The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-09-07

me ~ ~
As the fair face was upturned TO
mine, with its tempting lips awaiting
the kiss, pressed my shawl down
from my mouth suddenly, and as sud
denly felt my head drawn down to re.
ceive the most delicious kiss that ever
was bestowed by maiden.
"You need not wait the door is
open, and there stands Carrie, bless
herr said my companion, as she trip
ped up the steps, while stood irreso-
lutte beside the brougham
"Then, my dear fellow" / mentally
calculated, sit is time you were off"
And, seating myself in the brougham
once more, | was again driven off, but
whittier knew not only knew
that had lost charming companion,
whose lips moment since were press
ed against my own, aud whom, in all
probability, might never meet again.
And when recalled her generous
offer, her sympathy for the poor lame
girl aud her self-accusing spirit, so un-
like that of my acquaintance in gener-
al, / longed to know more of her.
Then, again, my cheeks tingled when
remembered the deception l had
practiced. And what would she think
of me when she ascertained-as she
most certainly would, sooner or later
the truth
My speculations were, however, cut
short by the abrupt stoppage of the
brougham, whereupon I stepped out
leisurely, picking up from the bottom
ot the carriage as l did 80, an eY-
quisitely embroidered handkerchief.
Upon looking at it closely, l perceived
the initials sc. W." in one Of the COR
ners. / was reminded of my situation
at that moment by the drivers inauir-
ing ''if Mr.. Ralph would want him any
more o,night !" SO I merely shook my
head, and without vouchsafing a word
OF explanation, turned away from
him and walked home ward.
Evidently / bore very strong re-
semblance to Mr.. Ralph, whoever he
was. When his own sister and the
servant were deceived by the resem-
blance, IL must certainly be very great.
True, my cap was drawn down firmly,
almost concealing my eyes, and the
ower part of my face was muffled up
in heavy shawl, still, taking every
thing into consideration, / said to my
self, the similarity of dress, feature and
manner must be wonderful thus to de-
ceive ones relatives.
1t was late spring, and the frosts
in May cut off most Of the fruit round
London. The night was in that COM
municative mood termed chipping"
! and remembering that walk of four
| miles lay between me and the Albany,
l walked forward briskly, revolving in
my mind the different aspects of my
adventure, as they presented them
selves, one after another, and resolving
to keep my own counsel. had walk
ed perhaps mile when l observed
gentleman approaching at walk as
rapid as my own. As he drew nearer
l was struck with his resemblance to
me-height, size, manner and dress,
even to the wrap around his neck, and
the buttons upon his coat were the
exact counterpart of my own. l think
the resemblance must have struck him
at the same time, tor, as we were pass
ing each other, we involuntarily paus-
ed, scanning each other closely and
curlously, then strode on. 'Mr.
Ralph" | said to myself, as l turned
to look at him. Singularly enough,
Mr.. Ralph was at that moment looking
at me but the Instant he was detect
ed he wheeled around and resumed his
walk. Ere l reached my chambers I
resolved to ascertain, if it was possible,
who the person was who dwelt in the
large house on the Common, and who
had arrived from the Crimea so recent
y, that / might thereby assure myself
to whom was indebted for delic-
ious kiss, and whose acquaintance
was very desrous of making.
Early upon the following morning,
| sat down and wrote few lines to
Miss Lucy Walters, the lame girl, and
inclosing three ten pound notes, sealed
the letter, and depositing it in my
pocket, sailed forth in quest of the in
formation ! so much desired. Wend-
ing my way TO friends chambers, /
encountered young articled clerk,
who was at that moment entering the
door.
"George," said !, affecting care
less manner ~ wish to ask you
question !" and then inquired if he
was acquainted with the neighborhood
in which had been on the previous
evening.
"Yes, sir, very WE'LL" he replied.
"Can you tell me who lives in the
large house with the two eagles on the
gate posts, on the left-hand side of the
Common The house stands back from
the road"
"Oh, you mean Mr.. Wright's," said
he shut it's more than four miles ont
there, sir"
"How far is it o. ! asked.
"About four miles and a-half; may
be no more"
"rhank you. That is all / want"
replied, as l passed into the house,
where addressed my note to "Miss
Lucy Walters, care of Miss G.
Wright" then sauntering out slowly,
| called the lad to me.
"By the way, George said !, 81
have letter to deliver out there. Do
you think you could do it for meH If
you would call cab--any way that you
could get there soon; and when you
deliver it, don't stay moment. l
don't care about having you question
ed"
He was a shrewd Lad, and as he listened
to me, ! knew by the expression of his
face that he guessed my motive.
"fou don't want them TO know
where it came from, if you can help
it?" said he,
."You understand me, see," said /.
"Well, ! can manage it for you, Mr..
Clark, said the lad. "My Uncle
Dean lives out there" Is. ~.
SIS MIR. Dean your unclef" l in
quired, hastily, l.Fa iIt9r
eyes, sir" he replied. o, go -
VIhere ia n lame. a,iylI liviof,s NTH