Year: 1861

I


Yes sir; will you step in p replied the Bot
tons, oigilly. What name shall l say


The young mans heart beat like steam engine
at the thought Of his own audacity.


'Be 20 kind as to take my card, and say that
MIR. Barker request to see Miss Harton few
moments


The page ushered him into the drawing-room,
which was empty, and disappeared. Ralph
braced himself for the coming interview. After
short delay, which seemed to him like the in
terval between the condemnation and execution
Of criminal, the door opened, aud the beaut-
ful Isabel entered the apartment. Without
manifesting any surprise at such a visit, she
politely motioned him to o chair, and seated her
self nj some distance from him, awaiting the an
nouncement of his errand.


4 must request your indulgence, Miss IIarton,
said Ralph, with perfect outward self-posses-
sion, although inWardly he perfectly realised the
sirangeness of his position, 'for having taken so
great liberty as 20 call upon you personally
without having had the honor Of an introduce
ton. My object is simply to return handker.
chief picked up in the street, bearing you name.
might have restored it to you without intrud-
ing upon your leisure but trust you will par
don the freedom | have ventured to use, in order
TO apologize more completely for what must have
seemed so much like intentional rudeness. By
some strange fatality, have three times caused
you Groat annoyance, although nothing could
have heen further from my wishes. beg you
to believe that deeply regret my own awkward
ness, and am most sincerely sorry ever to have
placed you in such embarrassing situations


Indeed Mr.. Barker replied the beautiful
girl, with pleasant and cordial smile on her
features, 4 beg you never think of it again l
assure you, you greatly exaggerate the import
ance Of such tribes, which require no apology at
all. nVtrpmplv how fata fha
trouble to come so far merely to restore a hand
kerchief, which was ignorant l had lost until
You mentioned the fact.


At the conclusion Of this little speech (which
we fear was hardly an extempore efTort), and
during Miss Harton's reply to it, Ralph had been
searching his pockets for the lost article, and
picture the intensity Of bis chagrin and mortifi-
cation as the truth came upon him like an ava
lanche, that he had left it behind Isabel
instantaneously OWNED the real state Of the
case she saw the blood rush to his face redden-
ing it to the roots Of his hair, and as swiftly
retreat leaving it pallid as marble. II she had
not perceived the real distress of the young
mans mind, the incongruity and absurdity Of
the whole matter would have over-powered her
self control; but her quick sympathy with all
kinds Of suffering took away every inclination to
laugh. Ralph at last spoke, with forced smile
upon his cOuntenance, and voice trembling in
spite OF himself.


1T may seem, perhaps, premeditated insult,
Miss IIarton, when tell you that the handker-
chief thought l had with me has been left be-
hind by some careless mistake of my own.
have once again made myself ridiculous in your
eyes but | promise you this shall be the last
time. Your property shall be sent Immediately
by post If had no other motive than simply to
vindicate my own sincerity, l should be CON
cerned to see It restored If you will only have
the sane charity for my last misfortune which
you have so generously expressed for its prede-
cessors. will take pains never to need the same
indulgence fifth time


So saying, he took up his hat and rose to 20,
but Isabel eagerly motiOned him to remain.


'Do not feel so keenly about mere nothing, l
entreat you, Mr.. Barkes, she said, with genuine
kindness in her large, beautiful eyes; Il shall
never forgive myself for having been the inno-
cent cause Of 80 much chagrin, II you pereist in
viewing this idle matter through microscope.
Pray laugh at the whole affair with me, for we
have both been equally placed in a ridiculous
light and, believe me, il is true wisdom not to
waste feeling on such undeserving objects as
little mistakes and accidents


The unaffected kindness of her tone and manner
went to poor Ralph's heart, and, as we often
feel more gratitude for little favors than for
great, he felt that her beauty was the least Of
her charms for 1t was only the transparent veil
through which shone her true womanly nature
in all its loveliness. As he again rose to CO. che
extended her hand towards him, he took it In
his own, and bowing his head, was on the point
of imprinting kiss upon the white taper fingers,
when the door suddenly opened, aud Mr.. Harton
entered. Isabel hastily withdrew her hand, and
coloring deeply, said to her father, Let me in
troduce you to Mr.. Barker, papa.


The large, stout gentleman advanced, and
offering his hand, said with penetrating glance
in the young mans face, 4 am always glad to
welcome my daughters friends how do you do,
Mr.. Barker?'


Ralph stammered out something about the
weather, and was evidently in no little confusion
when Isabel came to his rescue, and said with
quiet self possession, 'Mr Barker found my
handkerchief in the street, papa, and was SO
kind as TO come on purpose to restore it. feel
very much obliged to him, indeed, for his polite
ness'


Barker, Barker said Mr.. Harton, repeating
the name abstraotedly (he saw there was en-
barrassment on both sides, and having unlimited
confidence in his daughter, wished to extricato
them from it, 'an old schoolfelloW of mine was
named Barker-Ralph James Barker. Perhaps
you are a relation Of his sir p


THAT was my fathers name SIR answered
Ralph internally thanking the old gentleman for





'Theu upon my word, said Mr.. Harton warm
ly, lit is the luckiest chance in the world that
brought you here Mr. Barker. Your father and
were old friends of long standing, and for years
and years we cotresponded together; but after
went to Calcutta, l suddenly ceased to hear
from him, and never knew where be Wns, or what
had become Of him. You must stop and due
with us this evening 1 have q hundred ques-
tons to ask. | might have known you were
Ralphs son. he added, looking in the young
mans face, same eyes, same hair, same every
thing Well weli it may be my turn next
And with these words the old gentleman left
them.


The two young folks remained in silence some
time Ralph at last broke the pause, saying,
May consider that have Miss Harton's per-
mission to remain as we'll as her father'sl'


Il shall always welcome my fathers friends
she answered evasively. and q little Instantly,
adding in a more cordial tone, Il am sure moth
ing has happened to make your visits other than
acceptable. Besides she continued, little
mischievously, when you next call, you may AS
well bring my handkerchief yourself; instead Of
sending it,


Having thus seen our hero fairly launched on
Hhe course Of true love- we will hope that il
ran smooth for the future, and that the ripples
at its commencement we're not prophetic Of sub
sequent matrimonial storms.


1t may be interesting to add that Ralph'i
groomsman on that occasion was Mr.. Henry
Livingstone and after the ceremony was over
he was overheard to whisper in the bridegroom
ear 81 soy, RALPH, if You find any more hand
kerchiefs, send me one. will youP


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