Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-12-11

sideration he decided on whiting to the object
OF his 1--we. He did nos appeal at first I'd her
father. al he should have done. because he
Thought it-and must own that agree VITA
him-b-,ter TO De sure OF the reception he was
kelly to receive from the young lady before
making htms II an object OF suspicion to her
father; and although he was pretty sure that
Mr.. Langton woulu nave no objection to him as
@ sutton for his daugh' eT, he judged it WiSeSG
to write direct 10 his lady-l0ve.
Now, this was his Gileinma-he was not sure
OF the young lady's name. and OF course II was
or The utmost Importance that the letter should
not rail into the wrong hands. Nc. LangCOn'S
eldest daughter was called Clarissa, his youngest
SOPHIE, While the object OF Philips devotion
was generally called Kittie. What was her
name? Katharine or Catherine, that was the
question.
Now, II he addressed his letter to Miss C.
Langsten," If he,' name was Katharine, her
sister Cla1ssa would naturally appropriate it.
IL he wrote Miss Katharine" il might De In
correct; he dared not put "Miss Ktttie," he was
rot sufficiently intImate for that, neither did
he Think IL respectful to put young lady's pei
name outside letter. 1t was trivial matter
perhaps, out IL gave our hero some anxious
thought and at last he deciGe1 on addressing
his proposal to Miss K. Langton," knowing
that no mistake could follow on that-"K." be-
ing the initial letter OF none OF the other
ladies'
Having decided this, the next point was the
litter Itself, and DR.. Hamilton FELT that this Was
almost Hercuean LABOR. A love-leLter Ia
those days, fair reader. was a very different
free and easy or afecuonate Or so-I-take-lt-
foI-granted- yOu'llhave-m An! no; In til jse
decorous days lovers approached their mistresses
with u loWly respect AID reyerent humility
which has gone out or fashion now, Chiefly
tell II not In Gath-jhruugh the fault or ladies'
themselves; and they addressed them. when
writing; as Philip did the second Miss LanStJn:
DEAR MADAM:
Sensible as l am Of my pre-
SUMPTION in addressing you, lind mysef at a
loss Tor words in which to depict the lveltness
II hNsT
me- and which conceived on my first slgut OF
your beauty and grace. ! am deeply aware of
my own unWOrthineS5 TO aspire TO the honor
OF your hand; but IL q most devoted and earnest
virtues, have any weight with you, you viii
pardon my presumption In their favor, and
grant me a favorable hearing. My whole life
viii be devoted to your happiness. sweet Mis-
treSo Langton, and Ia the nope or an early reply.
Il remain,
Your most devoted .
PHILIP HAMILTON"
Short as this episte Is. 1t cost our hero some
time and pains, and it was evening when he
summoned his servant and directed him to go
up 10 the Red House ana leave the letter, Oh
which Gepelded SO great part OF the happi-
ness OF his lie.
CHAPTER II.
Tue following afternoon, al about three By
the CLOCK, DR.. Philip Hamilton might have been
seen vending his way through the village, doNa
the lane Which led To the hill. On the top OF
Which stood the mansion which had the hap
plness and honor OF sheltering the lady OF his
neaTt.
1t was lovely day 10 early summer, and as
Philip stepped out towards the Red House he
felt as Ii he were treadiUg upon air, and as il
the lair country through watch he passed Were
clothed with new loneliness greater than IL
ha0 ever possessed before.
Philip was Lo poet; he had never had much
Tune 10 spare Tor general reading, and knew
nothing OF poetry. or he might have been In
citned 10 repeat The lines, which were true In
his case.
''Tc day-tc-1ay, whera'er pass,
glory lgnteGS through the grass:
glory weights the hover,
glory lies on the sAining grass,
glory crowns the FURNISHED flower.
To-day-to-day, wnereer / look,
Soft Taught erS dImple Ger the brook;
CLAD smiles break on the air,
Light laugh er k1nls DER the whipping brook,
And smiles shine out In the sunny air
Our doctor was IN gala attire--he had donned
his best suit, his finest Silken hose his snar(eSt
''shoon,' his brightest silver buckles ant his
heart under the fine laced waistcoau throbbed
Ioycusly: for had he not received a charming
little note, saying that the writer was wei
aware OF the feelings with which she had In
spired him. that she returned them FULLY, and
that she would receive him that arteruoon and
this delightful epistie, which was scented with
signed *. LangtOn."
Was it any wonder, gentle reader, that the
Doctor felt so light OF heart and foot, or that
he had never seen there on any previous occa-
sion?
Arriving at the Red House. little breathIess
Iom his rapid ascent OF The bill, he was shown
by the servant who admitted him into the draw
1ug-roOIn. which was empty, and where he sat
down 10 await the entrance OF his charmer with
the test patience he could summons.
Alter Il rev moments there was the rustling
OF SIX dress outside the door, which opened
TO admit MI Langton's Sister who advanced
With q smile and extended hand.
Now Ali noOpn she WAS NOT a pprcop no oxy
pectt q 10 see, common courtesy obliged Philip
To greer her ciYilly; and being IL that state OF
niha Wnen mans feelings prompt hun TO be
more than commonly courteous to the relatives
OF The beloved object, our mcdico not only
bo"td over the extended hand. but CALAMITY
pTtsse 90 IL 10 his lips. at which the agltated
SplLSter in0dt silly aytrt9d her face, ana sank
dOwH IL an affected attitude on a sofa
"a line day madam" suggested PAiHp.
Miss Lang'on looked surprised, but assented.
coughtd, tanned heraeit. and applied her SMELL
Ing salts TO her DoSIriis, betraying marks OF
emotion which Philip could not fail to notice.
are you not well, madam?' he inquired.
'Oh. thank you yes. am well but natrr-
ally little agitated," she answered, family.
Then looking al him with pair OF rather faded
S Sa s, sne AGED as she made room for him by
Philip looked what he felt-astonished but II
was not In his nature to be rude to anyone
farther end OF the sofa.
~ GU may come nearer, DOCTOR" said Miss
Langston, cOyly ayTtibg her head.
linen seeing he did not move she drew a little
his. '1''on VI
This little by-pIay was not lost upon the
tou1g surgeon I ana he could only attribute 1t
10 the TACT that she WAS anxious to ne on
friendly terms with one who shortly. as he
hoped, would become one OF the family Gianc
Ing at her Under his eyelasheS, Philip saw that
she was attired with more than her usual pre~
tence or JuEeniity, and wore dress or lust rons
pale blue Six, cut low, and With short sleeves
as the fashion then VAS, edged With lace. while
In her eiainrately dressed hair We're blue rib
| blns.
no you Ike my dress" she said. with IN
ahectatioA Of childish simplicity, which would
have amused Philip, II 1t mad not alarmed HIM
Ut Is charInlng,' Ec answered CALAMITY
Il thought you would think so, edging closer
to his SiGe. Il chose your favorlte color, you
| see." she added, with q killing glance, which
had the effect of causing Philip 10 lose al his
presence OF mind.
MADAM" he Stammcred, you are too good.
Upon rny word y0U-you are too good
How could Be too good to YOU" she said
laLgutshingly. ''Tell me-Pnlipn-Sle pro-
nounced his name with the most benitching
hesitation and blu5h!ng glance at him-''did
the note you received this morning please
you?"
MADAM, SAID he doctor, breathing little
more freely, ''it made me the happlesC OF
IneH."
7