The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1876-01-20

love-
My business engagements now demand my
immediate return to London, but feel that
cannot 90 without first learning my fate.
make now an honorable offer of my haud i'll
marriage and bcseech you not TO think lightly
of it. as on your decision must depend my lite'>
happiness or misery. If possible answer
per to-,lav'S post will very much oblge.
Yours respectfully, JOHN FERR AIRS.
That will do, | said holding the sheet
covered with Jacks neat handwriting, al
arms length "Concisc to the point; not
too spoony; slightly formal; but under
the circumstances it is better So
Jack folded the letter and addressed It
and with serious misgivings at my heart.
which dared not express. walked with
him to the post office, and saw him drop
the miasiYe into the box. We did nothing
all day but lounge about the house and
garden. waiting aMNiously until the post
man would bring the letters in the even
INC At length the weary day passed.
and the lcttcrcarrles arrived; and sure
enough thcre il was, a little pink note,
addressed to john terrars, ESD My heart
beat as quickly rs if it We're my own hap
pineSs that was at stake aS Jack broke the
seal looked over his shoulder. and
what we both saw was
"Wednesday Afternoon.
DEAR Mn. fEEEAEs: | accept the great
honor Nou have dome me. Before. howtNF en-.
meeting you wotd Ike You to See papa, and
.,btnin his consent to our engagement.
Yours, sincerely. EINICE ll.NI.AM.
There is an old llage that says truth
is stranger than iction, and if ever tcl
the force of it it was hen read that note.
Contrary 10 All my expectations, Jack had
actually been accepted lie bore his good
fortune with much more cquanmity than
| did. his only remark being: 'Elmice-
what Il pretty name, While L. with
strangely mixed feelings, actually ~0t up
Il nurruh,
The neNt difficulty was how or where to
meet Colonel llallam and obtain his con-
sent An idea seized me. | had seen TIE
old Colonel walk down the road Il short
time before. Stay You here" said to
Jack and putting on my hat, oil boltcd.
| had not gone far when | cspied the Col
onel leaning on 4 Wire fence, watching
some workmen digging a dram. rretend-
inc to be Interested in the same pursuit.
walked up and made some remark regard
| ing the work. Thereafter we got on the
most friendly terms, which ended, as in
tended it should, by his walking home
with me. and coming into the house to
Join in Il rubber of whist. | conducted
him into The dining-room, and then Went
for Jack. He began to get slightly merry
oHs when he heard what | had done, but
| told him not to say any thing to the Col
onel about his daughter tonight. only to
make himself as agreeable Us he could.
then Instructed Mrs. Mason to set down
the very best She had in the house for sup
| anI TN, t4l,t. int.
guest. We found him charming old
gentleman AT whist he and dummy beat
Jack and me; and, possessing an meN-
time passed So pleasantly that ii was
twelve o'clock before he rose to 90
A cordial invitation to visit him was eN-
tended to us as we hade him good night
in the hall. which was exactly what
wanted and meant we should have lnIl-
| inc a grave i;ice, | said
"Nothing would have given Us greater
pleasure had we been staying longer, but
we are to leave for London the day after
Tomorrow
Then You must spend tomorrow eve
ming with ne" was his hearty rejoindrr.
II will take no REFUSAL
And to the arrangement we agreed.
"A thousand thanks to YOU, Bob YOUR
n capital fellow" said Jack, gratefully
graspng my hand rs We separated tor the
night.
''Ferrars.
''lIcIlo'"
Are YOU ready ." was donnin9 my
dress suit preparatory to presenting my ~ef
in Colonel lIallam'S drtWing-room.
"IeS.'
Come here, then"
He came in, dressed tor conquest cyi-
IDENTIFY and looking faultIessly handsome.
| surveyed him critically. There was not
an item amiss from the ncglige arrange
mcnt of his auburn cnrlS to the polish OF
his patent feathers
"IIow do look o. he asked with gay
laugh and satisfactory glance at his
magnificent proportions in the mirror.
Like u Polish Prince" | answered.
Miss llailam may have many lovers, but
III bet Il new hat She never had a better
looking fellow than Nou. Now, look here.
vou'll do exactly rs tell you, and not di-
verge one iotA from the rule lay down.
Ask for Colonel lialanl, and say YOU wish
to see him alone When the first greet
ings are over you'll explain to him that
Mr.. Harding is detained for Il short time
with n little packing he had to finish, and
that YOU did not wait for him rs You had
something to communicate to him (the
Colonel) Then pitch into the subject
nearest Your heart; tell him off, your busi-
ness and social connections. and don't neg
lect to impress him that You are youl
mothers only son. and heir, to her fortune
and estates. These sort Of things 90 q
| l.n,r ,ya,r ,y;tl, tI,n t,I,l hove
Having thus delivered my adv ice tc
Jack | sent him oil to push his sentimental
fortunes with Colonel IIallam. and sat
down pensively to smoke a cigar, betor,
following HIM. Abou, half an hour after
ward | sailed forth, and Il minute or two
: found me ringing at the Colonel's front
door My heart beat audbly, as, follow
inc the servant up stairs, | heard the pia
/ no, and Miss lIalam's voice merrilv hum
ming u bar or two Of some lively air, an,
felt much relieved when the door wa
thrown open, and found myself usheret
into the presence Of only Colonel llallan
and Jack, One glance at Jack tlushcl
; and radiant face as he stood leann.
against the marble mantle piece, ,suiccd t,
assure me that all had gone ''merry as
marriage bell' with him, and with a feel
ing OF thanktulness returned the Colo
! nel's cordial greeting.
"Come away, now, and see the ladies
y | know this boy is getting inpatient h
said with a twinkle in his eye. as he lai'
+ his hand tamiliarly on Ferrar's shoulder
Its all right. old boy, and I'm tn
. happiest fellow alive,' whispered Jack, a
: we followed the Colonel down stairs bu
had only time to grasp his hand an,
4 give it a squeeze of congratulation, whe
e the drawing-room door was opened AM
we entered.
# The elder lady was seated ona couch be
II side the fireplace where Il fire had beer
8 lighted for the evenings were gettin;
chill; the younger was leaning on tn
J., grand piano engaged in looking owe
some music. Both stood erect when W
entered. The Colonel going over to th
elder lady, took her hand and led her for
ward, saying as he did so ''Eunice, hav