The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-11-28
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HIS COURTSHIP.
From the London Tit-Bits.

| The moon, inconstant as of yore, popped
out occasionally from between the clouds
which were scudding along over the ex
panse of sea Here and there twinkled a
tiny star, and the rippling waves as they
rolled gently up the beach made II low
murmur that was soothing to the hearts of
true lovers.
"And must you leave Inc tomorrow?
she sighed
II must, my darling he replied as he
gazcd down into the depths of her lustrous
eyes (vide ''ha'penny shocker' }.
q Twill not be for long. l must get
back to business, but shall be pining for
my Stella and will quickly made arrange
ments for our being united to part no
more"
The moon conveniently disappeared
again. 'Ah! Was that the sound of
lips?
The gentleman, who had given his name
as Mr.. Mark Leigh, had been passing a
three weeks vacation at Slopton- -on-SOp,
where he had made the acquaintance Of
Miss Stella Storey, whom he had, perhaps
somewhat precipitately, wooed and won.
She was the only daughter of the widow
of smack owner, who added to her little
income by letting apartments during the
summer, and Stella was so pretty and
winning that the wonder is she had not
not been carried off by some adventurous
swain long before, but the fact remains she
had not, and as this little story is nothing
unless true the fact must be recorded
Mr. Mark Leigh openly confessed his
love for Stella, and her mother, who, apart
from peculations upon her dodgers which
are not regarded by seaside landladies as
as prohibited by the eighth commandment,
was really very respectable old soul, had
given her consent to the match which she
regarded as being good one for her daugh-
ter, Mr. Leigh being colonial merchant
in London.
But the best of friends, and of lovers,
too, must part, and the next day Mark
took his leave of Slopton and of Miss
Stella Storey, with many promises to write
early and often on his return to town.
1t proved, however. that poor Stella was
left deserted and forlorn She neither saw
nor heard anything further Of the heart
less villain, Mark Leigh.
1t happened that late in the season Mr..
Specker of the well known firm OF Speaker
& Spottley, solicitors, staid at Mrs. Storey s,
and hearing word or two as to Stella 5
faithless lover he persuaded that young
lady to confide her ,a'e of woe to him,
with view to his firm commencing an
action for breach of promise of marriage
against Mr.. Mark Leigh, who, as Mr.
Specker well knew, was good for costs.
Mr.. Mark Leigh, as known to his busi-
ness friends, was successful merchant of
about 80 years of age, a bachelor and likely
to remain so, for he had never cultivated
ladies society and had become so welded
to his business that no charms of nature
or of art had hitherto been able to allure
him from the market, and the desk, and
the ledger Arriving, as was his wont. at
his Office one morning just before 10
O clock, he was accosted by self conf
dent sort of young man, who produced
document from his pocket, which he hand
ed to Mr.. Leigh, saying:
''From Messrs. Specker & Spcttley,
sir. A writ at the suit Of Miss Stella
Storey for breach of promise. And,
flashing another document in the eyes of
the astonished merchant, "here is the
originalr'
Mr. Mark Leigh turned very red.
''What do yeu mean?'' he asked. ~
don't know any Miss Stella What s-her-
name! There's some mistakeF'
The lawyer clerk winked his eye in a
peculiarly irritating manner "Tye done
my duty and served you with the writ, sir
That S all know about it. Good morn
ing.
Mr.. Mark Leigh stood as if in bewilder-
ment. What did it mean? Could he
have so soon forgotten that pleasant little
Irritation at Slopton-on-Sea? However
that might be, he knew that writs were
things which must not be forgotten, SO he
at once walked round to his old friend and
solicitor, Mr. Standwell, in Mining avenue,
to whom he handed the hateful paper,
telling him he knew nothing whatever
about the lady or the promise.
Mr.. Standwell looked somewhat incredu-
lous and probed his client with some rather
sly questions, but on Mr. Leigh repeating
his innocence and showing little irritation
he desisted
''Umr' he said SITS very strange.
Perhaps there's been some mistake, but
Specker & Spottley are sharp people-very
sharp people-and it won't do to trust to
that. You wish me to do whatever is
necessary to defend the action?''
Certainly, replied his client. "But
surely, if you tell them that there is
mistake, they will drop 1t at oRee
There is no knowing what they will
do, returned the lawyer. ''rhey are
sharp people-very sharp people indeed.
However, | viii do what necessary, and
you need not trouble yourself any more
about it till you hear from me.
Mr.. Standwell looked perplexed after
Mr.. Mark Leigh had gone. He had
known his client long time and did not
care to think that he was rogue, let alone
] such fool as to try to deceive his own