, 1888-06-10

he had observed that It was Louise's
habit, sanctioned by the elders Of the
family, to draw pictures for the amuse-
ment of the youthful Tommy during the
sermon-a practice probably considered
moro beneficial to the young gentleman
than slumber. Neither Tommy's parents
nor the Abigail took the least interest in
these works of art, and they were quietly
inspected and destroyed by Tommy only
ZACH Sunday.
One morning Owen lost his way hope
lessly in the labyrinths of the hymn book.
As he was struggling to recover himself
a pretty hand in a shabby glove-Louise's
hand-held toward him a book with the
place marked by a scrapof paper. Owen
was uncomfortably conscious of blushing
as he accepted the offered civility; but 1t
was so more than charming to be noticed,
ever In the most commonplace way, by
her.
The bit of paper between the pages
was folded in two. he idly pressed it
apart with his thumb, and to his aston
ishment read these words, evidently writ
ten in furtive haste: Look, tomorrow,
in my uncle's hat lining when he comes
to the office"
This appeared, indeed, like the begin
ming Of a most interesting adventure, and
the overture made by a girl whom he
feared ignored his very existencel How
he sat quietly through the sermon, and
passed the rest of the day and night until
old Cruncher appeared at his sua post
next morning, Owen never knew. When
he saw his patron deeply absorbed in q
pile of letters, Owen, like a coat n UNI
brella thief, stole out into the passage
where such articles were deposited, and
possessed himself of the old gentleman's
sedate looking hat.
There, as he expected, he found slowed
away in the lining a tiny little note.
With trembling fingers the now hopeful
lover laid smooth the complicated folds
Of the paper and read:
Please do not think me forward or presuming
In making the following request: / am in great
trouble. Tomorrow evening at 7 / shall not be
missed for half an hour. VIII you meet me at
the end of the lane leading past our house-where
the wood beginsf LII
For the first time since the young
mans arrival at the office Mr.. Cruncher
had occasion TO complain of his inaccu-
racy and inattention in his work. The
head Of the establishment was, however,
guarded in his reproof, for Stanley was n
valuable assistant, In the main, and
seemed content with astonishingly little
pay.
The following evening Owen was at
the place Of rendezvous fully half an
hour too soon. AS he was beginning to
despair of Louise's coming she appeared,
breathless and greatly agitated.
"What must you think of me-" she
began, ''making an appointment with
you, almost n stranger, at dusk, In this
theatrical manner"
''I'm sure the motive for all your 40
lions is good" replied Owen, calamity.
81 nave a strong motive in this case,
certainly, continued Louise. 81 wish
TO ask your advice on q matter of the ut
most importance to me-. / have studied
your face as much MS l dared in church,
Owens heart gave q bound of delight.
Then she had looked at. and thought
about himl-''and 1 think / can trust
you, and call you my friend. have no
other"
She looked so lovely with the tears in
her eyes, as she said this, that Owen
longed to take her in his arms and kiss
her, instead of declaring himself her de-
voted servant in plain words.
''Let us sit down on this fallen tree
and / will begin my story at the begin
ming. You men of the law are impatient
of unnecessary preamble" Louise went
on, with a bright smile for q moment
dispelling the melancholy clouding her
face. Last February, now nearly four
months ago, 1 was travelling alone from
here to Clover Hill on an GRAND for my
aunt. My companions in the compart-
ment were a very pretty old lady, an
ordinary looking gentleman of aboutflv "
and-forty, and a younger man, not at all
ordinary looking. He had large black
eyes, with a wild look in them, and his
dress and manners were quite different
from those of the people I was accus-
toned to seeing. He sat opposite me, and
o after the train started began staring
at me in q most annoying way"
1.-THE impertinent rascal How / wish
l had been there to punch his headp' ex-
claimed Owen, with warmth.
'He perhaps did nothing to merit quite
such severe punishment; but he was GER
tainly then, and has been since, indirectly
the cause of n great deal of misery to me.
He amused himself for some time with
casting what l supposed were admiring
Chances at me, pressing his hands to Ids
heart aud signing profoundly. Then sud
denly, 10 my utter amazement, he threw
himself on his knees before me, declared,
In very bad English, that he loved me tc
distraction, and, most startling Of all,
tore Off his very handsome watch ant
chain and flung them into my lap"
"The man was mad, of course"
eyes; we learned Of this for n fac
nfterward. ! looked at u travelling
comprehensive middle aged man alread.
mentioned-in helpless fright. IL
started up, and, with what I thel
thought admirable presence of mind, ex
claimed, angrily, How dare you insul
my wife, sir2'
This strong language he'd the desiret
effect, and the man seemed to shrinl
into himself and become quiet as a lamb
l suppose believing me to be the wife o
somebody else shattered his hopes"
Here again the rare, sweet smile len
a new charm to Louise'sface.
Try as / might" she continued, 'r
could not prevail upon him to take bacl
his watch, and Mt the next station tn,
gentleman who called me his wife CAV
my admirer, with his watch, into tn
hands of a policeman, as mad. Tha
was the last we ever saw of him, but W