Year: 1859

that attachment does not always depend
upon age, which, subsequent events con
vinced Frank, was intended as an intma-
tion that although she was several years his
senior an attachment was not impossible.


1T is delicate question to ask lady, l
am aware, madame replied he, but /
should like to know your age


Il am thirty a daughter seven
teen. / was married at fourteen


Mrs. Cunningham then went on to de-
scribe tie pleasant social gatherings she
had at her house; said they made it point
to entertain some of their friends every
evening, play cards little, dance, perhaps,
and enjoy themselves generally. She fur
ther informed Frank that she had large
circle OF aristocratic acquaintance, to
whom she could introduce friend.


She finally said it was time to go home /;
that she lived only short distance from
there, and should walk As il was quite
dark and unpleasant, Frank felt bound to
offer himself as an escort, which offer was
accepted.


Before leaving, she went out and had
long consultation with the broker, which
was carried on in low tone. At length
the broker came in alone, aud whispered to
Frank that the lady was not averse to a
lover herself, and had taken liking to
him but charged him by everything high
and low not to intimate that she had whis-
pered such a thing to him, for she (Cun-
ningham) knew nothing of it, and she (the
brOker) had done it entirely of her own
motion.


Mrs. Cunningham soon after announced
| her readiness to go, and the two set out in
company. She went to the Fifth avenue
and turned down. As they posed the
| palatial residences Of that street, she would
point out house and say Mr. so-and-so
lived there, and that she was an intimate
friend of the family. Finally she paused
before an elegant dwelling, and turned to
the gate as though she intended to enter f;
but suddenly turned away, saying i have
a sister living here, and intended to stop,
but it is so late / think on the whole l will
not


The two walked on TO Madison Park,
and Frank began to feel fearful he should
meet some stray acquaintance, of whom he
had number in that locality, and became
exceedingly anxious to get rid of his charge.
He therefore remarked that he had an inn
portant engagement in Brooklyn, and fear
the South Ferry added he, and see
there is South Ferry omnibus


You had better take it, said Mrs. Gun
ningham. i only want to go around to
Lexington Avenue to make call and can
just as well go alone. have friend there
who will accompany me home


1t is very ungalant,' said Frank, 'to
leave lady alone in the street at this hour;
yet, if it will make no difference with you,
haste must be my apology


1T will not make the slightest difference,
I assure you, SIR said Mrs. Cunningham; +;
and after renewing his promise to meet her
at Mrs. Willis'S the next Friday afternoon,
he bade her good night


THE SECOND INTERVIEW OF MR.. FITZGERALD AND
MRS. CUNNINGHAM.


The next Friday, at O'Clock, both par
ties were at the matrimonial Office, accord
ing to agreement. Mr. Fitzgerald obserV-
ed that Mrs. Cunningham had pale, hag-
gard and sleepy look; and she felt called
on to apologize, which she did by saying
she was up all the previous night with a
! sick person.


i am great nurse said she, and as
you are complaining of bad cold head
ACHE l think l shall have to try my skill
with you.'


Frank replied that he was quite ill, and
doubted not her treatment would soon re-
store him; but at once changed the subject
by inquiring after the young lady of whom
she had previously spoken to him.


Mrs. Cunningham replied that she was
well, but that it took widow for good
nurse; and otherwise managed to attract
conversation to herself. She finally said


tell you what it is, sir, if You want to
get cnred, come with me-.


Do you propose to introduce me to your
family to-night?'


'Oh no. sir. The time may come when
that will do, but it will not do yet; you
cannot even know my name. When we
know each other well enough when |
know who you are, and you know who l
am, then will invite you to my house.
But until that time comes shall not do so.


4 thought suggested Frank, 'by your
speaking Of nursing me, that you would
take me under your care at home


NO. IneFe are pieuJy vi RESTAURANTS
where we can go. You are, presume, ac
uuainted with some of Them


l don't know that am. The truth il
l have led a very quiet and straightforward
life in New York


Well, there are plenty Of places where
we can CO. There is one at the corner o


- street and Broadway, where we cat
have a room to ourselves, and be waiteC
on in good style"


This conversation was interlarded will
much irrelevant gossip, and by this TIM
it was quite dark. Fitzgerald thought h'
fully comprehended Mrs Cunningham
meaning, and resolved to retreat at once
, He therefore, remarked that he was too IN
/ we'll to remain longer, but would go direct
ly home, and take some medicine for his
} cold. At the same time he took out his
, pocket book and said


l trust, madam, as l cannot remall
: longer tonight. you will not be offended II
offer you small present. merely as
token of sincerity. It is OF course, but
triae and nothing to what | shall expect
To do for you if our acquaintance contin