New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-11-25

uonb;e who was fuil of INV going, tried several times
to start me as topic making sundry fents ~ vague
questions and observations about tine taWkes,
bnt she was regularly parried and dealt with by her
papa, who forced her to retire with conlIssiohi
until at last there seemed to dawn upon US all the
conviction that any. further references to my de-
parture would be In bad taste But, after dinner,
and when my uncle and had been sitting togethcr
short time, the window being open, spied sophie
outside, fitting about in the gloom was anxious
[ to have few words with her before gong so
| stepped on TO the lawn. ,
Sophie instantly began: When did you take the
| apartments, Jackf
This morning" replied.
| You told me you were going to look ut the city
docks: why didn't you explain your real motiyeT
| said she reproachfully.
Because" / answered, a wanted to make my
arrangements before speaking, so that might be
able to say it is too late when you all in your
great kindness should as knew you would, try to
persuade me to remain here"
not going to ReTSu9aSs EC Saa sn are mnc
less likely to see Florence than were you to stop
with u.s.
decency ought to go on burdening you with my
As long as ever you like" said she; you know
it is no burden We are delighted to have you"
"Yes but that does not render it the proper in
me to encroach on your kindness. Now, in lodgings
/ can take my time; can never be embarrassed by
the feeling that am trespassing Besides, shall
be as comfortable in Bristol as in London"
" But what do you mean to dol You can't call ON
Florence. DO You expect her to call on your
Il am full of expectation" replied; and whyf
because have you rs a friend, Sophie. can count
upon your. sympathy ! feel that can rely upon
his love for your beautiful your adorable friend"
seized her plump hand -anG indeed, boys, il was
lust the sort of night for sentimental twaddle;
warm dark the stars large and luminous, the at
mosphere breathess, the stiffness full of fragrance,
with now and again the notes Of a clarion tOngned
bird coming out of the deeper darkness where the
trees were--I seized her plump hand, tell you,
pressed and fOnded i, and she laughed low and
gratefully, laugh full of relish and satisfaction.
Upon my word when look back, 1t does not graf
fly my vanity to think that she not desperately
in love with me; for, in my thankfuness for her
sympathy and kindness, and with the image OF
Florence always in my minds eye, wonld talk 70
her so sentimentay, :caress her hand, sbrcathe in
her ear, and the like, that there would nave been
little TO wonder at had she come to the conclusion
that the other girl only an excuse, and that 1T
was she whom adOred: ~
SO far as Amelia and are concerned, we Will do
all that we can to help you, Jack" said she "But
understand: we can do nothing unless we discover
that Florence thinks of you and likes to hear of you
Well carry letters and messages between you as
often may be wanted, and l. for one, shall take
particular delight to do what can to put you in
the place young MIR. MOrecOmbe wants to fill and TO
thwart Mr. Hawke for | quite hate that old man
now. But if Florence is cold about you, if she
should not like to be reminded OF yOu, We shall BIO
unable to help; for you know, Jack, that men can
not make love byproxy, unless they happen TO DO
kings"
threshold. | don't ask you to make love to her for
me, but you might, hen you meet her"
81 shall meet her often, hope, and shall speak
to her AS often as meet, unless she is with her
father" interrupted Sophie.
IL say, no harm could come from your telling her
how devoted am, how deeply love h +, aud why
have left Clifton, and why cannot leave BRISTOL
"oh, certainly, Jack, can tell her that and
great deal more and if she is fond of you, shall not
be able to tell her too much, and you shall know
all ht vS she aYf be- eG S 20 or
lingering in lodgings in Bristol, or return here, or
go back to London"
And Sophie, my darling said l. "if you find
that she doesn't give my name the cold shoulder,
but, on the contrary Is pleased to hear you talk
about me- | suppose, to girl possessed Of your
cleverness, it would not be quite impossible to ar
range an accidental meeting-you know what l
mean--a chance encounter somewhere, where trees
are plentiful and people few-eh, sOphieT
"Oh, that's very easily managed" said she in n
voice of contempt that was like dram 10 my spir
it's If Florence is willing, there can be no limit to
what may be done =. It will entirely, depend upon
please bear that in mind" m
"When will you call upon mep
"TO-morTOw morning, just to see what sort OF
lodgings you have. You will please leave us your
address. And how often will you come to see US "
Very often. I'd. depend sE upon Ii It,; h n ros.
i've by wagging her foretnger at me-the starlight
and the Illumination from the lower windows rem
dered plainly visible TO each other" the Oftener
you como the ottener you are likely to meet Flor
ence without oblging us to invent any stratagems.
I9;morrow morning shall c write 70 Florence ana
acquaint her father with that fact, that he may
Withdraw his orders TO her to discontinue her visits
here. shall make my letter sarcastic, and ask her,
in a postscript, to read il to Mr.. Hawke"
was about to beg her to do nothing of the kind,
lest the old man should take II as new afront and
base further inunctions to his daughter upon t,
when my uncle, coming TO the window, bawlcd
out: Are there burglars yonder who's that mum,
mum, mumming theref Are the bees still abroad.
or has a sick strayed into these grounds to die
Sophie, is that you" She answered: " Yes"
Without any head gear ONT dye know the dew
falls like a thunder squalls Come in come in and
bring the melancholy Jackanapes with you"
This ended our confab, and half an hour after
ward stood in the hall, shaking hands all round,
and saving good night and go0d-by.
"Yon understand, Jack" said my uncle that
it's only a shift of premises; you're still guest
"A knife and fork will always be laid for you"
said my aunt, and your bedroom kept ready, SO
that We shall require no notice of your return"
You are very foolish to 60, Jack, but there's no
reasoning with meG." exclaimed Amelia; and
Sophie, as she squeezed my hand. mumbled Ill a
whisper that might count upon her..
"God bless you all, and than ks said l; and
lurching through the hal-door, gained the high