Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-04-22
Saturday, April %, 1875.
ONLY JUST LIZZIE.

the city !" cried Cliff Somcrs, as he met his
friend, Seymour Bowen, in Market street.
Haven't found boarding place to my no.
ton yet" said Seymour, as he shook Cliffs
hand.
Haven't you? Lucky, now, that l can
tell you the very place. Nice folks, nice house,
nice table Fine girls there, too Ever
heard of the Mortimers ?'
Horace Mortimer's famiy?'
Exactly. He died about two years since,
you may remember Widow purchased a
place over on the Jersey shore, and keeps
boarders. Here, III give you the address,
Here is: Mrs. Horace Mortimer, King street,
East Station }"
"Thapk you, thank you, CliT! I'll 60
over this very day, and see how like the look
of the land. "
"Ch, you'll IKE it. l stayed there two
months last Sumner. Would this, if could
get away. But, brother Tom is gone, you
know, and have to play pGferGmila' Tor
Laura and the little cubs. Say, Bowen, don't
you lose your heart to Miss Augusta Morti-
mer"
No danger" laughed Bowen.
al dou't know about that She's beauty
and no mistahe Nobody can resist her.
"Then how is it you came off scot-free?"
Oh, she wouldn't have looked at me I'm
not rich as you are. 'Twouldnt have dorc
any good. But there; must be off Sc,
you when you come back from Jersey"
Clia sprung upon an uptown car, ant
Seymour walked away to bis office.
Negotiations 10 Jersey were successful
Behold then, Mr.. Seymour Bowen cozilj
established in Mrs. Mottitners best chamber
and arranging bis household gds to sui
himself.
1--WE wish you to make yourself quite a
home here, SAID Mrs. Mortimer "My daugh'
ter is at present absent in the city, but sh'
will return in a day or SO, and be happy il
assisting to entertain you. We always en-
deavor to make things pleasant to our sum
mcr visitors" For Mrs Mortimer never useC
the obnoxious word "boardors," but alwny!
| spoke vf her visitors"
Mr.. Bowen, having an engagement with {
| friend in the city, returned before dinner th
/ FIRST day and came down to his boarding lac
again by the four o'clock train.
The evening was lovely, and Mrs. Morti
mer's grounds looked inviting. Mr. Bower
be.hought himself TO take stroll before sup
per, so down he went into the garden.
A little summer house at the foot Of tn
enclosure attracted him, and he was close be
side it before he saw that /. vas already occu
plea.
A glance showed him fair girl with brown
hair and eyes whose color he could not yet see
dressed in a simple blue lawn, with collar an'
cuffs Of blue-and-white striped linen, her onl.
ornament tiny coral brooch-for even tn
white fingers which held the pencil she wa
using were without rings.
"Ah the daughter has returned, though
Seymour. "Dut this is no dasbing belle sh
is more like home fairy"
Hearing his foot5,ep, tie young girl locke,
up, bfa3hcd Quickly, and instantly arose.
Pardon me | did not mean to iuterup
you" said Seymour, stepping forward with {
courteous bow. "The little arbor looked s
pleasant, I could not resist its attractions.
did not know it 5aS occupied"
"ob, you are quite Welcome" said th
young lady gathering up her paper and pencil
Il was just going to the house anyway"
"I presume | have the pleasure Of address
iug Miss Mortimer" said Bowen, touching hi
hat again.
She looked up with glance half-sad, half
mischievous, which Seymour could not com
prehend, as she answered:
Not Hiss Mortimer-I am only just Liz
zie. My sister has not returned from town
But you. am sure, are Mr. Bowen" Sey'
mour bowed again, and expressing hifnse!
pleased to make Miss Lzzie's acquaintance
begged permission to occupy her retreat 1T
tie while.
"Oh, yes" she said, with 4 brish! smile
lifting the eyes 4hich Seymour now saw were
a beautiful brown. Come here whenevei
you please And if you ever wan, to be Ter,
lonely and get away from eyerybOdy-sec
here" she drew aside thick screen Of mo-
nordica vines, and showed an inner seat, quite
hidden from outside view.
"Glorious I shall enjoy this vastly =
cried Bowen.
al hope you viii. No one ever comes here
bu. me, and I give you free permission to take
possession" said the girl.