The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-07-24

thing mean? Had Mrs. Braceglrdie
heard something-false, of course, and
uttered by some other base admirer OF
her daughter-which had made her
take this cruel step2 1t was impossi-
bic to guess. 1t was impossible to
knock again and ask; it was ridiculous
to stand staring at the door. He turn
ed to descend the steps and walked
down the street.
Before he had gone half way he met
a hated rival, a very fine fellow, whom
he had only begun to hate in the last
three or four days, since he had noticed
that Miss Bracegirdle sometimes gave
him very charming and encouraging
glances. Captain Fortescue walked on
slowly and listened for the confident
rat-a-tat-tat of his rival. He heard il,
listened and looked back. The door
opened and the visitor instantly al
mitted.
The unhappy man who had been
turned away from that same entrance,
sighed heavily and went away down
the sunny street, hanging his head
He told himself that it would he only
fool or a mailman who could pretend
to misunderstood so plain refusal as
this. Perhaps it was meant kindly. he
thought. and groaned at the thought.
Miss Bracegirdle was no coquette, and
did not care to have men offer her their
love when she had no intention of ac-
cepting it. He was so desperately
enamored of her that he busted himself
In trying to see this cruel cut as kind
deel. His hopes were gone; but he
could not bear so suddenly to lose his
idol. He determined he would not
worry her by his unwelcome presence
where she could not easily avoid him,
nor permit himself to be laughed at by
his successful rival. So he excused
himself from certain engagements at
houses where he knew he should meet
her. He gave up dancing and took to
cards instead.
Mamma" said Miss Bracegirdle on,
day, doesn't it seem odd that for three
weeks Capt. Fortescue has not called 2"
Mt does" said Mrs. Bracegirdle; "and
yet, when 1 come to think Of it, we
have not met him out anywhere, eithef.
He must be i'll, or more likely he has
gone out of town lie will call when
he comes back"
This she said, noting that her daugh-
ter looked little pale and out of sorts.
But, secretly, she was uneasy herself.
Capt. Fortescue | ad shown signs of
being so hot wooer that it seemed
very improbable he would leave town
without word to them. At the next
opportunity she quietly made some in
quiries about him, and learned that
Capt. Fortescue was neither ill nor out
of town. This was bad news, indeed;
for Mrs. Bracegirdle knew perfectly
well that her daughters heart was
seriously touched; and, as Capt. For.
tescue was perfectly eligible" all had
promised fairly. Now that fair prom
Use was destroyed. There was nothing
to be done, except try, by other dis
fractions, to erase th impression which
Captain ForLescue had made. Mrs.
Bracegirdle devoted herself to her
daughter more tenderly than ever, and
the girl understood her.
Amid all the gayety and the many
engagements which came with every
day, there was melancholy about the
house which had never been there
before 1t was impossible for them to
Danish it altogether. Even Master
Harry, a cheerful youth of IA, became
aware of it at las, and declared his
sister was not "half as jolly as she used
to be" One day when his mother and
sister were taking quiet half hour
before dressing for dinner, he came into
the room carrying an umbrella.
II say, mother, this umbrellas been
in the stand for month. The fellow
it belonged to has forgotten all about
it, expect; don't You think might
have it?"
Isn't it yours?' said Mrs. Brace
girdle. II gave you a silver-handled
one last year."
"Oh, l lost that long ago" replied
thu youth coolly, "and 1 may as well
have this instead. It's like mine, but
ever so much more sweller. There's a
name engraved on it; but could have
that scratched out"
Let me see the name," said Mrs.
Bracegirdle. She took it and read
"Fortescue."
An odd look came over her face.
She said nothing for moment, but
seemed plunged in thought; then she
rose and went down stairs to the din
ing room. She rang the bell, and the
stern-eyed maid appeared.
Eliza" she said, "can you remember
the appearance of that young man who
came one day and asked for an UNI
brella? lie came twice, think you
said, and asked for me the second
time. Will you describe him if you
can ?'
"Iie was quite gentleman to look
at, MA am" said Eliza; "but this sort
mostly are. Talla broad-shouldered,
and military looking, with blue eyes,
very short fair hair, and long, heavy.