The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-04-05

b Horace Freake, and Mir. Merton Murley all made up their minds to call upon Miss Lirripip upon the following evening, and to make her certain avowais, which, al- though they had long meditased them, they now felt impelled to make as soon as possible, and without any unnecessary delay. What these avowals were may be guessed but why the three gentlemen all determined al the same time 10 make them is a question which canno; be ex- plained, although the fact that Lydia that evening looked even prettier :han usual may possibly have been one of the causes of he extraordinary coincidence.
 Lydia little dreamed, when in the small hours the morning she dropped of to sleep, of what was hanging oyer her. Sir Fertinax had made no sign MT. Murley had not been more attentive than had for some time been his wont: and MT. Freake had been actually more dull and unin- ,eresting than Miss Lirripp had ever seer him. She. therefore, slept soundly, and was undis,urbed by fears ofthc com ing evening and it's visitors
 The following day was wet The gen. eral, who had livci for many years in India, and had liver which caused him to be somewhat irascible shut himself up IF his library and sayagely studied the statistics of caid-wa;er bathing and l Lydia, who could not go out, painted in her boadoir. The Lirripips dincd at half,p past tse. to enable the general 10 get t9 the meeting at half pas, seven and IS he hal taken no exercise during the day, and had been quite unable 10 master al! the information he required relative 10 the average Of cleanlint ss upon the continent, Lydia father was not in the bes, Of ,empers. Sit up for me-" he satd :. shall be in al halfpas. eleven. Those were his las, words. as the carriage having been announced. he hurried away from the table, stopping for 4n instant at Lydia side to kiss her hastily on the top of ihe head And Miss i-Hr 2ip WAS let alone in solitary grand eur, sitting at one end of the dining room. She cid no, stay there long. but went to the drawng-re0m, whilher she bade | servan; te bring two candles. which but dimly hghted the large apart ment. Then, taking her seat at the piano. l.ydIa began to play and sing al- ,eIna,ely4
 She had considerable knowledge of music and a fine voce. and wrapped up in her occupation. she started when the door of the front room opened and q ser want, who was 10 her invisible. announced MT. Horace Freake.
 Lydia arose and received her visitor meantime ordering the gas to be lighted II was half-past eight. Why had he called at that hour: Why had he no, come in the day time, while she was dull. rather than just when she was singing But upon the whole, she was glad to see Horace, who. nc doubt, simply desired 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, certain hesitation Tn his manner. she led the conversation. and asked him whether he had enjoyed l.sdy Carnabys ball He had. he said, pretty well and then ensued pause. during which Horace rather awkwafdly took a { seat by l-vdia's side on an ottoman and gazed at the carpet. Mir Freake was not altogether stupid. but even wits often be come rather dull when they are medi- tatng an immediate proposal: and the situation is so trying 10 every man who hnds himself m II, that 1t amply excuses the exhibition of little uncasiness and l nervousness. Mir. Freake certainly was nervous, but he soon recovered himself. 1
 Your father is at the meeting, sup pose. Don't you feel i, very dull all by yourself here. Miss L;rripip:n
 Oh no. have been singing; and 1 all day have been painting.
 " But dull. l mean without society. 1 l know that do; and have much more society, suspect, than you have. Un- less go out the evenings l find pass very slowly. canno, get the excitement of 1 work. for, ot course, one cant paint by | artificial light; and if try to read gen. eraliy 50 to sleep over my book
 think that you must be difficult, 10 please. NIT. Freake. You have lovely | studio, and you ought always to be able | to amuse yourself among such beautiful things as you have in your house"
 " No. don't think that am difficult | to please. Miss Lirripip, for know ex- actly wha, want. The fact is ,ha; a [ bachelor $ existence Is not suited for a l man oi my feelings and sympathies. l 1 live wrapped up in my selhshness, and | feel my heart growing colder and colder every day. l have beautiful things in l my house. but they don't satisfy me. | want living beauty something which | may really care for and do for-some- thing which shall make my life com- ple,e. And it was to talk to you about this, Miss Lirripip. that came to see you this evening"
 Lydia experienced curious sens ation which she had never felt before.
 You know, suppose Miss Lirripip." he continued. "what mean. You know | that since first saw you. three or four years ago, nave loved you" And i Horace took Lydia's unwilling hand. | ( an you, he went on, "learn 10 love me: Will you be my
 Ratatatsatata,tatta. There was knock 1 al the iron; door, and Lydia was greatly relieved.
 "is somebody coming up:' asked | Horace. anNiousiy. "Oh, so much i want 10 tell you all. Say you are no, in. i Send them away. But let me stay promiSe to let me stayr