Year: 1867

Now, Evergreen. you re laughing q
me. But | cant leave of the habit
and l never will. It's comfort fo
me to know that there's nothing wron.
about it, aud | don't see why you shot l.
deprive Il of it..


So under the bed goes the candle
and, no signs of humanity being dis
covered, Mrs. Evergreen is able to re
pose in peace. But, as already observ
ed, this precautionary act is sometime
forgotten, and | am myself obliged t.
rise. light the lamp aud report. Fv,
done it rather more frequently of lat
than is agreeable, and have intimate,
as mu,h to Mrs. E. She says:


Very well, Evergreen, I'll do it my
self


But this procedure is almost as bad
for she invariably let's the cold in OF
me both in getting out and getting in
If it were not for increasing this men
tai idiosynerasy on the part of Mrs
Evergreen, by giving her some goot
reascn to apprehend danger, | shoule
relate to her what am about to lay be
fore the reader. In this narration
therefore, | ask the public most particu
larly to bear in mind that Mrs Ever
green is of a sensitive nature, and rath
er apprehensive and slightly supersti
tious, and that what | have to say mus
under no circumstance be impaired tt
that lady If for two-and twenty year.
Chat is the period of our welded life
and happy years have they been)-if,
say, | have for this long period refrain
ed from imparting the matter to the
beloved sharer of my joys and partake
Of my sorrows, surely the public (Which
as we know, always do keep secret
will keep mine.


All young men, | suppose, bave love
affairs before they eventually fix theil
affections on the one who is to bles:
their lot in life. | know that | had
and don't regret it. Regret it? fal
from it. Mrs Evergreen is not present
and therefore have no hesitation in
saying that if had my life to live ovel
again Id like to 90 through with the
same sentimental experience, particu
lary if it was to be succeeded by again
leading to the hymeneal altar the pres
ent Mrs Evergreen.


Was not bad looking when I was il
my twenties | think may 90 further
nd confidently say thaat Gus Ever
green was il decided favorite among the
girls Of Oakville, aud | really believed
that | could have had any .. them 'fol
the asking As before remarked
Mrs. Evergreen is not present, and
indulge my thoughts somewhat more
free ly than would otherwise be the case
| don't think that cared particularly
for any of the OakviIle girls. however
and might have kept my heart whole
to this day if it had not been for the
circumstance which | am about to re
late


Fred Evans, who had been my chunl
at school, came to make me visit at
Oakville for "a day or two, as he said
when he came; but he made it week
or two easily enough after I'd taken
him about a little among the young
ladies When that time had expired
Fred said he really must go, as he did mt
know what his father and mother would
think Of his long absence but it ended
IN his relieving their anxiety by letter
and ending for his trunks. | knew
how the matter was perfectly well, and
that Belle Bronson had bewitched him
out OF his five senses. Fred tried to
put 1t on to the country air and the
quiet which was benefiting his health,
etc., but it was no use trying to de
celve me, and | told him so Then he
owned up frankly. and I promised to
help him all could, if he required any
help in the prosecution of his suit. l
never thought Belle hirt, or that she
would willingly distress any human
being; but she had way of looking in
ones eyes as if to captivate them, for
her mere personal amusement. AT any
rate she had larger share of beaux
than the other girls, but all their atten-
tions came to nothing | feared it
might be so with Fred Evans, and
warned him accordingly; but Fred said
he'd have her if he tried all his life :
that without her, life was naught to
him. that she was the only living
being who had ever awakened a real
emotion in his breast, etc etc. After
that said no more, but closely observ-
ed the loves, and soon came to the con-
clusion that Fred was by no means dis
agreeable to her. Things went on in
this way without any definite result un-
til Fred received sudden summons
home ON account of his mother Illness
When he came back to renew his visit
he insisted upon staying at the Oak
vile Hotel rather than wear out his
welcome at our house, and finding re
mon,trance unavailing, there he went.
The landlord (honest old Dcwnsbury-
| wonder if yet he lives) gave Fred. at
my su- gestion, bis best bedroom. No.
2O'-I am particular in mentioning the
number He shall have No. 90 said
nownsbury ANY friend of yours,
Master Augustus, shall have the best
have to give as longs I'm landlord.
1t was pleasant room, looking out on
the distant hills and the beautiful wind
ing branch of the Blackwater but
what cared Fred for scenery? he was in
the hands Of the blind god, and could
not see even as far as his nose. except
in the direction of Bellies cottage.
used to go over to Fred's room and