The Portland daily press., 1874-08-08

pected. l, too, was disguised with the nypo-
critical pretenses and bother of the whole
thing. My wife alone was radiant, and
thought the party great success, owing to
her own admirable Judgment. She was sure,
too. that Kelly on leaving, had thanked her,
and pressed her hand with a cordially most
unusual with him; and on this ground she
told Molly to take courage, and all would
come right.
And her exutation was increased by sever
al OF her guests who called on her in the after
noon, and lisped the usual phrases on such
occasions. Delightful gathering" EN-
joyed ourselves so much, "Quite success"
When Mrs. Vyner called. however, she
threw little damp on my wife's ardor. She
pretended to praise-she was always more
malicious when she did that.
''Iow very good of you to take all this
trouble-so unexpected, toop' she said. Sand
how very well you did manage, considering
you were quite unaccustomed to this sort OF
thingl 1t must have been most formidable
undertaking, Pm sure. And I hope you,
Mr.. Miller, were not very much behind hand
with your work in consequence"
Generally could give Mrs. Vyner Ro-
land for an Oliver, but on this present occa-
sion my conscience sided so much with her
in her politely yelled sarcasms-I mean l
thought them so just-that I really could
oiliy uiultcE OuI SOluc commonplace duSWcIs
81 am afraid you are little tired with your
exertions, Mr.. Miller; indeed they must have
been immense" continued the merciless VIA
| go, seeing that was in no mood for reply.
but. Pm sure, it was very kind OF you to
| try so hard to give us pleasant evening.
And as you ale such very old friends, think
l may tell you little secret, just to show you
how much we are indebted to you. All, l
daresay you know what it is. Fred Kelly
proposed to Ellen last night, and it is all az
ranged-so kind Of you, Pm sure, to give him
the opportunity. And we think it will be a
very nice match, don't yOn, Molly ?"
! Poor Molly held out till Mrs. Vyner was
gone, when she made rush for her own
room, with a tear in each eye. She had
scarcely left us, when double knock an
nounced the postman.
cit is from Wotherspoon, I said opening
the letter. do you know think our new
| splendors, Jane, made you seem a little Jude
to him yesterday"
All well if lam never rude to any one OF
more consequence than Mr.. WOtherspoon, it
will be no great matter" she replied con.
telnptuously. But l am grieved and veXed
beyond measure about this young Kelly. Ell
| len Vyner indeed!'
Dear mep' said 7, as I glanced over
Wotherspoon's letter; you'll like to hear
this, think, Jane" S re adj it to her.
.DEAR MILLER: am sorry to be obliged
to leave Without calling to bid you good-by,
but have just met some friends who are going
to Italy. and have decided to accompany
them. As VIC start tomorrow, am in an
awful hurry, and shall be away at least two
years."
"And a very good thing, too,' interrupted
my wife. boy you know l am quite sure he
would have made Patty an offer last night
if had lot looked so well after her that
never gave him the chance? have always
wondered, james, you would never see the
the depth of that man. However, We shall
be safe from him for some time, it seems.''
"Quite safe," said [.
There are one or two things that par
ticularly wished to tell you last night, but il
such crowd had no opportunity, and -
wife again. Gone OF those things. you ma!
depend on it, was proposal, and Pm glad
stopped it.'
CAN right. only let me finish:
-" and 10 tell the truth, was little net
tied (you know was always too sensitive
because thought Mrs. Millerlast nigh scarce
ly treated me with quite the kindness due al
old friend. So ran away early and did no
say what I intended. Perhaps it is well
One bit of news about me, however, I an
sure you will be glad to hear, and feel that
ought not to go away without telling you
A few days ago, to my immence delight ant
astonishment, received lawyers letter in
forming me that was heir at law to distan
relative who had died in Jamaica; so that
have dropped all at once into five thousand
year. Rather Jolly, isn't it? But wont for
get all your five pound notes; and if ever yol
want little cash, old fellow, just you asl
your old and obliged friend.
'R. WoTHERsPooN.'