The Dickinson press., 1883-11-17

1t was half-past 8. Why had he called
at that hour? Why had he not come in
the daytime, while she was SO dull,
rather than just when she was singing?
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
betrayed, nevertheless, a Ger.
tain hesitation in his name
she led the conversation. and asked him
whether he had enjoyed Lady Carna-
by's ball. He had, he said, pretty we'll;
and then ensued a pause. during which
Horace rather awkwardly took a seat at
Lydia's side on an ottoman and gazed at
the carpet. Nj. Freake was not alto
gether stupid, but even wits often be-
come rather dull when they are med
itating an immediate proposal; and the
situation is so trying to almost every
man who finds himself in it, that it am
plv excuses the exhibition of a little un-
e%asiness and nervousness. MI. Freake
certainly was nervous, but he soon re-
covered himself.
"Your father is at the meeting,
suppose. Don't you feel it very
dull al. by yourself here, Miss Lirri-
pip?"
"Oh no! l have been singing; and all
day l haye been painting"
society, l suspect, than you have. I'm
less 1 60 out, tthe evenings, 1 find, pass
very slowly. l cannot get the excite
ment Of work, for, of course, one can't
paint by artificial light; and if 1 try to
read | generally go to sleep over my
work."
81 think that you must be difficult to
please, Mr.. Freake. You have a lovely
studio, and you ought always to be able
to amuse youraelf among such beautiful
things as you have in your hou se."
ono! 1 don't think that l am difficult
to please, Miss Lirripip, for l know ex-
actly,what l want. The fact is, that a
bachelors %existance is:not suited for q
nan of my feelings and sympathies. /
live wrapped up in my selishness, and
feel my heart growing colder and colder
every day. I have beautiful things in
my house, but they don't satisfy me. l
want living beauty-something which l
may really care for-something which
shall make my life complete. And it
was to talk to you about this, Miss Lir-
rripip that came to e you this even
ing"
Lydia experienced a curious sensation
which she had never felt before.
you know, l suppose, Miss Llrrip;p,'
he continued, "what | mean. You know
that since l first saw you, three or four
years ago, 1 have loved you" And Hor-
ace took Lydia's unwilling hand. "Can
YOU" be went on. "learn to love me?
Will you be my"
Ratatattatattattat! There was a knock
at the front door, and lydia was greatly
relieved.
''Is some one coming up?" asked Hor-
ace anxiously. "Oh, l so much want to
tell you all. Say you are not in. Send
them away. But let me stay. Promise
to let me stay"
A voice, evidently Mr.. Merton MUIR
ley's,, was now audible from below, the
drawing-room windows icing open and
the voice being lond.
cit is Mr.. MurIey," said Lydia. 81 ex-
pect that he only wants me to give some
not detain me But if I let yol stay, you
been talking. MI. Freake!"
At this moment there were footsteps
on the staircase, and Horace, without
another word, fad incontinently into
the hack drawing-room and rapidly
drew the curtains behind him SO as to
conceal himself from the newcomer,
who Immediately afterward was an
nounced.
Mr.. Murley was not so nervous as Mr..
Freake had been upon his first appear
ance. He shook hands with Lydia in
an easy and light-hearteu manner, paid
her an airy compliment, seated himself
comfortably opposite her, and, without
many preliminaries. revealed the object
of his visit. II know that your father
is out, Miss Lirripip," he said, "and
may as we'll confess at once that I have
deliberately taken advantage of his ab-
sense to come and see you upon a sub
ject which nearly concerns my happi-
ness. should have spoken about it last
night but that I could not command
your attenti. III save for a few moments
at a time. Now, however, we are safe
from interruption"
"But Mr.. Murley," said Lydia, SIT
would be SO much better if you would
call whea my father is in"
con, that is not important. my dear
Miss Lirripin. 1t is a subject that may
be settled by you Alone"
PLEASE, Mr.. Murley, do not tell me
about it now" pleaded Lydia. "The
windows are open, you know, and there
are servants about the house, aud"
Observation-Disclosures!
This time Horace, as we'll as Lydia,
was greatly relieved; but MI. MurIeY
row." he said hastily.
thankful for an opportunity of getting
rid of him GGooj.bvo Mr. M,rlou
POO + e!'Ns and 31e' same ser Servant nauF WY;
showed up Sir Pertinax Popiojay showed
down Mr.. Merton Murley, who glared
at the Baronet with a look that spoke
volumes.
"My dear LYDIA" said Sir Pertinax as
he offered both his hands to Miss Lirri.
pip, "you were really charming las.
night. l never saw such a perfect slyph
in my life, and many people agreed
with me. You are the belle of the room.
There is no doubt about it."
"Im sure it is very good O fyou. Sill
Pertinax. to say So" returned Lydia'
"But 1 thought that the countess her
SELF"
ooh, the countess! She and you can.
not be mentioned together, nv dear,
Everyone said so. And besides, the
countess of course. is married. She has
met her fate. Ha, ba! But you-you
are still my dear Miss Lydia. I may be
a fool, but, upon my honor, l have come
here this evening with the Determined
intention of asking you whether yor
will have me. You know l worship the
very ground you stand on" And, to
Lydia's great CONSERVATION, the old gen.
tleman, ere she could prevent him. gal
lantly knelt at her feet and took hel
hand. with the evident intantion NJ
pre- ssing it to his lips.
"Do get up, please, Sir Pert;nax," sale
Miss Lirripip, forgetting for a momen'