The Republican journal., 1874-01-22

| he ever heard. Bah ! hate u glrl that
quotes Artemas Ward?" and Tom switched
viciously at the dandelons with his cane
| His companion watched him with q
mlschievous smile.
| 81 wish you'd be less kcerless with tha,
weppin,n she said, you'll upset my
water directly, and then you'll have to g
and get some more"
"Now, don't YOU begin it, Tom plead
ed
"Why not? like ArtemasT
Tom shrugged his shoulders.
'Well," his tormenter continued. .'havt
you amy other fault to find with you
bride ?"
"She's moi my bride
But She will be"
NO, I'm bothered if She will :" Tom
broke out vehementlv
'What. will you buy your freedom
with Hillingdon and seven thousand q
Year,"
Aye, and think it cheap at that price :
"Complimcntarv to Miss Leigh. Shal
tell her >"
.'lf YOU like but never mind Mis-,
Leigh
"Iou've not told me your name yet.
said Tom, after 4 while.
My name :" she repeated: '.oh, nevel
mind my name"
''But | do mind your name. Won't you
tell me?1
My names Nellie. too, She said mus
ingly.
"Shall call YOU Nellie, then ?" he asked
"Certanlv not, she said coldlv, and re
commenced painting vigorously. He WA:
(r,ltt inc t1n tl-
Tom watched her silently. "Wont yot
forgive me - he pleaded after while,
'Shall / ?" she said, holding her sketch
at arms length, to observe the effect.
Yes, do, " said Tom, its SO Christian.
Then | Will, and she gave hlm he,
hand with most adorable smile. Ton
felt sadly inclined to kiss it. but RETAINED
Now" said She, consulting her watch
II must be off,
and will you allow me to carry yom
| things :" asked Tom.
But at this moment She was capricious
as ladies will be sometimes, and positively
refused to allow him to do any such thing
Then arose a struggle for the things,
which were, however, captured by Ton
after short resistance
She turned and walked majestcally
away as Tom gathered up the implements
with grin, and followed her When he
came up to her She was sitting on stile
looking dreamily on the ground. She
raised her eyes as he approached
Mr. Luttrell, she said. Il want to speak
to you seriously'
Tom deposited his burden on the ground
sat himself on Il log facing her, and wait
ed solemnly.
Il want to know if you're quite deter
mined not to marry Miss Leigh ?''
IL am,n he replied, looking steadily al
her, and tapping his teeth with her H b
pencil.
.'Since when ?n she hesitated
''Snce when?" she repeated imperiously
Tom began to DIG little holes with his
"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, ''it's my IA
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 hel
-Dut SLlll--
but still what 2" You've never seen
her; how can you tell you won't like
her?''
Tom became more than ever absorbed
in his excavations
The truth is he blurted out between
the digs; 1.-THE truth is that lately, quite
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, began to consult
her watch earnestly.
Il must 90, really. Please give me my
things. This is the park boundry, so
won't trouble you any more
She sprang over the stle as she spoke
iaterposing it between them as they saiC
adieu
'When shall | see You again ?" he asked
us he held her hand at parting. She al
lowed it to linger in his as she answered.
''Oh soon, [ dare say perhaps whel
you least expect it. And gently returning
the pressure Of his hand, She turned away
After a few steps she looked back
"Any message to Miss Leigh - she
asked, mockingly
"Oh, confound Miss Leigh!n growlec
lOnl. II WISH Snc was IN OCanelte.
Then, seating himself on the stile, he lit Z;
cigar and watched her graceful figure till
he could see it no longer Suddenly he
smote his thigh-''By Jove! never go1
her name after all" he said
Immediately on arriving at his inn he
commenced u cross examination OF hi;
hostess, by which he learned two facts
Firstly, that Newlands was the property
of Sir John Turnbull and secondly, thai
there were two young ladies staying there
Miss Leigh and Miss Harding.
Next day saw him speeding in hanson
from Paddlington to his fathers house in
Brook street, intent on DESTROYING that
worthy old gentleman's peace of mind by
the announcement of his determination tC
give up Miss Leigh and Hillingdon.
SIS my father in, Simms?" he asked OF
the butler, when that functionary appear
ed to attend his young master.
"No, sir; MI Luttrell went out with
Mr.. Leigh just after lunch"
"Mr. Leigh Is he here p
Eyes, sir; Mr.. and Miss Leigh arrived
this morning from the country'
"The deuce" said Tom; ''they haunt
me wherever | CO." and he retired pre-
cipitately to his own den