Year: 1859

CH' Noul hO Sct CauSi III III Ills O"H tidp, |
as sure as my name is Bessie? o, it's
enough to make a ghost laugh to think of
it, and the little witch broke into peal OF
musical laughter-laughter with melody
enough in it to set up dozen nightingales
and as many larks in business. What did
she mean?


Wonder if he never carries any more
in his valiss than thls?-three old dckies,
a pair Of stockings that look as if little
yarn would mt damage the toes. cigar,
crumpled vest, some fishing tackle. dirty
almanac, bunch Of old letters, a soiled |
neck-tie. rair of old slippers, powder
flask, an odd glove, three handkerchiefs,
and--as--I-l-iv-e-a doguerreotypep


l felt myself blushing to the very tips
of my ears, as she slowly enumerated the
contents of my valise, lifting them daintily
with her thumb and finger. and then lay
ing them down one by one beside her. L
forgot that she had no business therefor
got that nothing but the most unpardona
BILE and unladylike imrertinence could have
prompted her thus to act--forgot every
thing save the single fact that young,
beautiful woman was making merry at the
expense of my wardrobe For moment
l wished she had looked into my trunk
instead of my portmanteau. was vain
enough to think the respectable assortment
of apparel there would have given her
more flattering opinion of me.


Goodness, gracious what homely
miniature! Looks old enough to be his
mother. Why, the mouth is twisted clear
round to one ear and the nose to the other
The eyes are crooked, and tho hair is
spatted down on the forehead, for all the
world like the little mud pies 1 used to
make when 1 was small and played in the
dirt Wonder if that's his ladv-love9 >
I'll never speak to him again, if it is


1t was daguerrcotype of my old mad
aunt, Miranda, that she was examining.
My lady-love! eouldn's bear to have her
think SO poorly of my taste, and should
certainly have thundered out an indignant
mo- if my great curiosity to see and hear
what she would do and say next had not
checked me.


Now, If don't serve Il trick on that
Harry Brown, then may die an old maid
l wonder how these stockings would fl
me?'


With merry laugh she drew on the
ragged hose over those beautiful feet had
admired so fervently, and then thrust over
them the worn slippers she had found in
the valise. AS if pleased with the exper-
iment. she continued to add the straw ar
ticles of my attire to her own dress, till in
spite of my indignatian could hardly re-
frain from laughing outright at the gro
tesque figure she cut. One of my dickies
was enthroned on her slender throat, con-
cealing her dainty lace collar; my old vest
was drawn over her neatly fitting merino
basque, and red silk handkerchief was
knotted into an impromptu cap, into which
she gathered the heavy masses of her am
Der hair. Then she scufed about the
apartment, while was obliged to withdraw
my eyes from the crevice in the door, fear
full of being seen.


And now for my trick on you Master
Harry she said. after capering about the
room few moments and surveying herself
in the long mirror with bursts of childish
laughter. Let me see If can't give you
surprise. hope you wont keep me wait
ing long.


She drew the sofa out a little ways from
the wall, and ensconced herself behind it.
1t was very evident that she intended to
conceal herself there until my return
What she meant to do then, unless it was
to Jump out and frighten me, l could not
imagine. A bold thought struck me. l
crept softly down stairs, waited moment
to catch my breath, and then went whis-
ing up again, making all the noise | could.
marched unconsciously into my room,
threw myself down on the sofa taking
great deal of pains not to see anybody be-
hind it. although there was little nervous
tremor ofagiation and wonder at my heart
to know how the mystery was to end.


A second of time served TO convince
me. There was slight rustic behind me
which l resolulely declined hearing. and
then pair Of satiny arms. white and soft
as swans down, were thrown about my
neck, two tapering fingers pressed down
my eyelids till could not see, and a warm
red mouth left kiss after kiss upon my un-
resisting cheeks. Rose leaves and honey!
Those dainty, delicious. dewy kisses? The
very memory of them makes my cheeks
tingle now!


Delightful! delicious intoxicatingl'
| cried, as soon as was released from nv