The Portland daily press., 1874-06-20

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. CHAPTER III.
Elm Lodge, we have said, was small de-
tached villa. 1t was separated by a low stone
wall from another small detached villa, ex-
actly similar to it in every way, which was
known as Shrubbery Lodge. Shrubbery
Lodge was also occupied by widow lady,
Mrs. Miller, with her three daughters and her
son. All these individuals happened to be
looking out of the side window of their front
parlor on that identical Saturday afternoon
when the quartette from Elm Lodge sailed
forth on their useless and disappointing ex-
pedition. They watched the tall and inpos-
ing Bella 60 out of the little gate, closely fol-
LEVIED by Mr.. Simpson, flourishing his um-
brella, and endeayoring to suit his jerky
PAGES to those of his companion, and to
Straighten himself up so as to look taller than
she was. They watched Mrs. Brewster in
her somewhat threadbare black silk, and
Rosie tripping beside her, and they were not
long in drawing their own conclusions
and surmising the state of affairs. As
they viewed the party return, dull and
rather glumpy, they grew still more inter-
ested in their neighbors' proceedings. When
Mrs. Miller had retired for the night, the
three young ladies and their brother sat by
the window, and watched Mr.. Simpson make
his exit, and listened to the gate as it banged
behind him. '-a H''re2 70.
NI doubt if it will ever come to anything"
exclaimed the eldest Miss Miller. l"1 oTl''
$50 much the BETTER" observed her broth
er Sam, who was stalwart, red-bearded
young fellow, ready to catch hold of any
amount of sting-nettles, and who had lurk-
ing penchant for the magnificent Bella him
self; $50 much the better. That Simpson is
a regular little sneak, and cannot bear the
sight of him." 7F-
ssI know Bella doesn't care about him."
said one of the girls, ''for she told me 80 her
self; bat still should think she would like
him better either on or off, ... ..53.-
sThat's just what he won't be-" said Sam
Miller; she likes to be seen with Bella, be-
cause he thinks she is a credit to him, but de
pend upon it, he will take good care not to
commit himself in any way. He is horrid
little wretch, that's what he is; he is not a
man at all, he is a thing"
'.Now 1 just want to tell you Of plan that
have thought Of" cried Lizzie Miller, as she
carefully closed the door. 'Wouldn't it be
capital fun to send Mr.. Simpson postcard,
as if from Mrs. Brewster, charging him with
having eloped with Bella?a He is so solemn
and matter-offact that he will be sure to take
l. in earnest, and will be frightened out of his
life. 1t will be the best joke in the world p
''Oh, do take care Lizzie,'' cried her elder
sister, ''do take care of those practical jokes
remember the Valentines" ~ =
''This is quite different thing from val
entine," replied Lizzie. II think it will be
doing Bella the greatest kindness in the world
for if that stupid prig Of Simpson means
anything, he must come forward after that; :;
and if he does not, let him disappear, and
don't think anyone will shed many tears.
do so want to take rise out OF him, and l
know we can make capital thing of it if we
all put our heads together. Remember, Bella
is going away on Monday morning, and that
is so much the better, as it chimes in with
| our plan." ia7gr ed} -f'1 s9f50 'G.
After some demurs and objections, the four
| Miers agreed to put their heads together,
and after good deal OF scribbling and re-
| scribbling, not one, but three postcards were
written. The first, supposed to be from Mrs.
Brewster, was addressed to Mr.. Simpson at
his lodgings, and ran as follows:
Dear Mr. S--My daughter, B.. has disap-
peared most mysteriousy. She is not with he r
uncle. Our anxiety is somewhat lessened by
the thought that she must have eloped with
you. Pray bring her back to us with out delay,
and all will be well. G 38l s3.5iae -
| Ever yours, t1. S. B.
| The second postcard was supposed to
| come from Bella's uncle, and was addressed
to Mrs. Brewster: ....--. 'Ae3
Dear SIS your daughter Bella with you?
| She is not with us. We think she must have
eloped with Mr.. Simpson. Write Immediately
Aug. Z. r.ra s.f,i 4.v 81 t.lJ -- -.
The third was also to Mrs. Brewster, and
was supposed to be from Bella herself: pa
| Dearest Mananaa-I have gone off with my
companion of Saturday. Don't be alarmed
about me- am perfectly safe and distractingly
happy. Yours, b. S.
The last was entirely composed by Miss
Lizzie Miller, and was strongly objected to by
| her brother Sam, but she insisted that 90 II
must and should. And so, early on Monday
morning, the three cards were duly dropped
into the pillar post, and the conspirators
anxiously awaited the result of their plot. AT
10 O'Clock a. m., Bella and her trunk were
driven to the railway station. and at three p.
| M, the pOstman began to make his round,
and was duly seen knocking at the door ol
| Elm Lodge. The Millers could hear good
| deal of loud talking and running up and
down stairs going on; and in about an hour
Mrs. Brewster, somewhat flushed and excit-
ed, appeared at the door in her bonnet and
cloak. She was just turning round to give
| some final directions to Rosie, when Mr..
Simpson, painting, and more cadaverous than
ever, arrived with a postcard crumpled in
| one hand. at -'
''Mr. Simpsonr' cried Mrs. Brewster in as
tonishment. 81 was just on my way to look
for you. Is it possible that my daughter Bella
can have gone off with you? have just re-
ceived post card"
''You speak of post-cards-I have received
a postcard this afternoon, and it is from
yourself. Do you recognize it?" and he
handed it over to her. = ~ 81 lsti.-e
"Certainly not" answered Mrs, Brewster
81 have never seen it BEFORE" u.4 aaa
'After the remarks made on Saturday
about postcards" continued Mr.. Simpson
solemnly, 81 cannot but think it must have
emanated from this house. and that it is 3
shameful hoax from one of your family.
elope with Miss Brewsterl /, business
man! l to be held up to the ridcule of posi-
men and their subordinatesl 1t is digrace
full, positively disgraceful! 1 never could
have imagined such an unpleasant-such 3
frightfully embarrassing position"
"AnG what do you think of these ?'' asked
Mrs. Brewster, producing the two postcards
which had come to her that afternoon; 81
suppose you don't imagine I wrote them te
myself?" aun
Mr.. Simpson perused them in silent hor-
ror. 'sFrom Miss Brewsterr. he exclaimed,
Saying she has eloped with me acith mel
that she is quite safe and distractingly hap
py., From her uncle, saying that she is moi
with him, and he suppOses she has gone of
with me. This is horrible-actually horrible.
To have my name dragged before the public
in this way, to be charged in no less than
| three quarters with such a monstrous acc u.
sation. 1t is more than can bear. 1t liter.
ally staggers me. What is to be done po 90
''Well, Mr.. Simpson, suppose you have
some serious intentions with regard to my
| daughter ?' '
.'None, whatever, I assure you. I merely
look upon her as friend-afriend who seems
to enjoy my society, and appreciate my con-
versation." iei'..rsi..ti 7,-s7raa -
lru"Enjoy YOUR societvi appreciate svour con.