The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-03-05

many others have described the beauti-
full island to need any word of mine to
echo its praises; and there are few who
have not seen the fairy-like isle for them
selves; but must say, as we first be-
held it on that bright autumn day, with
the sun glinting upon its pretty houses,
and lighting up the green of its verdure,
while the sky and clouds were reflected
on the water, lending it their violet and
azure shades, blended and softened, and
the white sails of the yachts skinned
butterfly like upon its surface, thought
! had never seen anything more softly
lovely. One felt as though it were a
sort of dreamland, from which it would
be terrible to awake to life's stern reali
ties; and think Ida felt it so, too, for
she was silent, and her eyes had far-ofi
look In them, as if she were seeing Wis.,
ions which were hid from others. Yes;
certainly that holiday of mine was one
of the happiest periods of my life! l
shall never, never forget it. do not
know how it came about; but somehow
found l had told Ida of my love. 1t
must have been owing to the beauty Of
the scene surely, and her own lowell
ness; for though [ had loved her from
that first night when her dear lips had
met mine, never intended to have let
her know my secret, fearing so greatly
to lose all while grasping at more. But
had done it in q moment of unrestrain-
able feeling and agitation, and how glad
am dbl for, poor match as am for
her, my Ida gave me all her dear love
when asked for it; and, indeed, she
/ lndn Sad Oh
that it had been mine before / asked it
at all. ...
What Ida wished every one wished !;
so Mr.. and Mrs. Bayley were kind and
good to me. But of course they felt
they must not let me have her without a
little tantalization; so we were to wait
till Christmas before we were to be
considered actually engaged, as our
acquaintance had been so short a
one. 1t only made me love her
the more to have my happiness re-
tarded; and L looked forward to
that Christmas-day as have never done
before, and never shall do again.
1t came at last, and my darling was
ready to fly into the arms that were
eagerly stretched to clasp her. And be-
fore | had half made up my mind to
release her the door suddenly opened,
and, looking quickly round, was never
so astonished in my life; for 1 saw my
shadow-no, not shadow, for that is life
less, but what appeared to be my very
Seg-walking across the room. Ida
stood by with a smile to watch the meet
ing, and we two men gazed steadily at
one another, and then burst into un-
comfortable fits of laughter. a. IS.
cit is absurd!" we both remarked,
in a breath.
And so it was, for even our voices
were similar. @ .-, ''. fl.
Edward Bayley and I became great
friends; and many a trick have we
played successfully in consequence of
our strange likeness to each other-a
fact have never ceased to be thankful
for, for did it not gain me my wifeP
Ida says she does not think we are so
much alike as we were; but having
been some years married she, doubtless,
knows my face as others do not, and
has found out in it beauties for herself
which are invisible to other eyes, and
which none but hers would have dis.
covered TTnsley's Magazine. ...t