The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-04-14

VIII promise couditionally,- land we must see
II we like each other as well at the end oil
the week."
Onslow looked very much as if he would
have liked to kiss Pegs fair cheeks, not to
say her pretty lips, but he kissed the soft
hands lying in his instead, and considered
himself martyr.
wont you take my arm, Peg" he whis-
pered, as they resumed they walk, you
know you have right to it now"
Peg took his arm, and then broke into a
hearty laugh.
u cannot help it," she said, presently,
apoogetically, to Onslow, 'the position is so
ludicr0us this morning l had never seen
you, and this evening am engaged to you.
You have plunged head foremost into love
making; you never even went through the
ceremony of asking permission to call me BY
my Christian name, but called me by my
nickname directly you spoke to me-"
81 thought you were my cousin at first !"
muttered Onslow; "and then every one
called you Peg"
'But you couldn't marry any one named
Peg, SAID, the young lady herself, mimick-
ing cleverly Onslow's voice and manner F..
you couldn't hang your hat up therep'
Peg and Harry! Peg and Harryv' cried
one Of the girls voices. "W'here are YOU
both? Supper will be ready directly, and
Willie Ashford and his friends have gone"
~Here we are" said Onslow, as he turned
Peg still holding his arm-down a path
that brought them straight into the midst of
the party.
MAY tell them, Peg?' said Onslow, in a
low voice, 10 Peg.
Peg nodded; and Emily, who had heard
his remark, exclaimed, in an ecstacy of
amusement
''Peg, what have you baen doings what
is he going to tell us ?''
1.-The fact is" said Onslow, somewhat
awkwardly, ."the fact is that we are en-
gagged"
This was enough for the girls, who went
oil into such peals and shrieks of.laughter
that It might have seemed to the casual OBJ
server, had there been one on the spot, that
the whole household were in violent hyster-
les. Mr.. and Mrs. Latimer looked rather
grave, however, and while Emily was still
apparently in commissions, Mr.. Latimer said,
dry VIZ. :. u.,, ,,
slow?"
"Of course it is as sudden as it possibly
could be-" said Onslow, "but have ex-
planned it all to Peg"
You see, UNCLE" said Peg, and Onslow
did not feel quite sure even then that she
was not laughing at him. she would be yery
OF courtshp with me, but he is so terribly
pressed for time; he has to sail for India in
less than three weeks, and he is bound to
take wife with him; so you must acknowl-
edge That he hau not much leisure to waste
in prelimnaries."
Harry, you never told me you were 60
ing to India" said his aunt, reproachfully.
why, you see, it is as Peg said," Onslow
replied; II was so pressed for time in the
matter OF finding wife, that forgot every-
thing else. However, Pegs been very kind
to me, and If you let me stay here for few
days before leave England, I am sure Peg
and shall manage to suit each other and
you won't regret it."
."Well, WELL" murmured Mr.. Latimer,
"the world has come to strange pass ev-
erything is done at railroad speed. But
marriage Is serious thing, and you know
the ola saying. Still, it is Pegs affair, and if
she feels Confident and happy, that is all
ask. However, let's come in to supper, I
suppose you are not hungry, Onslow9"
Indeed, l am" exclaimed Onslow; cal
most as hungry"
''As Peg!' put in Peg herself
Mr. Latlmer looked from one to the other
with deprecating expression on his kind
face, and then led the way into supper,
About fortnight later, Harry Onslow
Droke In upon Mr.. Walters in the city, saw
ing
"Well, Walters, thought would let YOU
know that you were outwltted, that I am
provided with the little item that was beyond
your resources, and that Mrs. Onslow sails
with me on tuesday,
Mr.. Walters bowed profoundly, and sincere
~ hoped that they might never regret.
And they never did.