The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1883-10-18

bsds servAnl bring two csDdies. which
bu, dimiy lighted the large apartment
Thea, taking her seat a, ,hcopiano, Lydia
began 10 sing and 10 play alternssely
The drawing room At Bruion street was
like many other London drawing Rooms
II occupied tho whole OF the arst floor OF
the house. save where in one corner The
staircase sscended, and IL vas therefore l.
shaped. the longer arm Of the j. having
three windows looking out into the street
and the shorter arm one window looking
out over some news in the rear. Heavy
curtains Of tapestry hung hetwesn the
back and fron. portions Of the room. but
we're usually looped up. and Ia the back
room was the piano. at which, within the
halo OF the Two candles, Lydn hrripip
played aud sang.
She had considerable knowledge oi mu.
SIC. aud fine voice snd wrapped up in
her occupation. she started when the door
OF the front room opened and servant
who was TO her invisible. announced Mr..
Horace Freate.
lydia rose aud received her visitor.
meantime ordering the gas to be lighted.
1t was bali past eight. Why had be
called at that hourY Why had he not
come in the daytime. while she was so
dull, rather than just when she was sing
ing? But, upon the whole, she was glad
to see Horace, who. no doubt, simply de-
sired to inquire how she was after the
dance OF the previous evening. and had
not been able TO do so earlier As he be-
trayed, nevertheless, certain hesitation
in his manner, she led the conversation
and asked him whether he had enjoyed
Lady Carnaby's ball He had. he said,
pretty well; and then ensued q pause.
during which Horace rather awkwsrdly
took a seat at Lydas side on an ottoman,
and gazed at the carpet. Mr.. Freake was
not altogether stupid, but even wits often
become rather dull when they are medi
tating an immediate proposal and the stu
alton is SO trying to almost every man who
finds himself in it that it amply excuses
the exhibition OF little uneasiness and
nervousness. Mr.. Freake certainly was
nervous, but he soon recovered himself.
Your father Is at the meeting, ! suppose.
Don't you feel it rather dull all here by
yourself. Miss Lirripip?
oh no; have been singing; andall day
| have been painting
But dull mean. without society?
know that do: and ! have much more
society, suspect. than you do. Unless !
20 ont. the evenings, ! find. pass very
slowly. cannot get the excitement ol
work, for, OF course, one cannot paint by
artificial light. and II try to read gen
orally go to sleep over my book.
think that you must be difficult to
please, Mr. Freake. You have o lovely
studio, and you ought always to be able
to amuse yourself smong such beautiful
things as you have in your house.
Not don't think that ] am dillicult to
please. Miss Lnripip, for know exactly
what want. The fact is. that bachel
or's existence is not suited for man OF my
feelings and sympathies 1 live wrapped
M in nv seIfishness, aud feel my hear
growing colder and colder every day.
have beautiful things in my house, bu
they don't satisfy me. | want living
beauty something which l may really
care for and do for something which
shall make my life complete. And it wa
to talk to you about this, Miss Lirripip
that l came to see youth evening.
Lydia experienced curious sensation
which she had never felt before.
You know. suppose, Miss Lirripip. h
continued, what mean. You know tha
since l first saw you three or four year
ago have loved you. And Horace tool
lLydia's unwilling hand. Can you, h
vent on, learn to love me? Will you b
IVY
Rattatattatattatl There was knock a
the front door and Lydia was greatly re
liev ed.
Is somebody coming upf asked Horace
anxi, ,nsly. Oh, so much want to tel
you all. Say you are not in. Send then
away. But let me stay. Promise to lie
me stay.
A voice. evidently Mr.. Merton Murley s
was now hoard from below, the Windows
OF the drawing room being open and th'
voice being lond.
1t is Mr.. Muley. said Lydia eIpec
that he only wants me to give some mes
sage for him to my father. He will no
detain me. But il let you stay. yol
must not talk any more as you have beei
talking, Mr.. Freske.
At this moment there we're footsteps OF
the staircase and Horace without another
word fed incontinenily into the bacl
drawing room and rapidly drew the cur
tains behind him, SO as to conceal himsel
from the new conner. who Immediately al
forwards was announced.
Mr.. Murley was not so nervous as Mr.
Freake had been upon his first appearance
He shook hands with Lydia IN an easy ant
light. t.hearted manner, paid her an air,
omplment, seated himself opposite her
and, without many preliminaries revealed
the object OF his visit. j know that you
father is ont. Miss Lirripip. he said, ant
| may as we'll confess at once that hav'
deliberately taken advantages oi his alb
sence 10 come and see you upon sublec
which nearly concerusmy happiness.
should have spoken to you about II las
night bat tia. could not command you
attention save for few moment sata time
Nnw hoxevay We are saf. from iuterrup