The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-01-28


might have seen the smile and blush
of pleasure which lit up her face as
! he spoke.
"You see," he continued, "it's my
fathers marriage, not mine; and a
man likes to choose his own wife. |
dare say there's no real harm in the
young person.
"lf she's your friend, itspeaks well
for her but still"
"But still what? You've never seen
her; how can you tell you won't like
her."
Tom became more than ever alb
sorbed in his excavations.
"The truth is" he blurted out be-
tween the digs; "the truth is that late
", quite lately: | think I've seen the
only girl | shall ever come to ask to
be my wife" and he looked suddenly
up at her.
She rose confused, began to consult
her watch earnestly.
Il 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, interposing it between them as
they said adieu.
"When shall | see you again 2"
he asked as he held out his hand at
parting. She allowed it to linger in
his as she answered.
"Oh, soon, | dare say; perhaps
when you least expect it. And gent
ly returning the pressure of his hand,
she turned away. After few steps
she looked back
ANY message TO Miss Leigh :"
she asked, mockingly.
"Oh, confound Miss Leigh ~
growled Tom. Il wish she was in
Otahette. Then seating himslf on
the stilc, he lit cigar and watched
her graceful figure till he could see 1t
no longer. Suddenly he smote his
thigh-''By jovc, ! never got her
name after ALL he said.
Immediately on arriscing ut his
inn he commenced a cIoss-examina-
ton of his hostess by which he learn
ed two facts. Firstly, that Newlands
was the property of Sir John Trum-
bull and secondly that there were
two young ladies staying there Miss
Leigh and Miss Harding.
Next day saw him speeding in q
Hansomc from Paddingten to his
fathers house in Book Street, intent
on destroying that worthy old gentle
mans peace of mind by the announce
ment of his determination to give up
Miss Leigh and Hillingdon.
lis my father in, Simms2" be ask
ed of the butler, when that function
airy appeared; to attend his young
master
NO, sir; Mr.. Luttrell went out
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 ducc." said Tom; they
haunt me wherever go,' 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 be had finished his
lunch, his mind was made up. Sc
lecting hugely crested sheet OF stiff
note-psper, 80 as to give the dOcu-
ment an official character, he sat
down, squared his elbows, and COM
menced to write.
The following epistle was the re-
suit of his efforts:
Ny Dear. Miss Leigh:-For the
first time | address you personally,
though you doubtless must have been
tor 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 fu-
ture-whether we shall go through
life together or separate at once and
forever | will not conceal from you
dear Miss Leigh, that for some years
| have looked on you as my destined
bride, and have considered myself
fortunate in the prospect of an ALI
aEce of whose beauty and goodness
| have heard so much. 1t is quite re-
Gently that | have discovered that my
heart is no longer mine to dispose of,
and feel to urge you TO fulfil our
would be to insure a
life of misery for both OF us-Let us,
then, separate without personal in
terview, which would only cause un-
necessary embarrassment As to Hill
ington,I resign to YOU willingly, feel
ing sure you should make a better
mistress than | would q master.
Trusting, then, some day to meet
you as the bride of some cne more
worthy to possess you than myself,
| am my dear Miss Leigh, your sin
cere friend.
THOMAS CURZoN LUTTRELL.
"That'lI do, | think. | hope it
won't smell of tobacco, Simms," as
hat worthy answered the bell: take ;
his to Miss Leigh, with my comply +,
nents."
Simms was too well trained to ,
show surprise at anything; be bowed ,
md went In ten minutes returned.
Miss Leigh's compliments, strand ;
would you speak to her in the draw
ng room!"
ooh, hang her." said Tom but
here was no escape. The drawing /,
'oom was darkened to exclude the T,
afternoon sun, but Tom discovered a
white figure at the far end, which +,
'ose and bowed as he advanced
81 am delighted Miss Leigh" he 4,
began, "to have the pleasure !
Iulloa! Miss Harding! You here? ?"
"Miss who?" said the laughing !,
-oicc of his Settlebourne friend, II :
I'm not Miss Harding" !
Then who in the name of good !;
less are you ?" he demanded eagerly. /;
She looked down demurelv. )
"I'm that borrid Miss Leigh, as }
-ou called me the other day" :
Tom sat down and stared at her :,
PRESENTLY he broke into great laugh. I
"Oh, it's all very well to laugh"
he said in an injured tone.