The morning call., 1891-03-12
CHAPTER II.
THE SAD STORY OF PHILIP sEAGR

THE SAD STORY OF PHILIP SEAGRAVE.
l was born in the south Of Ireland aud
at an early sge my family moved TO the me-
tropOlis, Dublin, where my father opened a
large dry--oods establishment. When was
Is l entered the counting-house of prom
inent wholesale house on Dame street. As
far as mathematics aud foreign languages
were concerned, my education had not been
neglected, for L had gone through n full
course ut Trinity College, and in less than
two years | was advanced to tie position Of
head book-keeper, ut salary OF ESQ year.
One OF my assistants, who was attending
an evening shorthand class, presided over
by well-knOwn professor, prevailed upon
me to take up the study, and shortly after
being promoted to the position Of head book
keeper l resolved 70 try my luck as a
stenographer. The class was carried on at
the private residence of the professor on
Lower Gardener street, and was limited to
twenty-five pupils. For the first two weeks
| was rather discouraged, although While at
Trinity had managed to pull through with
my Latin aud Greek without any trouble,
but | suppose the mere fact of tackling a
science, at that time but little sought after,
somewhat nonpluSSed me however, 1t did
not take me very long to become coDYerSant
with the cOnsonants and vowelS, and when
| found that could already begin TO CORE
spond in photography my ambition urged
ne on and l thirSTed for a thorough knowl-
edge of the winged art.
One Monday.eVeDing, about two months
after l first joined the class, the professor
ushered in a new pupil, who to our sur
prise was young lady. This was quite an
innovation, as the professor was never
known before to have admitted ladies to his
evening classes, and the new arrival must
have felt considerably embarrassed when
she beheld twenty-four pairs OF wondering
eyes riveted on her. She was introduced as
Miss Rebecca Springer and the professor al
lotted her a seat next to mine. She was 4
little woman, slightly below the average
height and not what one would call hand
some, but her eyes! My God, Jack, how
beautiful. They were brown and large.
and from the first moment their glance met
mine was infatuated with their owner.
Her hair was jet black aud her general air
bespoke maidenly coyness.
Well, to cut a long story short, she con-
tinued to attend the class regularly, and in
the course of few months she showed a
decided preference for me over the rest Of
the students. Whenever any stumbling
block was arrived at, If the professor was
busy she always referred 10 me for informa-
ton that would help her to solve the
enigma. During the DAY she was employed
in the dry-gOo1s house Of Arnott 81 Go, on
Henry street, and it was owing to this fact
that she found it necessary to study in the
evening. She resided with her father,
mother and two sisters in fine old house at
Clontarf, one OF the suburbs. The grounds
surrounding her home we're thickly studded
with huge trees, whose foliage formed ex-
tensiVe canOpies, which made the house ap-
pear as IL 1t was located in the middle of n
forest. l had fallen into the habit of seeing
her home every evening after the class was
dismissed, and 1t suddenly began to dawn
upon me that / was growing to love my
little classmate. Yes, JACK, l was slowly
but surely becoming madly in love with her.
Well, our friendship continued and in due
course became a constant visitor at her
home. Every Sunday found me there, and
Oh Saturday evenings we usually took a
walk along the seash0re as far as Dolly
mount, q summer resort little further on
than Clontarf. Many and many time we
sat on the rocks at Dollymount, and in the
bright moonlight watched the majestic
waves roll in upon the sand at our feet.
One balmy July evening as we sat thus
my passion grew so intense that could not
resist the temptation of clasping her in my
arms and imprinting n warm kiss upon her
pretty little lips. She did not resist so
strongly as | had anticipated, and hope be-
gan to dawn within my breast. Perhaps,
after all, l thought to myself, she likes me
much better than she pretends to, and our
friendship may yet develop into something
more sweet and sacred.
"RebeccaW l inyoluntarily exclaimed
''my darling, my life. may L hope%
She understood and asked for no explana-
ton. | was half mad with Joy. Gladly
would have given up my life for her sake