Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-07-15

g Shall I call you Nellie, then? ?" he
asked.
Certainlynot, she said, coldly, and
was getting on too fast. ........
Tom watched her silently. "Won't |
you forgive me?' he pleaded after
while.
"Shall II" she said, holding her
sketch at arms length to observe the
effect
''Yes, do said Tom, " it's so Chris
tian.
"Then I WILL" and she gave him her
hand with most adorable SMILE Tom
felt sadly inclined to kiss it, but re-
Trained.
"Now," said she, consulting her
watch, CT must be off, %
"And will you allow me to carry
your things?"
But at this minute she was capri
cious, as ladies will be sometimes, and
positively refused to allow him to do
any such thing. Then arose struggle
for the "things," which were however
captured by Tom. after a. short resist
ttance.
She turned and walked majestically
away, as Tom gathered up the nipple
ments with grin and followed her.
When he came up to her she was sit
ting on the ground. She raised her
eyes as he approached.
"Mr. Luttrell, I want to speak to
you seriously"
Tom deposited his burden on the
ground, sat himself on log facing her,
and waited patiently.
CT want to know if you are quite de-
termined not to marry Miss Leigh %
81 am very quietly.
"Since when % He hesitated.
"Since when?" she repeated imperi-
ously.
Tom began to dig little holes in the
ground with his stick.
well, within the last few days." he
said at last.
If he had been looking at her he
might have seen the smile and blush of
pleasure which lit up her face as he
spoke.
"You see," he continued, "lt's my
fathers marriage, not mine !; and man
| likes to choose his own wife. [ dare
say there's no real harm in the young
person. If she's your friend it speaks
well for her, but still"
"But still what? You've never seen
her; how can you tell that you won't
like her ?"
Tom became more than ever absorbed
in his excavations.
"The truth is he blurted out be-
tween the digs, =" the truth is, that lately,
very lately, [ think I've seen the only
girl shall ever care to ask to be my
wife," and he looked suddenly up at her.
She rose confused, and began to con-
suit her watch earnestly.
g. must go, really. please give me my
things. This is the park boundary, so |
won't trouble you any more" She
sprang over the stile as she spoke, in
terposing 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 linger in his as she
answered.:
sob, soon, I dare say; perhaps when
you least expect it, And gently re-
turning the pressure of his hand she
turned away. After a few steps she
looked back.
"Any message to Miss Leigh?" she
asked, mockingly.
ooh, confound Miss Leigh !'' growled
Tom. 81 wish she was in Otaheite. -
Then, seating himself on the style, he
lit a cigar and watched her graceful fig
ure till he could see it no longer. Sud
denly he smote his thigh. "By Jove
[ never got her name after ~ he said.
Immediately on arriving at his inn
he commenced a cross examination of
his hostess, by which he learned two
facts. Firstly, that Newlands was the
property of Sir John Turnbull, and
secondly, that there were two young
ladies staying there, Miss Leigh and
Miss Harding
Next day saw him speeding in han
som from Paddington to his fathers
house in Borok street, intent on de-
stroying that worthy old gentleman 8
peace of mind by the announcement of
his determination to give up Miss Leigh
and Hillington.
els my father in, Simms ?" he asked
of the butler, when that functionary
appeared to attend his young master.
"No, sir; Mr.. Luttrell went out with
Mr.. Leigh just after lunch"
J. "Mr. Leigh Is he here?"
eyes, sir; Mr.. and Miss Leigh ar
rived this morning from the country. :"
"The Deuce" said Tom; "they
haunt me wherever I CO." 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
elbows, and commenced to write.
The following epistle was the result
of his efforts:
''MY DEAR Miss LEIGH - For the
first time I 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 arrived when our decision
| ,,o,,e+ no ~ do ~, rnooy1 70 o,,r f,,t