The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-07-28

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that had seen his daughter
THE Cedars" would be some fine old
place, no doubt, as the name implied;
and perhaps Miss Brooks was an only
child. And here, my Imagination be-
coming rather lively saw myself wan
dering about those stately grounds with
that dear girl leaning on my arm, and
those clear, honest eyes looking up into
mine, the very thought of which caused
me to spring from my easy-chair and
pace about the room while devised some
plan that | might see her again, and that
| soon.
l have said that | was in business, and
my business habits prompted me to take
some steps, at once proper and effective.
| had made up my mind to see her. The
question was how to do so. Very simple
in itself, but not so easy to answer; for
after an hours Cogitation l could only
think of one course to pursue, which was
to 60 at once and call at "Tbe Cedars,"
and that seemed, even to me, to be rather
abrupt Under the circumstances, so
wearied and excited with my unsatisfac-
tory efforts, | took to the easy-chair
again, and opened the book had brought
from the library.
Now | appeal to anyone whether a
book has not a much greater attraction
when 1t has been just read by a person we
take great interest in. The book in
my hand was "a Tale of Two Cities"
and that particular copy of it had a
charm for me Dickens never dreamt of
l read on, l honestly confessed, thinking
as much of the eyes that had rested on
the pages so recently as of the tale it.
self, wondering what her emotions had
been as she came to certain passages,
and wishing | could learn them from her
own lips, and as l read, new idea came
/ to me, upon which | determined to act
| would write to Mr.. Brooks.
After some deliberation I wrote what |
considered to be very satisfactory let
+ ter; | introduced myself as the son of his
| old friend; mentioned having seen Miss
| Brooks on her way from the library, but
did not say when, for l fattered myself
she would be able to tell him that, if he
wished to know, and asked permission to
call at The Cedars" on Il certain day.
| Of course this gentleman might not have
been my fathers friend, after all, or his
daughter might have been engaged, or
she might possibly have forgotten meet
ing a stranger on her way from the libra
ry, or fifty things equally probable; but |
risked all, and sent the letter, and it
seems rather a bold step I took when
think of it now; yet when a man has
worked himself up to such pitch of eX
element that he feels he must do some
thing, it would be well if he never did
anything more out of the common line
than did then.
After a few days of suspense, which
will not attempt to describe, l received a
me that Mr.. Brooks would be glad to see
me on the day had named, and it bore
the signature of Kate Brooks"
will not enter into particulars as to
how | spent the space of time interven-
ing between the receiving of that note
and the day l had specified, or how often
Whispered to myself the name of Kate"
and almost persuaded myself into the
belief that it was the lovelest name ever
heard of for young lady; though must
confess that | had never taken to it very
kindly before l saw it in that note. Suf-
flee it to say, the time came at last for
my visit to "The Cedars"
walked briskly on, my heart beating
in double quick time; was fairly in for
it now, for | was within sight of the
house, and | felt strangely suspicious
that | was being taken stock of" as |
approached. | could not see anyone,
though | scanned the windows narrowly;
but | thought, as Kate knew the hour of
my visit, she would certainly be looking
for me from some point of view.
"The Cedars" was very pretty place,
soon saw that. The extensive garden,
and the large old-fashioned windows,
had such respectable, well-todo look,
that felt better pleased than ever-it
was just the home l had fancied for
sweet Kate. rang the bell and soon
found myself in the drawing-room, a
large, handsomely apartment,
but with such a multiplicity of mirrors
and looking glasses that, sit wherever |
would, saw myself reflected somewhere,
looking rather nervous, and feeling, in
spite of myself, very like an impostor.
L tllCu W Cdll up Il SldNC, uuCOuCCJucu
look, and then catching sight of my face
again could have laughed at its indie
scribable expression of pleasure and
anxiety.
l waited few minutes, listening for
every football. ] expected, of course, to
see Mr.. Brooks first; but how shall de-
scribe the thrill of delight experienced
when l heard quick, light step APP
preaching, and the rustic of silk, which
paused moment, and then the door
opened and lady entered; but not my
Kate. o no! the lady l was bowling to |
saw was tall and stately, and richly
dressed in black silk; but she was forty
at least; she made me a very low courtesy
and looked rather embarrassed, l thought.
| looked at her closely, for | rapidly
came to the conclusion that she must be
Hates mother; though it struck me as
being rather strange she was not men
toned in the note l had received. All
this passed through my mind as bowed
to her; and when raised my head |
again looked anXiously in her face to see
whether l could read my destiny there
She seemed still more confused, and
nervously clasping her hands, she said;
suppose need hardly introduce my
self as"-Mrs. Brooks, ! thought she