Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1874-01-08
ADVERTISERS R4Tss


of the butler. when that functiohary
appeared to attend his young mastar.
No, sir; Mr.. Luttrell went out with
Mr.. Leigh just after lunch'
Mr.. Leigh lis he here?'
yes, sir; Mr.. and Miss Leigh arriy.
ed this morning from the country.
The deuce pisaid Tom. they seem to
haunt me wherever, l go" and be re-
tired precipitatcIy into his own den.
Bring me something to eat here,
oimnis ;and don't let Miss Leigh know
that aai in the house, -
by the time he had finished his lunch
his mind was made up. Selecting \
geIy-crested sheet OF stiff nose-pa-
paer, SO as TO give the document an
official characies, he sat down, squared
his elbows, and p, epared TO write. The
following episteI was the result of his
efro It's: e
MY DEAR Miss LEIGH: For the
first time 1 addressed you personally,
though you must doubtless have been
Tor some time aware of the link which
| n some way connects US. The time has
now arrived whed our decision must
be made as to our future-whether
we shall so through life together or
separate at once al aud forever.
l will not conceal from you, my, dear
Miss Leigh, that Tor many years have
looked ON you as my destined bride,
and bave considered myself fortanste
In the prospect OF an alliance with one
OF whose beauty and goodness have
heard SO much. Ii is quite recently
have discovered that my heart is no
longer mine to dispose OF, and i now
feel that to urge. You to fulfill our en-
gagement would be to insure life of
misery for both of US. Let us, then,
separate without personal interview,
which would only caase Unnecessary
embarrassmenL As TO Hillington, /
resign lit you willingly, feeling sure
that you will make a better mistress
there than ever should master.
Trusting, then, some day to meet
you as the bride OF one more W orthy to
possess you than my self, i am dear
Miss Leigh, your sincere friend, =
THOMAS CuRzoN LUTTELL."
'That'n do, | lhink- l. hope it won't
smell OF tobacco Simms, as thss
worthy answered the bell. take this to
Miss Leigh, with my compliments"
Simms was too we'll trained toshow
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-rOomY g-fa4 ssa1 .s5.S0G
Oh, hang her !, said Tom; but there
was no escape. The drawing-room
was darkened to exclude the afternoon
sun, but Tom discovered a white figure
at the far end, which rose and bowed
as he advanced. -. .7i.-l.-lt..sf
4 am delighted, Miss Leigh he be-
gan, TO have the pleasure-s.Hnlloal
Miss HardiDg? You here's
Miss who? said the laughing voice
OF his Settlebourne friend, L ana not
Miss Harding - ss,l-r
Then whom the name of goodness
are your he demanded, eagerly.
She look ed down demureIy.i -
I'm that horrid Miss Leigh, as you
called me the other day. ,l..,-y
Tom sat down and stared at her.
presently be broke intoa great laugh.
oh, it's all very well to laugh, she
said in an injured tone. .9saaifG7st
In moment more he was kneeling
by her chair, looking up into her eyes.
Miss Leigh-Nellie- -.
4 told you not to cali me Nellie,
yesterday che said tartly.
Yes, but yesterday isn't to-day;
we're engaged now.' u -szas.if7e
Engaged, sir? What, after, thisr
oh, hang the letterl You know /
love you to distraction. You are your
only rival in my love, and you will
marry me, dear, won't you fis9,g
Certainly not. You, said / was fast
and slangy, aud that Hilingdon woald
be cheap Price to pay to be rid of me.
And then this letter! Let gomy hand
how dare you,e sir Be quiet Mr..
LpttreiI! Tom, don'tR b ,rif ssF
But Tom was not to be denied. After
this spirited resistance Miss Leigh sur
re nder ignemiuieusly.sz lsganss
Tom, she whispered, as her head lay
oB his shoulder, do you really care for
me-? (Kisses and protestations.)
And do you really want to marry
me?' (More kisses and pretestatious.)
Then and her voice sank lower yet,
then take down the card, for Pm let
to a single geutieman.'-1oaca and
Country. sialL L----ietise1i -