Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1878-10-12

the first two weeks OF our stay we
were perfectly happy, sight seeing
and love making. Then we began to
get acquainted with some Of the great
people of London, and were rather
annoyed than otherwise at the batch
of invitations to dinner and balls
which we received. But we entered
into the society Of the metropolis with
an eagerness which was somewhat
whetted by curiosity. The friendship
Of the American Minister opened oil
doors to our entrance, and Helen at
once became favorite with both la
dies and gentlemen, and I had no rea-
son 10 complain at my own reception.
Uncle Phil leaned his head upon
his hand az if he was collecting his
thoughts.
He heaved a sigh and pretended to
blow his nose, but plainly saw that
his handkerchief come in contact with
his eyes.
"Well, children, at a grand hall
given by q nobleman, whose name es-
capes me, Helen met a young scion of
a great faInily-tho Hon. Charles
Leish--who paid her much attention
She seemed we'll pleased to receive
his addresses but relaxed not jot in
her kindness to me. He took her to
the opera, to the parks, and to the
600, ard danced often with her at
the entertainments to which | gener-
ally escorted her. By some meanse
unknown to me-perhaps from care
less remark from Helen--he became
aware of our betrothal, and from that
moment his sole aim seemed to be to
win my dear girls heart from me. l
suspected this. PERHAPS my saspic-
ion had a coloring Of jealousy, but
a coolness had sprung up between
him and Inc, who had formerly been
! aool friends, aud Us I y,as tbs lover,
and had the hotter temper, could
net reply to some sarcastic hits he
would give me, except in way that
displayed my anger and which was,
therefore, devoid Of wit. On one OF
two occ sions | must have made q
great fool Of myself, and Helen was
| trou bled that | should show so much
feeling over what she declared to be
q harmless matter. But I told her
harshly that | was i'll ll-plesed with the
existing state of affairs, and that l
wished her 10 tell Mr.. Leigh that his
attentions were offensive. No girl Of
spirit would quietly permit such Ian
guage, even from lover, and we
then and there had our first quarrel,
during which Mr.. Leigh was announ-
ced. He entered the parlor, and was
received by Helen with more warmth
than usual, and by me with a cool
ness which l meant to be crushing,
but which, have no doubt pleased
him greatly
"IIe asked her to go to the Drury-
! Lane Theatre with him that evening,
and she gracefully declined on the
| plea with an engagement there with
me. But | told her in an undertone,
while he was looking at her album,
that | absolved her 'frcm the en-
gagement; and added half afraid to
speak the cruel words, from any 9TH
er engagement which is disagreeable
to you"
"The words had not left my mouth
before | could have torn my tongue
OFT for having given them utterance. y
VERY well, sir said she in a voice
trembling with grief and anger "all
engagements between US are disagree
able to me. They are now Cancelled" "
have reconsidered your invitation
and accept it. -
ooh, thank you" said he taking a
seat at her side. "Why, Mr. Elton
head" he asked rather exultingly as
l arose, mot going, hope?' But l
made no reply and slammed the door
like school-boy that needed whip
ping.
81 went to Drury-Lane that even
ing and never removed my eyes from
Helen from the time the curtain rose
until it fell. Mr., Leigh was more as
siduous than ever in his attentions to
her; but I could easily see that her
thoughts We're neither with him nor
with the play.
Upon arriyingo at our hotel I wrote
her note. | was still angry, though
more at myself than at her. THOUGHT
thai if had acted iadifferently to-
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