The record-union., 1896-05-24


before l did for which l owe him a
grudge). He was also the only man
against whom my mother warned me.
though her warning was of little avail
to me. There is a heavy responsibility.
my child, upon a parent in the matter
of choosing a suitable husband for a
daughter. A young girl cannot know
her own heart-but why dost thou
smile? Is it because /, who eloped from
my fathers house with the son of my
fathers enemy, have no right TO speak
upon that text? Well! l Will spare
thee the rest of the lecture, Miss Prue,
seeing that thou hast taken the man l
chose for thee.
Mr.. Wallingford had arrived in this
country after peace was concluded with
England and, though an Englishman,
he was more enthusiastic about Free
America" than we who had fought for
independence. He was not possessed of
any estate, but received, or pretended to
receive, remittances from England.
Well! Both these gentlemen were of
course, my lovers. Mr. Spencer was the
first in the field in point of time,
though / never entertained a serious
thought for him until after the duel,
while, as L said, I came near marrying
the other Mr.. Spencer's wooing was
like himself; a delicate compliment or
few lines of poetry was all that he
ever permitted himself | wish | had
kept some of the verses he wrote me.
now, for a memento, but l foolishIy de-
stroyed them, and cannot remember
any, except that he made my name
Theodore, rhyme with Il adore her'-a
very popular couplet with my poetic ad-
mirers! He was my devoted slave,
which was the greatest fault found in
him, for my heart was seeking a master.
not a slave, and so, when he summoned
up courage enough to lay his heart and
hand at my feet, 1 had no compunction
whatever in telling him he might not
hope.
He bore his disappointment bravely,
and we continued to be good friends
for which l was glad, for he was an inti-
mate friend of the Saxbys l pretended
to twit him concerning his Quaker
friends, and he never failed to re-
spond to my raillery by telling of some
good action done by one or other of
them. [ listened eagerly to these
stories, for L was deeply interested in
the genial-looking elderly gentleman.
and no less in his handsome silent son.
who was to become my husband, but
from whom [ could neither entice nor
provoke glance of admiration
Mr.. WallingfOrd, on the other hand,
usually treated me as a child, EXCEPT
when he and 1 We're apart from the
others, when he would sink his voice
into rapturous whisper in addressing
me- He hovered about me for three
months before declaring himself. but l
could see that his policy was to warn
off other admirers, gradually taking
the position of my sole cavalier.
He chose an evening when a few
guests were informally gathered at nv
fathers house to unmask himself. After
supper, he and / wandered into nv
mothers private sitting-room under
some pretext or another, being nothing
loath to give him the opportunity to
make love to me.
How hard it is" said he, when we
were alone, ito have word with you
Il think you say a good many words
to me" l replied with a smile.
we were standing, and [ permitted
MIN TO lead me to sofa, upon which
he sat down also, next to me- He still
retained my hand, and | waited, with
doWncast eyes, for the declaration I ex-
pected. 1 sat a few moments in silence.
to give him time to collect his thoughts.
for L had received many declarations.
and was calm, while this might be his
first attempt, thought.
st q cIoH To /
on. L would rather see you in your
grave than not at all"
The selfshness of his words struck
me, and L looked up, to meet his eyes
fixed upon me with a burning light in
them. L grew uncomfortable under his
gaze and tried to withdraw my hand.
but he would not let it go. Instead he
clasped me round the waist and tried
TO KISS me. L was now quite agitated.
l had no brother to chastise his rude
ness, and l knew that my father would
only laugh at me if I complained to
him. At this moment I heard a step in
the passage.
'Unhand me, sir" 1 cried aloud,
struggling to free myself
A figure appeared in the doorway. ]
was disappointed to see that it was
Mr.. Spencer, the last champion that I
would have chosen. Mr. WalIingford
released me at once, and turned angrily
to the intruder.
why this interruption. sir?" he
asked, not trying to conceal his pas
sion.
They are making up a party at
cards." replied Mr.. Spencer. ''Will you
take a hand?"
| had risen, and now slipped out of
the room. but paused to listen at the
door. You came here to dog me.'
cried Mr.. Wallingford. Let US go and
play cards" replied Mr.. Spencer. 1--WE
can easily find cause for quarrel in our
p!ay-if you play as you played last
night when you won so heavily from
young Sutton"
The last words were uttered clearly
and deliberately. 1t was the deadliest
insult that could be offered in those
days, short of calling a man coward
to accuse him of cheating at cards. I
waited with baited breath for the an
swer.
by Cd" roared Mr.. Wallingford
81 will break every bone in your body
for this" There was bullying swagger
in his Tone not the righteous indigna-
ton of an innocent man wrongfully ac-
cused.
Mr.. Marriott will receive any mes
sage you may send" replied Mr.. Spen-
Ger.
He shall have it," cried Mr. Walling-
ford, without delay. l have long want
ed to smash your
you are perhaps stronger than t.
returned Mr.. Spencer, yet the battle is
not always to the strong, especially
when the weapons are pistols, with ten
PAGES between. Now let US join the
others. Will you precede me?"
ITrn0ra hna ring thnCn GoaA o.