answered Lewis. 81, too, am
going. You wonder how came to have the
entree, perhaps? Know. then, was junior
| counsel for the Marquis of Grampound, the
Dukes eldest son, in the election petition
when he was nearly unseated for bribery, and
conducted myself in such wise as to have
become an intimate friend of the young 'un
and constant visitor to the Duke. Come, it
is time to CO."
As they ratified along Picadilly in han
som, Ned inquired if his friend had heard
aught of Mrs. Hodges and her children.
"Oh dear, yes. Mrs. Cyrus has married
OF her children died two years ago, but the
other is now one of the bellies of Baltimore"
Sand Lucy?"
my information is not precise about her.
l heard, however, that she disapproved of
her aunt's marriage, and after some little
difficulty has appeared as public singer"
'sWhere, in England?"
mo, in Italy, I believe. Mrs. Hodges
lived in Rome tor two years. But here we
are"
The rooms were crowded. Lewis and Ned
after gracious reception from the Duchess,
retired to the staircase for comfort and air.
Presently song was commenced, a simple
ballad Kathleen Mavoureen.' The crowd
was so dense that the singer could not be
seen from the door.
"Who is it?" asked bystander.
II forget the name," answered another;
'sbut an English girl, and protege of her
Grace, picked up at Naples, believe"
Ned was enthralled, then startled. Yes,
there could be no doubt, it was the voice
whose echo was ever in his ears-he was lis
tening to Lucy Graham once again!
AS tie last reverberatons died away, Ned
advanced eagerly through the people in time
to see his love escorted toward the conserya-
tory. Her cavalier was the young Marquis.
Presently the young gentleman emerged
alone, obedient to a message from his
mother. Graysbrook stepped in, and found
his divinity alone among the flowers. For
moment he regarded her without speaking.
She raised her eyes, and the tell-tale roses
flew to her cheeks.
"Lucy! Lucy! you have not forgotten
me?'
ooh heavens Mr.. Graysbrook-no, of
course have not forgotten youp' and the
blushing girl almost gasped for breath.
h Ned sank into seat beside her, and softly
ktook her hand.
"Lucy---you remember the last time we
met? Ifyou do not, 1 shall go through the
same scene again? Tell me, saveet!"
Lucy Graham, trembling with Joy, in
clined like the goddess Of love toward him
and thus again they met.