Year: 1871




q wife. She looked so fresh in her white
muslin, with blue flowers in her brown hair,
and the knot of blue ribbon in the lace at
her throat, that could not help admiring
her, and l told her something to that effect
Her brown eyes lit up softly at the flattery,
which, from its truth, was not flattery after
all. liked to see her eyes smile as they
could when she was pleased. 1 had seen a
good deal of her since my acquaintance
with the Stanfelds began, and liked her
only second to Lucia, | concluded of all
the young women l knew.


A week or two after that the Stanfelds
took their departure for the mountains. l
did not accompany them, for the reason
that l wanted to have n chance to collect
my wits before proceeding to lay my heart
at Lucia's feet. After they were gone, |
recollected that she had not even asked me
if were coming after them. But then,
perhaps, she had taken it for granted that
would follow them. She evidently knew
what my intentions were.


The thought occurred to me that perhaps
l had better write to her before | went to
the mountains, and prepare her for what
was coming. Not but that thought she
knew that intended marriage, but that
she might have time and opportunity to
think the matter over, and give me a final
answer at once. / was so sure what that
answer would be that / was not troubled
much about it.


Consequently l wrote to her. Here is
the epistlc word for word, have thanked
my lucky stars a thousand times since it
was written, that it was so non -committal.


"MY DEAR MISS STANFIELD - The
Springs are dull since you and your sister
have left them. j think | shall have to try
the mountains. / think could find lit
tie rest there. Do you suppose / could find
wife, too? Ask Mary if she knows of
any young lady-say Stanfield for in
stance, that would be apt to accept the
name of Sedley in exchange for her own?
| am coming to find out about it, m


" Yours, MACK SEDLEY."


u" There / said, folding the somewhat
peculiar epistle, she'll know what Imeau,
of course" You will see that did not
speak of marriage as connected with her
self, though certainly meant it in that
way. But fate was smiling on me when /
wrote that letter.


Two days after the letter was sent fol-
lowed it.


The Stanfeld party was stopping at a
pleasant, quiet place near the village, and
after supper started to call on them
felt, can hardly tell how, but Pm safe in
saying that I've felt considerably more at
my ease than did when walking toward
the Stanfleld's hotel Was / not about to
propose to a young woman? I'll leave my
sensations to the imagination of every
young man who has been on a similar err
rand. Such can appreciate them. To
other people could never hope to describe
them. have only to say that "they're
awful ~


1t was beginning to get dusky as l
reached the place. There was large gar
den all about the house, filed with great
olumps of shrubbery, taller than mans
head.


heard Lucia's voice as walked up tho
path, and stopped to listen. lr8
cit was really amusing" she was saying.
81 do believe he loved me with all his heart.
l like him well enough as a friend, but
couldn't think Of marrying him. couldn't
resist having little fun at his expense,
though got bored occasionally were
so marked, you know-so monopolizing, as
If he thought belonged TO him, He wrote
yesterday that he was coming to see about
getting wife, and wanted me to ask Mary
If she thought Miss Stanfeld would change
, her name for that of Sedley. OF course
knew we'll enough what he meant. Won't
he open his eyes when tell him that am
expecting my 'ain true knight every day
, Mary gave me a regular scolding for en-
couraging him. ] did not know that did


He need not have taken everything for
7 granted. I'm almost sure that she wouldn't
! tell him no, If he asked her the question he
. is coming to ask me. They would make a
, pretty good match, think. He's of good
family, wealthy, and not objeetionai in any
way. Butmy marrying him Tho idea ?
a b Then l was treated to chorus of fem
I mime laughter. shan't make any effort tC
' tell youhow / felt while listening to Lucia''
4 narration of my love affair. WHAT'S thu
n use to try, when couldn't do the subject 9
a shadow of justices II your imagination 4
!. very strong, you might bring IL TO bear OF
!, the case, and think how yOa would hay'


foiS An Nl,,t 90,