Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-08-29
Tales and Sketehes.
A FIGHT FOR A WIFE.
LCoNTINUED FROM YESTERDAY. |


"Then," said he promptly, ''you stay
with our good friends here for that time
They will be delighted to see you, l
know; and by and by they will be going
down into Surrey, where you will see
quite another sort of scenery, and see
something of our English country life.
You will, won't you."
The audacity Of this person was remark
able. OF course we had to press Miss Mary
to stay and, although we did so honestly,
one generally wishes to have ones offer of
hospitality proceed from ones self, How
ever, Mr.. Humphreys seemed calmly to
ignore all such little prejudices. He told
Miss Newton what she should expect by
giving up the trip to Paris and staying with
us. He gave her a description Of Box Hill
and Mickleham Downs which would have
been worthy of the poet Thompson Or of
George Robins the auctioneer. The girl,
Of course. could not promise, bat she was
evidently well inclined toward the propo-
sal, and said she would see what her pa
rents said when they came back from Ed
inburg. All this, be it observed, was
overheard by the young men sitting up in
front; what he thought OF it can only be
immagined, for he maintained a morose
and rigid silence.
"You see, my dear Miss Newton" re-
marked our gay friend, ''you must do unto
others as you would be done by. Now
mean to give America three full months"
"Oh, are you coming over?" the girl
said, her whole face Inadvertently lighted
up.
''Oh, yes he answered, in his off-hand
way: Il have long proposed it. Now
shall do it-in the autumn. When do YOU
say your papa will probably be going
back?"
about the beginning of September"
she said, and then she added quite un-
guardedly, land what pleasant thing it
would be if we happened to find you in
the same steamer
"Well," said he sagely, 81 have gener-
ally found that a man should never leave
such things to chance. 1t is better to play
the good genius TO yourself. Accordingly.
| think that if you go over to America in
the beginning of September, and if you
would kindly let me know the name OF the
steamer, you may pretty confidently reck-
on on finding me-you may call it by
chance, if you like-among the passen-
gers"
"Oh, and we could introduce you to so
many nice people--mamma would be so
delighted to do so. But do you really
mean to go over?"
81 give you my word of honor" said
he, "that if you will tell me what steamer
you ga back to America by, shall go by
that steamer too, and take three months
holiday in the States. Is that explicit? or
shall put the terms of the contract in
wrting?"
Now an extraordinary incident occurred
at this moment. Humphreys, with an
amiable smile on his face, suddenly called
out
IL say, Maurice, it must be uncommon
ly slow for you up there. Come on in
here, and I'll change places with you."
Could more courteous offer have been
made9 The young man refused sulkily.
Then he was pressed; and at last he con-
sented. Mr.. Humphreys got up beside the
driver, and presently we heard him begin
to chatf that serious person in fashion
| which brought many smile to Miss
Mary's lips. She was evidently listening
more to him than to us.
We drove up and through the beautiful
woods of Cliefden, the birds singing all
around u.s. the white clouds sailing through
the blue overhead. We drove on to Burn
ham Beeches, and there, in the midst of
the forrest, saw the great gnarled and
twisted gray trunks, to which even the
most immaginative of Londoners make
pious pilgrimages. We drove back to
Maidenhead bridge, and had luncheon at
the inn there, and went down to the river
and wandered for an hour; then we got
into the wagonette again and set out for
NARROW. All this time the most patient
and winning efforts of the elder lady of
,nfGnn
down the savage feeling of the young man
who sat beside us.
There is nothing" he said to Miss
of coarse joviaity and plowboy wit when
A day like this reminds you of MANY
things you had half forgotten; and when
these associations are present to the mind,
painful and sad rs many of them may be.
it is not pleasant to be shocked by an i'm
pertinent jocularity. Don't you think so ?n
But why should pretty piece of coun-
try make you sad ?n she said, quite natur-
ally and cheerfully. ut ought to cheer
ones spirits.
He said no more after that and indeed.
Il silent person is apt to be overlooked if
he have four companions all sufficiently
talkative.
When we got back to NARROW the ladies
went indoors we three strolled round to
the meadows by the side of the river. |
did not at all like the look of the young
man S face; there was mischief brooding
II suppose" said he to me, in rather
loud and ostentatious fashion. that Miss
Newton is under your care?'
'She is for the present"
And how do you like" he continued in
the same loud fashion. ''her making an
aSsignation to be accompanied to America
by gentleman who has only been casual
ly introduced to her parents, and of whom
neither she nor they knew anything?"
"lf you mean me, young gentleman
said his rival, ceasing to whistle Loves
Young Dream" "rll advise you to be a
little more respectful"
Age commands respect, certainly"
said the younger man with an unmistaka-
BILE sneer.
"Yes, and schoolboys, when they don't
show it, get whitfield" remarked the other,
beginning to whistle again.
''Ill tell Won what IL ia axele;-,a1