The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-07-14

he henceforth think of her? He would
always believe that she had uttered those
rude words, she, and none other.
And as he left the room she followed
him, and the servant who had answered
the bell retired at her nod, and left the
two together in the long hall, where thew
could near the long and violent explo-
sions of laughter with which Betsy was
now filling the drawIng-room.
I" Mr.. Harrington" said Elsie, her face
crlmsoning as she spoke, 81 cannot let
you go without word of explanation.
II have been so grieved that YOU
should be insulted. l never meant"
My dear young lady, you have moth
ingto do with it, and my feelings are not in
the least hurt, replied the young man.
" Who could care anything for what a
person like the woman we have Just left
could say? But am amazed that that
should be Miss Seabright. know she
is lady by birth. | understood that
she was beautiful and gentle. /"
"Oh, Mr.. Harrington, cried Elsie,
" | have been such a foolish girl She
is not Miss Seabright. l am Miss Sea.
bright. lit was a ridiculous strata.
gem of mine. | hated the idea of be-
trothal to stranger, and l desired that
you should take the initiative in break
ing off the match. But, believe me,
had no knowledge of your intirmities,
which could be only a subject for SYM
pathy to me; and | beg you to forgive
me for placing that coarse woman in a
position in which she could insult you
Prove it by remaining with me until
can offer you some refreshment after your
long journey"
The young man bowed, looked at her
a moment, and then replied frankly:
Madam, quite appreciate your mo.
tlves and entirely forgive you. | am
pleased to accept your invitation"
1t was the custom in well-arranged
houses at that day tosend guests to their
rooms for awhile before dinner.
Accordingly Miss Seabright ordered a
servant to show Mr.. Harrington to an
apartment on the upper floor, and retired
to her own room to dress for dinner
Ten minutes after her entrance into
this apartment, this servant brought her
a large bundle and a small nOte-a bun
die several feet long, and a note few
inches square. She opened the note first
and read these words:
My DEAR Miss SEABRIGHT-I have a con-
fessiOn to make. | also, before | met YOU,
had resolved that you should be the one to
decline the conditions of our fathers wills,
intending afterward to give you back your
share of the property. Consequently set
about devising a scheme; and reading my
school-day letters, it occurred to me that no
one ever went through so many small acct
dents quite unscathed and unmarried before.
| knew that few women would choose to
marry very hideOus man, consequently
cOncocted a disguise which | fancied would
make me repugnant to the least particular of
the fair sex. Allow me to lay at your feet
my crutches, which I never needed, thank
Heaven; my hump, which was a feather pill
low; the skull-cap, which did not hide my
bald pate, and all my baDdages and patches.
The vermilion which adorned my nose have
removed with little water; and, though OBJ
tanned my invitation 10 dinner under false
pretenses, beg TO be allowed to pay my re-
spects to you in proper person, and to apollo
gize for my trick, which, after all, dear
madam, was only tit for tat
HAROLD HARRINGTON.
At first Elsie was unreasonable angry,
but her anger did not last long. They
met at dinner, and before they parted it
was quite concluded that they should
carry out the wishes of their parents by
agreeing to dine together always
PhiLadelphia Post.