The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-11-02

w AOtbiA OAAOASA
space and read their own or the future
of others. Hence it is the occasion for
divining the answer to that momentous
question which absorbs SO large share
of the thoughts of romantic young men
and maidens, "Whoan am to marry"
Naturally such an occasion is not de-
void of romance, and Halloween rarely
recurs without reminding me of story
that was related to party of friends a
few years ago while homeward bound
across the Atlantic. The center of the
group was handsome matron, and
promenading the deck was beautiful
young girl of twenty, accompanied by
two gentlemen. Pointing to them the
old lady proudly said: One of those
to America with his English bride; the
other is her brother, who is making
visit to our country for the first time.
If you don't mind listening to a bit of
romance it may while away a pleasant
half hour, and I'll tall it to you as it
was told to me. This mother of my
new daughter when III child resided in
one Of the most beautiful parts Of Eng
land. Her parents we're wealthy and
all that heart could wish was at her
command. Adjoining their estate was
that of Squire Henry Percival, whose
only son, Guy, was pledged almost from
birth as the husband of the young heir
ess, the two mothers having been school
mates and the two children having been
born on the same day. They thus grew
up together, with tastes in common, and
together enjoyed all the sports of young
people.
And now began the strange series of
incidents that were narrated to me
while in England by Unc1- Guy, as we
all call him, who still lives and is the
adopted father of yonder happy bride. I
forgot to tell you that her maiden name,
like that of her mother, is Belle Bruce.
81 remember" said Uncle Guy, shat
when we were about fifteen years Of age
Halloween arrived and all the young
people of the neighborhood assembled in
the big library of Percival hall to take
part in the games and WOO our sweet
hearts. During the evening Belle and
engaged in romp with her handker-
chief, which she had tied in a ball, and
by accident, while it was being tossed
to and fro, threw it behind one of the
large pictures hanging in the library.
s.Time wore on, and Belle went to
Paris to engage in study and especially
to cultivate her voice, which was con-
tralto of great compass, while was sent
to Italy to pursue my bent in painting.
During the next few years 1 worked
assiduously at my profession as an art
list and won my share Of its honors and
wealth. One day while sauntering
through the streets of Florence with an
old English friend we were accosted in
our own language by a handsome little
fellow who stopped in the midst of
singularly familiar English air, and
begged us to buy some of the music he
had for sale. We both quickly became
interested, and / said, .Youngster,
where did you learn that song, and how
is it that you speak English so well?'
"'My mother was an English lady,
was the reply, and she taught it to
me; it was her favorite song. But I'm
no youngster; I'm a GIRL she added.
Becoming still more interested, made,
inquiries concerning her history. She
told me that her mother had died long
before and left her brother and herself
in charge of a kind lady who was to send
them to their relatives in England as
soon as she could find way; that while
playing in the street an old woman
from whom she had run away had stolen
them from home and taken them to
other cities. 1t was very, very long
time, she said, since her mother died.