Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1896-12-05
HIS COURTSHIP.

over the expanse of sea. Here and
there twinked tiny star, and the
ripping waves as they rolled gently
up the beach made low murmur
that was soothing to the hearts of true
lovers.
And must you leave me to.mor.
row !" she sighed.
Il must, my darling he replied a.
he gazed down into the depths of her
lnstrous eyes wide "ha'penny shock,
err. Twill not he for long.
must get back to business, but | shall
be pining for my Stella and will
quickly make arrangements 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 Legin, had been
passing three weeks vacation at
where he had made
the acquaintance of Miss Stella Storey,
whom he had, perhaps somewhat
precipitately, wooed and won. She
was the ouly daughter OF the widow OF
Il 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 been carried off by some
adventurous swain long before. but
the fact remains she had hot, and rs
tins little story is nothing unless true
the fact must be recorded.
Mr.. Mark Leign openly confessed
his love for Stella, and her mother,
who, apart from peculations upon her
dodgers which are not regarded by
seasi'le landladies as prohibited by the
eighth commandment, was really a
very respectable old soul, had given
her consent to the match, which she
regarded as being good one for her
daughter, Mr.. Leigh being a 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 heartless william, Mark Leigh.
1t happened that late in the season
Mr.. Specker of the well known firm or
Specker d Spottley, solicitors, staid at
Mrs. Storey's, and hearing word or
two as to Stella's taithless lover he
persuaded that young lady to confde
her tale 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
business friends, was successful mer-
chant of about 81 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, nj his office one morning Just
before 10 .cl0ck, he was accosted by
a self-confident sort of young man, who
produced document from his pocket,
which he handed to Mr.. Leigh, saying /:
From Messrs. Specker Il Spottley,
sir. A writ at the suit of Miss Stella
Storey FOR breach of promise. And,
flashing another document in the eyes
Of the astcnished merchant, ''here is
the original y
Mr.. Mark Leigh turned very red.
What do YOU mean ~ he asked.
Il don't know any Miss Stella What's
her-name There's some mistake -
The lawyers clerk winked his eye
in a peculiarly irritating manner.
I've done my duty and served you
with the writ, sir That's all | know
about it Good morning"
Mr.. Mark Leign stood as il in
What did it mean =?
Could he have So soon forgotten that
pleasant little Irritation at Slopton-on-
Sea :? However that might he, he
knew that wrI.s were things which
must not be forgotten, so he at once
walked round to his old friend and
solicitor, Mr. Standwell, in Mining
avenue, 10 whom he handed the hateful
paper, telling him he knew nothing
whatever about the lady or the
promise.
Mr.. Standwell looked somewhat in
crcdulous and probed his client with
some rather sly questions. but on Mr..
Leign's repeating his innocence aud
showing little irritation he desistel.
I'm he said. Its very strange
Perhaps there's been some mistake.
but Specker IL Spoitley are sharp
people-very sharp people and it
won't do Ia trust 10 that \ ou wish
me to do whatever is necessary to
defend the action p
Certainly" replied his client.