The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-07-31

| gent and thoughtless.n
| 81 am afraid So But l must not find
| fault with poor Bellamy-she is so good, SO
| fond of me.n
| Rev. Septimus smiled; who could help
| being good to so delightful, so charmingly
| frank a creature? She laughingly con-
| tinued: Papa was to have met me at the
! station, but he had telegram, and was
| obliged to go by an earlier train, but he
| will meet me at the next station. You can
| change the ticket at the next station, Bel
| lamy, or papa will see to it, Don't look so
| glum." The maid went away, and Miss
| Ada went on to Rev. Septimus: "Do you
| know, think you are friend OF papa's;
l think l have seen your photograph in one
4 of mammals albums.n
Indeed How very interesting. May
| | aSk-o
Papa, you know, is General" she hest
| tated as if conscious of the imprudence of
! being so communicative with a perfect
stranger, but then, as if inspired by trust,
| she added General Marine"
''Ah. Then have not the pleasure of be-
| ing acquainted with him personally. Yet
| think | know his name. Is he not mem
| Der of Parliament2"
Eyes, you are-O, I am sure l have
seen you somewhere, or else your photo
| graph"
| Il am" The rector drew his dressing
case from beneath one of his numerous
wraps, opened it, took out his card case,
| from which he extracted a card and handed
! to iSlovely fellow-passenger. She accepted
| it with smile, glancing with feminine
! curiosity at the dressing-case with its choice
and costly contents.
| Il am going to London for a friends
wedding "Ah, you are laughing. You
| gentlemen always say we girls never think
| of anything but weddings and getting mar
| ried, and all that kind of thing, y continued
| Miss Ada, in her lively, chatty way.
I'VE it is q matter to be looked at in a
| serious light" said Rev. Septimus, mix
| ture of rebuke and sympathy in his tones.
The reverend gentleman was pleasantly
aware that his voice was remarkably
melodlouS, and he did not at all dislike to
hear himself talk, especially to ladies, who
appreciate these nice points.
Il am in fright" Miss Ada went on,
because have papa's wedding present
here-it is so lovely. / almost wish | was
going to get married myself to have such
| a splendid present. 1t is a necklace. / must
show 1t to you, because you are so kind.
and although you are not really friend of
papas L hope you will let him thank YOU
Tor having taken care of me when we get
to the station. How long shall we be %
about twenty minutes now" said the
rector, consulting his gold watch-a gift
from his pensioners
'Thanks-so much. See - and the charm
ing young lady, in that frank, trustful way
evidently naturalto her. unfastened a small
morocco-leather bag which the rector had
not noticed, and produced from it an OBJ
long red-leather case. This she opened,
displaying superb diamond necklace.
Isn't it sweet-isn't it lovely?n she cried,
with the joyous delight of a child handling
new plaything, her eyes sparkling as
bright as the precious stones would scint til
late under cleaning lamps
The rector, to please her, took the case,
and looked at the necklace. He was no
nt g11pb flows N Or xyaS nf
rare value.
''You must be careful, my dear madam
he said, returning it to her There are so
many thieves about many of them crafty
and ,practiced in their evil trade and that
small bag does not look very safe''
so, nobody will imagine have it with
me, answered Miss Ada, laughing, care
leSsly replacing the case in her handbag.
And papa will be sure to meet me at Croft
ton-the next station, you know. l do so
wish you knew papa. | am sure you would
like one another so much And am quite
sure you would be delighted with mamma"
The rector laughed. 1t was pleasant to
have found favor in the eyes of so pretty
creature, even if she were slyly making fun
of him.
Il feel very highly gratifed," he said
with a benign smile. The lively prattle
helped to tighten the tedium of the jour
ney, even if it led to nothing. And some
times agreeable acquaintance are acct
dentally met with in the most unexpected
way. Nobody can ever truly prophesy
what may happen. This is an odd jumbed
world of change and surprises, even to those
who step softly over its smoothest places.
The amlable rector was not an imaginative
man, but many thoughts and fancieS
capered spertively through his brain at this
moment airy and nimble, perhaps, as but
tertlies Pickering through summer sunshine
or eltin sprites dancing idly in the moon
light.
You think me silly for chattering away
like this" cried Miss Ada. But | really
can't help thinking | must have heard of
you, or seen some portrait OF you some
where; you seem so like a friend-you
know what meant is so hard to explain
But no matter. They all laugh at me for
being so childish and SO babyish. As am
the only child, don't you see, have always
been spoiled"
Il can easily imagine that" replied tho
Rev. Septimus, with an air of delicate gal
lantry.
''Ah, you are laughing at me like all the
rest" half pouted Miss Ada.
Laughing! Dear, dear, DEAR" protested
the reverend gentleman
YES, absolutely. But would You mind
telling me the exact time, please? | forgot
to put on my watch, coming away in a
hurry" said the charming young lady. II
an so impatient to see my friend, my dear
Marie. We have so much to talk about
mo doubt" The mental picture con-
jured upon the minds camera of two beau
tiful girls eagerly chatting cooing ex-
changing condolences about their lovers,
their dresses, their toys and amnsementS,
was to a certain extent fascinating Wis
ion. However, he drew out his watch and
named the precise time.
II am rude enough to admire your
watch" exclaimed Miss Ada in her baby
fashion. The rector feared she was Just a
little addicted to flirting, but it is a pardon
able sin il not carried too far. He smiled
Yes" he responded. "a gift from my
parishioners."
''That shows how they appreciate youn
said Miss Ada with an upward glance
through her long eyelashes. ga valuable
gift am sure"
1T is. believe it is worth from sixty
to eighty guineas," said the rector with
pardonable pride in his air and tone.
May look at itl
Certainly" He detached it from the
chain and laid it on her little open palm
ut is very pretty" said Miss Ada, adj
miringly yet critically. at is so like one
Uncle Charles has-Sir Charles Champion.
Do you know him!''
81 am sorry to say do mott replied the
rector. eve shall be at the station now in
seven or eight minutes"
"What PITY mean l am so glad,n
said the young lady in little confusion
the prettiest blush conceivable dyeing her
cheeks for moment as she handed the
watch back to the reverend gentleman.
NOW, mind you, don't lose that she
I~.l al.a III. l.. a. l.