The Press., 1890-09-18

 tropically hot, but bright and glorious, reminding me of Honolulu or Levaka more than of muggy Englandl After lunch we padded gently down through Hambledon Lock to Medenham, by which time the Bolds had developed strange if not original views as to shandy- gaf. We strolled about the abbey and made much fun of it's bogus character; had 8 game of romps with the pretty children of mine host of the Terry hotel, and then rowed on to Harley Lock, which was then in 8 disgraceful state of disrepair. The Bolds went of to pay 8 flying visit to some friends of theirs who lived at the Mill house, close to the lock. While the water was running of, Mary Bruce, who was in charge of the hitcher aft, allowed the boat to come too close to the sill, and suddenly the stern was lodged on the top of broken pile.
 In ten seconds the boat would have been overturned and we should have been shot into the lock. But Mary re- tained her presence of mind. With a vigorous shove of the hitcher she pushed the stern of the boat of the pile, and by the greatest good luck we avoided what must have been most serious catastro- phe. Even as 1t was we got athwart the lock and nearly came to grief This episode has been thus particularly re- ferred to because it was the one that settled me. I made up my mind as we rowed down to Bisham after exploring the backwater at Harleyford and the tumblng bay at New Lock that would that day ask Mary to be my wife. That she liked me felt sure, but whether her liking had developed into love, whether she would entertain my proposal, or whether my proposal would entertain her. I knew not. But was fully re- solved to put the matter to the proof; I would risk it if could get the opportu- nifty to do SO, and opportunities can be manufactured.
 We landed at Bisham to look at the church and inspect the fine old monu- ments of the libby family and others for which Bisham is celebrated. Then I proposed that the Bolds should scull Mrs. Macfarlane, who was tired, down to Mar low, while took the girls through the Quarry woods to the point and back over the meadows to Marlow. L'homme pro pose. He does, indeedl I, for example, proposed to ask Miss Bruce to be my wife, and that was the only proposition that came off. Whether Mary had given the Macfarlane girls hint. or whether those young ladies (how hated themD acted of their own voliton, do not know, but they were impets; or. rather, taking into consideration their lanky and f1accid structure, they were barnacles. They stuck to us with the pertinacity of ungorged and unsated leeches, and gave us no chance of moments uninterrupt- ed talk until at length they landed us at the Complete Angler. Fortunately the dinner was good one, or the faculty for making myself unpleasant would have been abundantly exercised. My devices were not as yet exhausted.
 After dinner persuaded the Macfar- lanes and the Bolds to go up the town to see the house where Shelley lived and where he was visited by Byron. Mary had once before made 8 pilgrimage to that shrine and so had I. Mrs. Macfar- lanes views inclined more to forty winks than to poetical associations. and she at last fell asleep in her armchair. Mary and sat on the lawn for some minutes and watched the passing boats. Neither of us seemed to have any remarks to of fer. Finally, asked her whether she would cross the road few yards only and inspect MT. Borque's garden. She consented, with some difldence.
 s'It isn't right to leave auntie," she said. What will she say if she wakes up and finds that we are goneT
 I felt inclined to say, "Oh, bothe, auntie" Instead of that exclaimed that five or six minutes would serve te walk round the garden, so that our ab sence would not be likely to be discov. cred. We crossed the road and entered the inclosure.
 When 8 man does thing for the first time in his life he is apt to be awkward about 1t. For the life of me I did not know how to begin. was as nervous as recruit under fire for the first time my heart thumped away as if it didn't like the business and was anxious tc get out and away. What did possess. ed at all events the charm of unconven. tionality.
 grasped Mary's hand suddenly, and before she had time to utter 8 word said, looking her straight in the face:
 Mary, will you give me kisss''
 She blushed violently; she returned my point blank look and what she saw in my eyes apparently satisfied her, fol in moment was hugging her to my breast and sealing our troth with { loving kiss.
 How happy I wasl Happy? I felt as if heaven itself had been opened to me. And she?
 Charlie" she said q had hated ths name before, but how sweet 1t sounded now), Charlie, my darling-I never thought you-do you really love me9'
 One more hss-the last I got for man, 8 long and weary day-and we went bacl to the hotel. The others had not returned Mrs. Macfarlane was just awake.
 ''I should like some tea, Mary" sht said.
 Teal Ambrosia-nectar-was more il my way. could scarcely realize tha' Mary cared for me. But I was happy beyond measure. As to the future what was to come of it all-a fico for thu futurel How we got back to town have no recollection. A four horse coach, perhaps, or 8 balloon was our ve hicle. All know is that Mary was sit ting opposite me, her blessed eyes eve, and anon meeting mine and giving me assurance of love. The Bolds and saw them off, at last, in Mrs. Macfarlane'l carriage, and then we returned to the Temple. I must have been very incohe