The Portland daily press., 1877-03-17

Laura's admirer, betrothed for all know to
the contrary"
A sudden white pallor swept across Mrs.
Ryve's face; but she averted her head so sud
denly that Gussie did not see it.
''He's real handsome. stylish fellow, we
think. There, Mrs. Ryve, have succeeded
in pinning that spray of cematis properly?
Thank you! Yes. we like him amazingly:
Laura seems perfectly enraptured with him."
Mrs. Rye toyed with her gilt-haDdled fan.
''And Mr.-Nr. Merle, you said his name
was, was piqued because 1 wore yeil2"
Gussie laughed.
$50 Laura said. He wants an introduce
to you. Tll give it if you say So"
A little fash of Mrs. Ryve's eyes, then her
answer:
"Thank you! No, Miss Cunningham! !
only came for quiet and habit of observa-
walton natural to me. don't at all care for
society,""
"All rightp' Gussie returned good natured-
Branch for quiet 1 can't TELL"
Mr.. Merle stood before his little looking
glass, carefully arranging his hair, and giving
sundry finishing touches to his Immaculate
lawn tie-a handsome, gay-looking fellow,
wearing his thirty-five years very lightly,
with few worse faults than considerable vani-
ty, and an Unsuitable thirst for flirting with
every new, pretty face. Not that he did not
love Florence; dearly and truly he did, only
it was so good to do a little flirting OCCASION
ally.
This time Mrs. Rye was the chief attrac-
ton, before whose mysterious grace even
Laura Cunningham paled. Several attempts
at an introduction had failed, each failure but
adding renewed zest to the chase, until in
positive despair. Harry had sent her the
most elegant basket of flowers, containing a
tiny note that told his keen admiration, and
begging reply.
And there had come dainty little back
handed notelet accepting the delicate offer
ing, and assuring Mr.. Merle of Mrs. Ryve's
gratefulness and appreciation.
Then Harry had written again, and in a
weeks time, half dozen bouquets had found
their way to the Severes vase in Mrs. Ryve's
room and as many ardent letters to their
place in her portfolio.
But never an interview. With all his
pleading TO ''look in the face he knew was so
sweet and kind''-with all bis graceful coax
Ing "to be permitted to touch the hand that
sent such welcome letters''-he had not been
able to obtain even the promise of an inter-
view, until, now, two hours before the time
appointed in an open letter that lay on his
dressing case-square sheet of fimsy, Cross
barred note bearing several lines of Mrs.
"
He had read it rapturously, over and over !;
and now, as he looked impatiently at his
watch, he read it again, and the half-familiar-
ity, half-shyness OF the language delighted
him.
"Dear Mr.. Merle: have been thinking
perhaps am cruel in longer Withholding my
self from one who has been so kind. If you
really wish to see me, and are willing to run
the risk of disappointment, when you find
am not at all the ideal woman you paint me,
will be at the small summer house opposite
the West End at ten this evening. If by any
possibility Others should be in the vicinity,
which l think the hops will preclude, you will
know me by a toilet OF white, and tulle veil
on my head and face, and around my neck"
Now it was nine, and from his room
Harry heard the monotonous tuning Of the
band,
"She could not have chosen a more auspi-
cious time. There are hops at the United
States, Howland's, and here at the Ocean.
Everybody is sure to be at one or the other,
and will have delightful walk with her on
the sands; then there will come few days of
rides, AMI walks and dances, and enjoyment
generally, and then-the end of it all; and
home to Flo and the babies, and the office"
A sgh-his better natures tribute to the
wife he loved, and yet was acting so I'M
worthily toward-.-and then he went to the
brilliant scenes around the ball room, and
the piazza, and the clerks office, to await the
wished for hour of ten.
At twenty minutes of it his patience was
exhausted and he started forth down Ocean
avenue, now quite deserted, save by parties
Fastening in full dress to the great lighted
ballroom.
Down past the pavilion, the Central,
Jaush's he hurried, yet knowing perfectly
well he would be too soon; then the big,
gloomy walls of the West End doomed up,
on the cliff, ended in the one Mrs. Rye had
designated, just this side of the curve in the
avenue.
NO one was in near vicinage, although
Harry saw several ladies promenading the
croquet lawn. Then ten, fifteen minutes he
waited in impatient eagerness, and then his
faith was rewarded by seeing her come down
the tagging from the West End, and cross
the avenue opposite the summer-house-tall,
slender, sylph-like in her trailing white dress,
and misty tulle veil wound so gracefully, so
artistically over her head and face, and around
her alabaster throat.
She paused slightly On the Threshold.
Harry sprang to meet her.
'Mrs. RyveP"
She bowed, a little nervously, and en-
tered.
''But can ever sufficiently thank you for
accedlng TO my request? If you knew how
impatient had been-how 1 have longed
for this hour-you would know how happy
you have made mep'
She did not make any reply, and Harry
saw how agitated she seemed.
In his heart he admired her the more for
it.
II am so anxious to hear your voice-to
see your face, that know you must be
matchlessly fair, 10 look in your eyes! Mrs.
Rye, will you allow me the great happi-
ness ?"
He touched her gossamer vail as if to I'M
wind it. She murmured faint assent, and,
elated with all the exquisite novelty and
romance of the situation, Harry tenderly re-
moved the mask.
"Now-face to face, most charming
good heavensr'
He dropped the tulle scarf as if an asp had
been lurking among the filmy folds.
A low, sweet laugh, that was suspiciously
Favored with not far distant tears.
SIT is really 1, Harry! I did so want to
know the terrible business that kept you so
much from home. Harry, think I'll join
the firm.'
Florence looked steadily at him, saucy, re-
proachful, hait-contemptuous.
Harry stood like petrifed stone for
minute, then remarkably sheepish express
sion crossed his countenance
$50 you are Mrs. Rye are YOU"
He tried to be magnificent, but failed per-
fectly; and then the tears came leaping from
Florence's eyes in silver cascades.
"Oh, Harry! to think that you never cared
for me any more than-than-to-"
There was his opportunity to get out of
this scrape; and he fitted himself most ad-
mirably therein.
''There, dear-don't cry! OF course it was
all a joke, that Mrs. Rye business. As if 1
didn't know you, the moment saw you, the
day came! Did you really think was in
you little rogue? Am not even
with you for coming to see what was about?
Don't cry, Florence! You know 1 do love
you dearly! Well go home tomorrow; and
be ever so nice and cosy won't we?''
And she believed him. The sweet, trust
ing, heart-sore little woman actually let him
comfort her, and took all the blame Of the
whole affair.
But, mind you, while Mr.. Harry Merle
congratuates himself on his cute getting-out-
ot-lt, he has vowed any number of VOWS never
to do so again.
BOARD.