The Press., 1885-01-22

h spell, trampin round the kentry, till one fine mornin' the little one turns up missin'. I guess I kin find her. Leastways I'm goin' to try, and when do, you'll see me again. Good day, square. And closing the door he was gone.
 "Philip," said MT. Armitage, some weeks later, "Who was that young lady you were riding with last evening don't think I ever saw her before, did ?"
 Perhaps not" replied Philip, careless ly, "It was Miss Hartley, relative of the St. Johns, believe"
 "Ah, where is she from ?'' asked his father,
 Really, I never inquired from the north, somewhere, I believe" replied Philip.
 "Have you known her great while '" was the next query.
 Yes, some little time. I met her last summer, with the Coltons, while we were ut the Meadows.'
 'Ah, we'll. Deuced handsome girl. The name sounds familiar, too. Wonder where 1 have heard it before !' said MT. Armit- age, musingly as Philip made no reply.
 CHAPTER SECOND.
 Mrs. St. J Ohn's parlors were always pleasant, and on this evening they had an added charm, in the person of her lovely young niece, Georgia Hartley, whose very presence gave zest to the entertainment, which, in all his society life, Philip Armit- age had rarely seen equalled.
 Philip, as rule, was very knight of chivalry. No wallhowers were neglected, when he was present. But on this even- ing, he was sadly negligent of his self-;m- posed duties in this respect, devoting him self so assiduously to the belle of the even- ing, that it needed no very wise prophet to foretell what would follow. And even Georgia, herself, was scarcely surprised when resting for a moment from the heat and fatigue of dancing, Philip said "Miss Hartley, though our acquaintance, reckoned by years, has been short, yet in that time have learned to love you so we'll, that 1t seems to me l must have known you, metaphysically, all my life. You are the one woman i'll the world, to whom my heart has ever acknowledged allegiance, and the only one whom could ask in all sincerity, Georgia, will you be my wife ?"
 If he had not been so terribly in earnest, 1 Georgia would have smiled, but one look iuto his face convincel her that there was no trihing there, and after moments pause she said.
 "Mr. Armitage, appreciate the honor of your requst. But do you not forget, how nearly strangers we are, and how little you really know of me, or of my family? l supposed lawyers were as a rule over eau. tious, but you do not seem to profit by the example of your fellow craftsmen, in this respect.
 His face was almost drawn as he replied
 "Miss Hartley, do not trihe with ma. cannot think there is need of caution, and If there IS, the lawyer Is merged with the lover, and my faith in you is so great that I ask no greater boon than to hear you say, Philip, I love you Will you not believe me, Georgia, and let me try to win your love ln return"
 Georgia was silent moment, ere she said
 "Mr. Armitage, cannot give yeu the answer you wish, to- night. There art others to be consulted, and some matters to be discussed, ere such step is decided upon. And though cannot promise any thing at this time, yet, if you will call to- marrow evening, I shall be better prt pared to answer you"
 'Thank you, Georgia, I shall come. But warn you, shall plead my cause with all the eloquence of winch am mas ter," said Philip, earnestly.
 s'You shall be both lawyer and jnuge, J replied Georgia, in the same spirit, 'though am not sure that the sentence will not be punishment"
 The next evening, when Philip called at Mrs. St. Johns residence, he was shown into the rear parlor, where Mrs. St. John, alone, waited to receive him. After a few moments desultory conversation he eu- quired for Miss Hartley, when Mrs. St. John said
 "Mr. Armitage, am requested by Miss Hartley to speak with you in regard to a conversation you held with her, last even- ing And in order to speak understand ingly, would like you to tell me what your intentions are, regarding her."
 "Mrs St. John, my intentions are per fectly honorable, and I have asked your niece, Miss Hartley, to be my wife. '' re- piled Philip.
 ''And would your intentions remain the same if she were not my neice If in fact she had no relatives, but stood alone, with out recommendation, except her own per- sonal worth ?' asked Mrs. St. John, gravely.
 "Just the same, Mrs. St. John. l have ings, and as long as she is what believe HUI tO OOs ! S0AO HUI lOI lu0 dCClueuu Ol birth or fortune, replied Philip, quickly.
 'I believe you," said Mrs. St. John, 'and will tell you all that we know con corning her. One summer, a number of years ago, was in Saratoga, nearly the whole season. And very often used to see forlorns looking woman on the street, having in charge two little girls. Many times saw them, surrounded by a crowd of people, and at such times almost in- voluntarily stopped to listen to the mus ical notes, which ros clear as birds from the throat of the little singer, while the other child collected the pennies which were usually freely given.
 'sOne morning saw the little singer alone, and being very much interested in her, spoke to her, and soon gaining her confidence, she told me her pitiful little story"
 '.It seems that her parents were dead, and that the woman who had her in charge was her fathers second wife. The little one had natural talent for music, which was used for tue support of the whole, though much of what was received was spent by the woman for drink, until at last, for some misdemeanor she was taken in, charge and committed to prison, taking her own child with her, thus leaving Georgia to care for herself
 ''It was about this time that my brother and his wife lost their only daughter,