The Van Buren press., 1874-04-21

WORK Ill pcaee. "" "'o
see; may look !"
"Oh, YES but it's miserable failure
I'm afraid, she said, laughing, as she
handed it to him. Tom examined it, and,
being bit of an amateur himself, pro-
cecded To criticize. and finally to instruct,
He found the girl very charming she
seemed so delightfully."- from all conven
tionality, without at all resembling his
bette noir, the " fast girl "
They grew quite confidential as the
lesson proceeded, and were amazed
when, on consulting watches, they dis
covered that it was halt past six.
81 must ny,' she said, or ! shall be
late for dinner, and Sir John cant stand
that. "
"Have you far to goi' asked Tom,
craftily.
"About mile. Tn staying at New
lands. Good bye. No, can carry thew,
thanks. | couldn't think OF troubling
you any more Good bye" and she was
Off
Tom went to his room, thinking a
great deal about his new friend, wonder
ing where the charm lay which. even
more than her beauty, had fascinated
him. Perhaps it's her dress, he
thought; Z" she dresses better than any
girl ever saw; and then her boots
Here he lit cigar and fell into dream
about the said boots and about the lltile
white hand which had worked SO indus
triously and conidingly under the diree-
ton of his big brown paw. All the next
day he wandered by the river, but she
came not That evening he was restless
and i'll tempered with his hostess and
every one who approached him.
The day after he was more fortunate.
She was sitting in the old spot, and greet
ed him smiinely
"You're just in time, - she said.
Look at my tree; isn't it like those
bright. green caulillowers you see in the
pickle bottles y
Tom sat down and set to work on the
refractory tree while she watched him.
II say, said she at last, " isn't this
drcadfully improper 7"
(Which ~ asked Tom, working away
vigorously.
"Why, you and me-" she replied un-
grammaticalv. We've never been in
troduced, and | don't in the least know
who you are or anything about you.
Lady Turnbull would have a fit If she
knew it. y
LET me introduce myself, said Tom,
laughing " My name is Luttrell, Tom
Luttrell: or, if you prefer it, Thomas
Cursor Alvanlcy Luttrell. "
II she had not been sitting behind him,
Tom must have noticed the flush which
spread over her face at this announce
ment After pause, she said, slowly;
$50 you're Tom Luttrell !"
AYES, said he, looking up What
do you know Of me Z"
There is a young lady staying ut
Newlands who is a great friend of mine /;
she has told me about you.
3" Indeed And what's her name ?"
"Miss Leigh; Nellie Leigh.
1t was Toms turn to flush now. "Aliss
Leigh y he repeated. Good heavens
you do not mean to say she is in the
neighborhood p
"You don't seem fond Of her, +" she
said, quietly.
Tom painted viciously. 81 hate fast
glrls, " he said, at last
How do you know she's fast' You
never saw her.
1--WE heard about her, Tom said,
gloomily.
"What have you heard about her ?"
demanded his companion, sharply
why, there was Earnest Browne, he
met her a little while ago. She talked
along the whole time to him, and--and
swore, | think lie said, and wanted TO
smoke. Then Tivcrton told me she was
the best hand at quoting Artemns Ward
he ever heard. Bah hate Il girl that
quotes Artemus Ward; > and Tom
switched ,iciously at the dandelions with
his cane.
His companion watched him with a
mischicvous smile.
II wish you'd be less keelless with
that weppin," she said; "you'll upset
my water directly, and then you'll have
to get some more.
Now don't you begin it. pleaded
Tom
"Why not? like Artemus "
Tom shrugged his shoulders
Well, " his tormcntor continued,
" have you any other fault to find with
your bride p
She's not my bride.
But she will be.
"No, I'm bothered il she viii Tom
broke out, vehemently
"What! VIII you buy freedom with
Hillingdon and seven thousand year. "
AYE, and think it cheap at that
price. -
complimentary to Miss Leigh, Shall
| tell herr"
"lf you likc--but never mind Miss
Leigh.
You've not told me your name yet, "
said Tom, after awhile,
"My name 7" she repeated; H." oh never
mind my name.
"But | do mind your name. Won't
you tell me =
my names Nellie, too,' she said,
musingly.
"Shal | call you Nellie, then ~ he
asked
Certainly not, " she said, coldy, and
recommended painting vigorously He
was getting on too fast.
Tom watched her silently. Won't