The Portland daily press., 1881-04-18

relief after the wearing suspense of the
last few months
We were an unusually small party round
the saloon table; the fair sex were conspc-
cuous by their absence, and the captain,
Jovial little man named Rudd, and l, though
Tor no apparent reason, constituted ourselAes
friendly trio. We used to assemble in the
captains cabin after it grew dark, and re-
fresh ourselves with grog and cigars. OF
many interesting conversations I will recall
one, as of importance to the calculation of
my tale, and showing how fate does give
strange throws to the dice occasionally.
Il have lost carpet bag" said the cap
tain, with an air of veXation. cts queer
thing to have aboard a ship; but it was
handy, and can't think what have done
with it."
Anything valuable inside?"
Nothing much-a letter or two l don't
care to lose. But where can it have gone?
1t must have been taken by somebody; and
yet can't think that either.'
Talking of lost property" said the little
fat man, ''my brother-in-law has been pretty
well ruined by such loss as yours. Some
where in England he took some FOOLS port
manteau by mistake for his own, which con-
tanned old diplomatic papers of great value
to their owner, my brothers employer. 1t
was foolish thing to carry papers in that
way; but he was going on Christmas visit,
and took his work with him.
"Was his name George Potter?"
''By Jove! Yes, it is George Potter! How
on earth do you know, Thornton?"
81 have the papers and the valise."
"You!' cried Rudd, springing up with
great excitement and laying violent hands
on my collar.
Quietly, FRIEND" | answered, shaking off
his grasp and then / related the story, not
fOrpatfinr n Low N tho OF of
my repeatedly advertising
II don't understand that at all. George
advertised too, but somewhat foolishly, and
only for the papers, as they were of most
value. Well, Mr.. Thornton, you can stand
and deliver when we arrive at Liverpool; he
will be there to meet me-"
l need hardly say that after that evening
our friendship ripened wonderfully. The
good little man was excited and joyful be-
yond measure in the anticipation of his
brothers release from the cloud that had
hung over him for nearly two years, and
wonld have insisted upon taking possession
of the precious valise had not represented
that it was then peacefully reposing in Mr..
Harry Jenkins's lumber closet at the Wren's
Nest, Rem.
When we landed at Liverpool, after bid
ding half-regretful farewell to the city of
Dublin, we made directly for the hotel
l. w
The energetic Rudd hardly waited to shake
hands before he shouted the whole story in
to the bewildered ears of his brother-in-law,
always petrifying that worthy with amsze-
ment.
In the evening we three sat over a roaring
English fire, two of us ''the happiest people
in the world" Alas, save only in the con
sicousness of pleasure conferred, felt in no
way comforted for the loss of my first love-
my Isabel!
1t appeared that the lost papers were val
liable only to an antiquarian; and to such
one, dabbler in bygone political schemes
and Vaccinations, George Potter had been
for years a confidential friend and secretary.
The loss of the papers, obtained by much
intriguing and heart-burning, had led to
breach in their friendship, and to a final
parting, with unkind words on the one side
and regret and sorrowful anxiety on the
other.
cit was strange about the advertise
ments,' said Mr.. Rudd, Every strange so far
as you were concerned, brother. Can you
recall the wording of yours, Mr.. Thorn
ton?"
thought could, and wrote it down pref
ty accurately. George Potter read the pa
per, and exclaimed
Il see! was not going to Wharton-nev-
er heard OF such place. Why did you put
tldO uOWu, 3uIs
'You asked me, as 1 remember, what the
porter said, and repeated it-'Change here
for Wharton and, as you Immediately got
out, l concluded naturally enough that you
were going there"
"My destination was Norman, but the
names were sufficiently alike to account for
your misapprehension of them. Imagine
slight mistake doing such terrible mis-
chiefr'
ri 7
cumstances required wildly to my mind,
''that before you came in changed my seat
to the one opposite, and must have left my
portmanteau where had been sitting pre-
viously. 1t was strange coincidence,
though"
A stranger and happier one was waiting
to unfold itself, but knew it not. l sank
into reverie by the Preside, recalling Incl
dent by incident of the past happy summer,
while my two friends conversed on home
news, believing me to be asleep.
"Ah," thought, Chow we'll remember
those blissful walks by the st. John-those
long evening walks! Shall ever again be SO
blessed-ever again look into the soft ewes
and press. the hand of my Bell?'
"Bellp' said George Potter.
| started. He was not addressing me,
He was evidently continuing strain of
conversation.
D6ll9 vi, yes, she Will De blGr6 OF
course; and Mcdonald, toop'
"Whatp'' cried. Where? Oh, saw that
again! Bell and Mr.. Mcdonald? 1t must
be the same! Where is she? Oh, tell me,
Mr.: Potter, if only for the sake of the SER
vice have rendered you tonight
Both of my companions regarded me with
an astonished and somewhat suspicious air.
Then Mr.. Potter answered rather coldly-
"There is some slight mistake again sir.
The young lady am speaking of has lately
arrived with her uncle, Mr.. Mcdonald, from
Prince Edward Island. My brother-in-law
here is her guardian"
literally gasped. Was ever any thing so
dreamlike, so fortunate? A heavy load was
lifted from my Breast and to make my hap
piness complete, l learned that Bell was evil
IDENTIFY still constant to me, and that, as |
told my story, had two not only deeply in
terested but very sympathetic auditors.
had now very little difficulty in proving
my position in the eyes of Mr.. Rudd; and
one week after my arrival iu England was
again in the presence of Mr.. Mcdonald,
though with somewhat different sensations
from those which had kept me company in
the inhospitable drawing-room of the Elm
house.
"Sir," said Mr.. Rudd to the redoubtable
Scotchman, "permit me to present you to
my very good friend, Robert Thornton"
Never was man more thoroughly taken
aback than he when Bells guardian pre-
sented me 10 Bells uncle. For worlds I
would not have missed seeing his start of
amazement or enjoying his modification at
his previous mistake. 1t was my turn to
assume the high and mighty now had I
chosen; but was far too eager to see my
darling Bell to do more than to shake warm
ly the proffered hand and accept CRATE
fully his half-satirical congratulations.
found Bell as sweet and pretty as ever,
but pale and thin; the separation had told
even on my little bird. But all past suffer-
ing was now forgotten, or served only to
heighten the present joy.
made clear to both uncle and guardian
that my future was bright one, SO far as
appearances and probabilities went: and