The Portland daily press., 1876-10-30

was in no mood for rest; he was angry with |
himself for what he had said to Miss Lol- |
lard, and with Miss Courtenay for what she |
had said to him: at odds with her. himself, |
and the world at large. So he sat mp, smok- |
ing and staring at the moon, instead of en-
ioying that sweet slumber which visits inno- !
cent pillows.
1t was only day or two later that, stroll |
ing up a bushy green lane beside the farm
house he suddenly came face to face with
Miss Cou1tenay. This time there was no
mistake about the tears in her eyes, nor
about the agitation of her face.
SIS this moonlight, too?" he could not re-
sst saying, but before he could add another
word
Don't stop me don't stop mep' she cried
almost wildly, and slipping past him was out
of sight in an instant.
What could have been the matter? The
question absorbed him so that he failed to
notice that his sisters face, too, wole look
of worry.
sob, dear, what vexatous world this
u.s." she sighed at lengh.
"What roseleaf has doubled up, now?" he
asked, absently
"It is nothing to jest about, Ned: 1 shall
hated to part with Miss Courtenay."
Part with Miss Courtenayv' Mr.. Locks
ley was wide enough awake now. "But why
in the world should you?"
swell, you see, dear, Augustus and she
don't quite get on together. It's very trying,
with Nina's French, and Helen getting such
good STYLE" continued Mrs. Hamlyn plain
lively, "but have no choice"
s'You have the alternative Part with dear
Augusta" said Locksley, coolly; then, as his
sister looked puzzled and indignant. ''But
gusta Lolari don't get on with Miss Courte-
nay?" Come, Gracie," as she looked mystic
rious. ''Since you have said so much, you
might as well say more-and perhaps I may
have hit upon a plan to help you; who
knows ?"
"Well," began Mrs Hamlyn again, hesita-
tingly, 1.-The fact is, Augusta tancies-it
nothing but fancy as tell her, but she
won't be persuaded-she thinks Mr.. Hast
enay, and of course she is annoyed
'Why annoyed?" interrupted Locksley,
''Does she want him herself?"
mo, of course not But naturally she
wouldn't like such match for her cousin"
sob, Well go on.''
t-Wel, to-day it seems she saw them to-
gether and that put her out; and so VIII en-
he got Miss Courtney alone, she-Augusta
is high spirited and fancy she spoke pretty
plainly"
..Nedm said his sister, presently.
EDO you really mean what you said about
helping me?"
''Why, certainly / would if could"
''You could if you would" put in Mrs.
| Hamlyn, so significantly, that he waited with
| some curiosity for her to explain herself.
'You know" she continued, rather halt
| ingly, 81 have planned-that is, hoped for
ever so long, you and Augusta would make
| match. And I am sure she that is,
| don't think she dislikes you,why should she !?
She has seen so much of you, my brother,
| too. and then you know, Ned, you are not a
| bad
Enough, Gracle," interrupted her broth
| er laughing. "NO need OF much apology for
| such flattering hint. Consider my delicate
sense of propriety appeased. and come to the
| point"
She came to the point with iump
swell, then, if you would offer yousef to
| Augusta. she would be too much pleased to
bother about Mr.. Hastings or anything else."
| "You overwhelm me! I must consider
| your suggestion" said Locksley, coolly, as he
rose. $50 that was the cause of the tears
l wonder If it will influence her answer to
Hastings proposal when it comes, as it will ?'
he said to himself, and, perhaps, with a view
| of gaining some light on the question, he
went out on the piazza, and looked about for
| Miss COurtenay. But she was not visible,
/
| day. A headache-which feminine stalking
horse Miss Courtenay, to do her justice, rarely
made use of-excused from leaving her room,
| so that Locksley had to defer whatever plan
he had formed for satisfying his curiosity.
But the day gave him his revenge. He
| found the governess on the cliffs overlooking
| the gambols of Nina and Helen near by.
| She could not leave the children, consequent
ly she could not leave the children 8 uncle, as
l che lookpd mr. IN do III
fastened to improve the position, having re-
| solved on bold game
sMiss Courtenay," he said in a low voice,
II beg your pardon most sincerely for speak
| ing as did yesterday. When you were so
agItated too-and no wonderv' Then as she
| remained silent. You see L know all about it
now.
She turned her face toward him with sim
gular mixture of annoyance and apprehen-
sion on it.
''Those were most uncalled for remarks of
Miss Lollaara's," he resumed, ignoring the
| fact that his own at present might thus be
| qualified, "about Mr.. Hastings"
The apprehension faded all at once out of
her face, leaving look almost of relief in
stead.
sAh, so it was not that" thought the
quick-witted observer; and then with a sud-
den change of tactics, he risked his trump.
MAY ask, Miss Courtrnay, what Miss
Lollard was good enough to say about me ?''
This time the face was turned away, and il
was flushed.
'I--really excuse me, Mr.. Locksley, but
my private affairs can hardly interest,""
EXCUSE me, but as they seem to have be-
come complicatedwith my private affairs. how
ever, scarcely need trouble you to answer;
l fancy can make tolerably fair resume
now Miss Courtenay, since you have let Miss
Lollard speak for me, you can't, in common
justice, refuse to let me speak for myself"
And it would appear that his speaking was
to some effect, inasmuch as Miss Courtenay
was presently heard to remark, hesitatingly,
''But your sister has set her heart on your
marrying Miss Lollard."
"And have set mine on marrying Miss
Courtenay."
''But Mrs. Hamlin would never consent to
your marrying her governess.''
Zone would think Mrs. Hamlyn was nay
governessP' rejoined Locksley, rather impa-
renewed. And Miss Courtenay looked as if
she did not find the uncle of his nieces so
oery Objectionable after all.
And what answer shall you give, Laura 90
asked Locksley gravey, after pause
81 shall refer him to you," replied Laura,
with equal gravity.
SIN loco parentis?" And then they both
laugneu. JUST as II IL was not anything more
than joke for poor George Hastings, who
was very much in earnest and deserved bet
ter treatment. But then lovers never have
any heart except for each other. Besides,
Laura Courtenay was just now thought
lessly happy, for had she not loved from the
very first this man beside her, whom she had
believed lost to her forever, and who had
just broken down the double barriers of pride
and misunderstanding?
"Gracie," said Lccksley later to his sister,
II have solved your dilemma, have pro-
posed
''You dear, good boyp' cried Mrs. Oracle
in ecslacy.
Aud what is more, have been accepted"
mot much doubt about that" said Mrs.
Hamlyn. unable to resist launching this little
feminine shaft at her friend.
81 can assure you had some very uncom-
Portable doubts. Bnt love is blind, they
say"
$50 it all comes round just as I planned,''
sighed the little lady contentedlv "And