The Portland daily press., 1882-01-21
TUE PRESS.
[Belgravia.l
How / Married Him.
The oonfessioa of Young Lady.
Edited By TVilkie Collins. J
CHAPTER 1.

the Dead Cities of England-situated on the
south coast and called Sandwich.
Shall / describe Sandwich? think not.
Let us own the truth: descriptions OF pla-
ces, however nicely they may be written,
are always more or less dull. Being wom-
an naturally hate dizziness. Perhaps some
description of Sandwich may drop out, as it
were. from my report of our conversation
when we first met as strangers in the street.
He began irritably. 'Pve lost myself"
he said.
"Most strangers to the town do that"
remarked.
He went on: (which is my way to the
Fleur de Lys Inn~
His way was, in the first place, to retrace
his steps. Then to turn to the left. Then
to 60 on until he found two streets meeting.
Then to take the street on the right. Then
TO look out for the second running ON the
left. Then to follow the turning until he
smelt stables-and there was the inn. l put
IL in the clearest manner, and never STUN
bled over word.
"How the devil am l to remember all
that?'' he said.
This was rude. We are, naturally and
properly, indignant with any man who is
rude to us. But whether we turn our backs
on him in contempt, or whether we are mer-
ciful and give him lesson in politeness, de-
ponds entirely on the man. He may be a
bear. but he may also have his redeeming
qualities. This man had edeeming quail
ties. cannot positively say whether he was
either handsome or ugly, young or old, well
or addressed. But can speak with GER
tainty to the personal attractions which rec
commended him to notice. For instance,
the tone of his voice was rich and persuasive.
ibid you ever read story written by one of
-. Oh fos lad 10 O,c
voice?l Then, again, his hair was reasona-
bly, long. tAre you acquainted with any
woman who can endure a man with a
cropped head?) Moreover, he was of good
height. 1t must be very tall woman who
can feel favorably inclined toward short
man, Lastly, although his eyes were not
more than fairly presentahle in form and
color. the wretch had in some unaccountable
manner become possessed of beautiful eye
lashes. They were even better eyelashes
than mine. write quite seriously. There
Is one woman who is above the common
weakness of vanity-and she holds the pres
ent pen.
So gave my lost stranger lesson in po-
likeness. This lesson took the form of a
trap. / asked if he would like me to show
him the way to the inn. He was still an
moved at losing himself. As had antici-
pated, be bluntly answered eyes"
"When you were boy, and you wanted
something said, did your mother teach
you to say 'Please'?'
He positively blushed. s'She did," he ad-
mitted; sand she taught me to say Beg
your pardon when was rude. I'll say it
now: Beg your PARDON"
This curious apology increased my belief
In his redeeming qualities. led the way to
the inn. He followed me in silence. No
,d.tra 81
ience when she is in the company of man.
l made him talk.
"Do you come to us from Ramsgate?"
began. He only nodded his head. "We
don't think much of Ramsgate here"
went on. "Not even two hundred years
old and hasn't got mayor and corpora
tionp'
This point of view seemed to be new to
him. He made no attempt to dispute it; he
only looked round him, and said, "Sand-
wich is a melancholy place, Miss. he was
so rapidly improving in politeness that en-
couraged him. by smile. AS citizen of
Sandwich, may say that we take it as a
compliment when we are told that our town
is a melancholy place. And why not? Mel
ancholy is connected with dignity. And
dignity is associated with age. And we are
old. teach my pupils logic, among other
things-there is specimen. Whatever
may be said to the contrary, women can
reason. They can also wander, and must
admit that am wandering. Did mention
at starting that / was governess? If not,
that allusion to pupils must have come in
rather abruptly. Let me make my excuses,
and return to my lost stranger.
sis there any such thing as a straight
street in all Sandwich he asked.
s'Not one straight street in the whole
town."
eAny trade, Miss?'
CAS- little as possible-and that is expir-
ing"
IA decayed place, in short"
Thoroughly decayed."
Ny tUne seemed to astonish him. "You
speak as If you we're proud of it's being de-
cayed place. he said.
I quite respected him; this was such an
Intelligent remark to make. We do enjoy
our decay; il is our chief distinction. Pro-
gress and prosperity everywhere else; decay
and dissolution here. ''That man is little to
be envied" doctor Johnson) who can lose
himself in our labyrinthine streets, and not
feel that he has reached the welcome limits
of progress, and found haven of rest in an
age of hurry.
l am wandering again. Bear with the un-
premeditated enthusiasm of citizen who
only attained years of discretion at her last
birthday. We shall soon have done with
Sand sich; we are close.to the door of the
inn.
"You can't mistake it now, sir" said.
Good morning."
He looked down at me from under his
beautiful eyelashes (have I mentioned that
/ am little woman?), and he asked in his
persuasive tones, ''Must we say goodbye"
made him bow.
"Would you allow me to see you safe
homer he suggested.
ANY other man would have offended me-
This man blushed like boy, and looked at
the pavement instead of looking at me. By
this time ] had made up my mind about
him. He was not only gentleman beyond
all doubt, but shy gentleman as well. His
bluntness and his odd remarks were, as /
thought, partly efforts to disguise his shy
ness, and partly refugees in which he tried to
forget his own sense of it. l answered his
audacious proposal amiably and pleasantly.
you would only lose your way again." /
said, "and should have to take you back
TO the inn second time"
He turned round in bewildered way to-
ward the inn.
81 have ordered lunch here" he said,
land am quite alone" He turned my
way again, and looked as if he rather ex-
pected me to box his ears. 81 shall be forty
next birthday" he went on; 81 am old
enough to be your father" / all but burst
out laughing, and stepped across the street,
on my way home. He followed me. "We
might invite the landlady to join u.s." he
Iaid, looking the picture of a headong man,
by the consciousness of his own
mprudence. Couldn't you honor me by
unching with me if we had the landlady?'
be asked.
This was little too much. "Quite out
Of the question, strand you ought to know
T." I said with severity. He half put out
ais hand. won't you even shake hands
With me?" he inquired piteously. When we
have most properly administered reproof
% a man, what is the perversity which
makes US weakly pity him the minute after
yard? / was fool enough TO shake hands
With this perfect stranger. And having
lone it, completed the total loss of my
iignity by running away. Our dear little
crooked streets hid me from him directly.
AS rang at the door-bell of my employ
sr's house, thought occurred to me which
might have been alarming to better regu-
lated mind than mine.
Suppose he should come back to Sand
Eich?'
CHAPTER II.
Before many days passed I had troubles
,f my ewn to contend with, which put the
eccentric stranger out of my head for the
lime.
Unfortunately my troubles are part of my
md aQrfsr 20