The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-02-13

~e~S S1ASA3 VI hsAS UA4001UN8nCS 0bS8 E0y1> lis, expressed himself in such happy lan- guage, blew his own trumpet in such a pleasant unassuming manner, declared his devotion in such fervid phrases, in fact, put matters before the old lady in such an attractive light, that she was completely won over.
 "Of course, Mir. GFeysark," she said in reply, "as am only the girls aunt, l have DO direct authority in the matter. But if Phyllis regards your suit as favor- ably as do, can only recommend that you should address letter to her father ID London, state the case as you have stated it to me, aad abide by his deci- sion"
 But it is an extraordinary phase of our acquaintance" said the merchant, that do not know your niece's surname yet"
 Perhaps the old lady was struck by the strangeness of this avowal, but at any rate she hesitated a moment, seemed a little confused, and then replied: "Her name is Fleming, Mir. Greysark a letter addressed to Mir. Robert Fleming and given to me will insure its safe despatch. |"
 Bat would it not be better for me to call upon MT. Fleming myself1' said G'eysark- My business experience has aught me that one personal interview is worth dozen letters"
 "So 1t is, as general rule, MT. Grey sark, replied the old lady. But Mir Flemiug's movements are so uncertain, his buisness taking him so frequently away from home, that the course have suggested would, think, be better"
 And after s little general conversation. MT. Greysark took his leave, resolved that he would without delay formally propose to Phyllis, and if her answer should be favorable, as he had not the slightest reason to doubt it would be, in- dite his letter to Mir Fleming.
 Accordingly next morning, upon arri- val at London bridge, instead of handing Phyllis into Mansion House omnibus,
 usual, he insisted that she should walk there with him. And by the time King Williams statue was reached he had poured out his soul to her, and received her ready assent to his proposal, condi. tioDal upon the approval of her father.
 One or two little circumstances con- nected with bis visit to Regency square on the previous day struck Jonathan Greyssrk as being curious as he sat in his room at the flee playing lis lessly with the heap Of unopened letters before him. Of course he had observed the old lady's hesitation in giving the name of Fleming; and her suggestion that the letter should be forwarded through her instead of to direct address was rather unusual. Perhaps Fleming was strange sort of man under a cloud or of eccen- tric habits. At any rate Phyllis was a lady, as was her aunt; the surroundings of the rooms in Regency square showed refinement, if not opulence; and, ai- though money with wife was no object with him, he preferred that the lady hon. ored by his choice should not be an utter stranger to the style of life to which as Mrs Greysark she would be introduced But his ardent affection for the simple minded, bright faced girl overcame what ever little shades of doubt or scruple the above strange circumstances mig ht have awakened within him, and, after having hurriedly perused his business letters, he called MT. Penn in, gave him instructions to show nobody into the private room for an hour, and settled himself down to indite the ep,stle to MT Fleming. Alter much destruction of bes, cream-laid note, he produced the follow ing:
 HEAR SIR: It is with no little diff dence that ] address one who is a com plete stranger to me upon subject of such importance as that which now oc- cupies my pen but am sure judge you rightly when think that you will p p.rdon the liberty am taking by the time you arrive at the end of the letter
 (" In short, 1 wish to obtain your con sent to my marriage with your charming daughter, Phyllis As this is to some extent matter of business, I may inform you that 1 made the young lady's ac quaintance in the Brighton train, by which we have been fellow passengers for several weeks past; that then ob- tained not only her consent to my pro. posal, but the entire appreciation of her aunt, upon whom had the pleasure Of calling, with your daug ghter's permission
 For your satisfaction l may add that, although am not very young man, am in the full vigor of health and strength that am the sole and respon- sible head of one of the best-known and most respected business houses in the city of London and that am in posi- tion, which you may verify, il you please. by the most minute einvestigation, to m ain- tain your daughter in a 6tung position as lady.
 "The entire happiness of my life, and dare add that of your daughter s, rests upon your decision as to whether she shoud be my wife or not, and implere you not to be influenced by the some. what peculiar circumstances under which our meeting took place, and our ccnse- quent acquaintance and intimacy were formed.
 of you will kindly take week to con- sider this. to me, vital question. l shall be inexpressibly obliged and thanking you heartily in advance for the sanction which feel certain you will accord. I am, my dear sir. your very obedieut serv- ant, JONATHAN CREYSARK
 Having read tnis t~o or three tunes