Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1874-02-07

i
house 10 Brook street, intent on de
stroying that worthy old gentleman
peace OF mind by the Announcement
OF his determination to give up Mis-
Leigh and Hillingdon.
Is my father in, Simms ?" he aske'
OF the butler, when that functionar
appeared to attend his young master
No, sir: Mr.. Luttrell went on
with Mr.. Leigh just after lunch"
Mr.. Leigh, is he here?
"Yes. sir; Mr.. and Miss Leigh ar
rived this morning from the country.
The deucel" said Tom; "the,
haunt me wherever go" and he re
tired precipitately to his own den.
Bring me something to eat here
Simms; and don let Miss Leigh know
that l am in the house
By the time he had finished hi.
lunch his mind was made up. Selec.
ting hugely crested sheet of stiff note
paper, so as to give the document al
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 | 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
must be made in regard to our future
whether we shall go through life to-
gether or separate at once and forever.
will not conceal from you, my dear Miss
Leigh, that for some years l have heard
looked on you as my destined bride,
and have considered myself fortunate
in the prospect of an alliance with one
of whose beauty and goodness | have
so much. 1t is but quite recently that
/ have discovered that my heart is no
longer mine to dispose OF, and / now
feel that to urge you to fulfill your en-
gagement would be to insure life of
misery for both of us. Let us, then,
separate without a personal interview,
which would only cause unnecessary
embarrassment. As to Hillingdon, |
resign it to you willingly. feeling sure
that you would make better mistress
than | should master.
Trusting, then, some day to meet you
as the bride of some one more worthy
to possess you than myself, / am, my
dear Miss Leigh, your sincere friend,
THOMAS CURZON LUTTRELL.
"That'll do, 1 think. | hope it
won't smell of tobacco, Simms," as
that worthy answered the bell take
this to Miss Leigh, with my compli-
ments."
Simms was too well trained to show
surprise at anything; he bowed and
went. In ten minutes he returned.
Miss Leigh's compliments, sir, and
would you speak to her in the draw
ing ?"
"Oh, hang herl" said Tom; but
there was no escape. The drawing
room was darkened to exclude the af-
ternoon sun, but Tom discovered a white
figure at the far end, which rose and
bowed as he advanced.
g | am delighted, Miss Leigh" he
began, Ito have the pleasure -.
Hulloa, Miss Harding! You here ?"
Miss who?" said the laughing
voice of his Settlebourne friend, Il
am not Miss Harding"
Then who in the name of good
ness are you?" he demanded eagerly.
She looked down demurely.
I'm that horrid Miss Leigh, as
you called me the other day."
Tom sat down and stared at her !;
presently he broke into a great laugh.
"Oh, it's all verywell to laugh" she
said, in an injured tone.
In a moment more he was kneeling
by her chair, looking up into her eyes.
Miss Leigh-Nellie-"
" / told you not to call me Nellie,
yesterday, she said tartly.
" Yes, but. yesterday isn't to-day !;
we're engaged now."
" Engaged, sir? What, after this?"
"Oh, hang the letter You know /
love you to distraction. You are your
own only rival in my love, and you will
marry me, dear, won't you?"
: Certainly not You said | was fast
and slangy, and that Hillingdon would
be cheap price to pay to be rid of
me. And then this letter! Let go
my hand-how dare you, sir Be
quiet, Mr.. Luttrelll Tom, don'tl"
But Tom was not to be denied. AZ
ter this spirited resistance Miss Leigh
ANONYMOUSLY.
" Tom" she whispered, as her head
lay on his shoulder, do you really
care for me?" Kisses and protesta-
tions.)
And do you really want to marry
me?" More kisses and protestations }
Then" and her voice sank lower
yet, then take down the card, for I'm
let to single gentleman"