The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-05-31

ment Of the youthful Tommy during the
sermon--a practice probably considered
more 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
each Sunday.
One morning Owen lost his way hope
lessly in the labyrinths Of the hymn book.
AZ he was struggling to recover himself
a pretty hand in shabby glove-Louise's
hand-held toward him book with the
place marked by scrapof paper. Owen
was uncomfortably conscious Of blushing
as he accepted the offered civility; but it
was 70 more than charming TO be noticed,
even in the most commonplace way, by
her.
The bit Of paper between the pages
was folded in two. He idly pressed 1t
apart with his thumb, and TO his aston
| ishment read these words, evidently writ
| ten in furtive haste: look, tomorrow,
in my uncles hat lining when he comes
| TO the office"
This appeared, indeed, like the begin
ming of q most interesting adventure, and
the overture made by a girl whom he
feared ignored his very existencet How
he sat quietly through the sermon, and
passed the rest of the day and night until
| old Cruncher appeared at his usual post
next morning. Owen never knew. When
he saw his patron deeply absorbed In
pile of letters. Owen, like a coat and 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 : 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 begins' l.. l.
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
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 lie was beginning to
despair of Lonise's coming she appeared,
breat Hess and greatly agitated.
What must you think of me, " she
began, making an appointment with
YOU, almost stranger, at dusk, III this
theatrical manner
'I'ra sure the motive for all your ac-
tons is good, replied Owen, CALAMITY.
Il have u strong motive III this case,
certainly" continued Louise. IL wish
to ask your advice or matter Of the ut
most importance to ME. have STUDIED
your face as much as l dared in church,
Owens heart gave bound of delight.
Then she had looked at and thought
about him land / think can trust
sou, and call you my friend. / have no
other
She looked so lovely with the tears in
her eyes, as she said this, that Owen
Ionced 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 Z bright smile for a moment
dispelling the melancholy clouding her
face. Last February, now nearly four
months ago, was travelling alone from
here to Glover Hill on All eIrand for my
aunt. Ny companions in the compart-
ment were a very pretty old lady an
ordinary looking gentleman OF about five
and-forty, and younger man, not at ali
ordinary looking. He had large black
ewes with a wild look in them. and his
dress and manners were quite different
from those Of the people / was accus-
toned to seeing. He sat opposite me, and
soon after the train started began staring
at me in most annoying way.
The impairment rascal! How wish
had been there TO punch his head!' 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 a great deal Of misery to me.
He amused himself for some time with
casting what supposed were admiring
glances at me, pressing his hands to his
heart and signing profoundly. Then sud-
denly. to my utter amazement. he threw
himself on his knees before me, declared,
in very bad English, that he loved Inc to
distraction, and, most startling of alt,
tore off his very handsome watch and
chain and flung them into my lap.
The man was mad, Of course"
Yes; we learned of this for fact
afterward | looked at our travelling
companion the middle aged man already
mentioned-in helpless fright He
started up, and, with what | then
thought admirable presence of mind, ex-
claimed, angrily, How dare you insult
my wife, sir!'
This strong language had the desired
IL - elNrtt. L.