Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 6, Number 2, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 10 July 1875 — Page 6

THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

THE MOTHER'S PLEA Too won't be hard on her. father? I It to JwuJnle, our eldvsl born— Jeannle, th« little girl-baby

Uod gave us one Christ ma* morn. Htie has given us many a heart-ache

And, oh! 'twas a bitter day When we hunted all ov* for Jeannlev And found she had run away. Too cursed her that morning, father

And bitterly then you swore That the home she left bebiud her Should never receive her more Bat

know that you eouldn have meant it And you von remember it when,,,. Hick aud broken and hungry,

Our Jeannle conies home again.

Tou won be hard on her, father? It was years and years ago, An« I think you have freitedforJeaunle

More than even you know. Khe locking no pale and sickly, And see how thin she Is dressed Look at the poor llttlu baby

That Is lying on Jeannle breast.

You are forehanded, father. And these are oar flesh and blood, And yet they are cold aud hungr,

Htarving, perhaps, for food. You know we pray of a Sunday, And every day mat we live, To foe for our t»lus forgiven

Even as we forgive. Beth was shiftlews fellow. But he wasn't bad, you know: And Jeannle wa* young and reckless—

And then she loved him so!

Our girl had a good many chance* To marry a likelier man, But after a thing Is done, you see,

We shoul'J do the best we can. He is only poor and shiftless, ho wouldn't come back aguln, perhaps If he had a chance, father,

To take his place among men— IX w© could do onuHlUng for liim, Olve him a lilt, you know, (Jet him somehow to work again

I'erhaps lie might make it go.

We'll take him back to the homestead— II has been such a lonely place Just think how the dear old kitchen

Will welcome Jeannlo's face! Jeannle will help get supper— You know I am getting old— And you shall sit in your arm chair,

With Jeannle's baby to hold.

[From Appleton's Journal.]

Moonshine.

Mrs. Ilamlyn stood alone in her nur aery turning over some of the children

lesson-books,when

the door was opened

noiselessly, and ahead put inside. "IIow do, Grade?" The little lady turued with a start at the sound.of the voice, and, seeing the smiling faco looking in, ran forward with extended hands and a cry of won der and delight. "Ned 1 what a surprise! I thought you were a million miles trorn here. Did you drop from the clouds

Not far from them," was the laugh ins answer. "From tho liocky Moun tarns, at least."

Mrs. ilamlyn drow her brother inside and installed hi in in tlio easiest chair the room affordod, as if she thought a man from tlio Rocky Mountains must be in spoclal need of repose. The man in question did not seem to object to this theorv he leaned buck atul made himself vory much at home.

Is hero any reason, Gracie," he said presently, as, during a lull in tlio fire of quostiotm, his eyes wandered round the room, "wliv that picture should not hang straight—excessively bad though it is? The work of tho revered Bitrkinson, I huppose? Hut I should have thought sho would havo hung it at a rlaht angle—being made up of thorn herself." ••For shame, Ned said Mrs. Gracio. laughlntr, then growing gnive. ".Miss Parkinson has gone away."

Am 1 expected to express niy sor row for that event?" nsked Edward Ixjoksley, laughing. "It's more than she would do bv me, for she nhvavs treated mo with a quite particular grimnoss."

Yes, her manner was sometimes unfortunate," assented Mrs. Ilamlyn "but she did her duty by the children."

By the wav," put in her brother, "has she taken the children with her? or what has become of them "They are out walking with the new gorornfl'ja. I am not sure if sho equals Miss Parkinson in all rospoete," musingly continued Mrs. llatnlyn, more interested naturally, than her brother in the governess question "but in music and French sho is decidedly superior. Nina's aooont shows tho difference already and Helen is really getting aultoastvlo on tho piano. Iler "fontost fault is. sh is too good looking."

A fault on tho right side," remark od locksley, smiling.

I don't agreo with you at all," returned Mrs. Gracio, rather sharply. "It would be much preferable if she wore plainer. But I must allow," sho added, "that sho shows no disposition to tako advantage of her leauty. llor manner Is as

correct

as Miss Parkinson's her-

I am heartily sorry to hoar it," irreverently replied Locksley. "But hark! they niUHt lmve coir.o bunk iiurol that Is Sana's brvak-neck style of oomfng up stairs."

There wa* a kind ofjlgdancei through tho passage, and then the door flow I open.

O mamma!—Why I Uncle Nod!— Nellie, Nellie, here's Cnclo Nod!" And Tneio Ned wan speedily made deaf and blind by tho extremely demonstrative welcome accorded to him by the children, while their mother looked on with an indulgent smile. ,, They have not seen him for so long I —It lit my brother, Mr. Lookslev, Miss

CoartooAV, who lias been—" Mrs. Hamlyn's explanation was never finished, lor her brother, who had begun extricate himself from Nina's cmbraces, finished the operation with a start, and turned to tho averted figure in the bark-ground.

MUs Courtenay!"

Mr. Locksley 1*' I did not know you were old acquaintances," remarked Mrs. Hamlyn, looking on. "Quito a surprise."

Quite," said Miss Court®nay, with a chilly little smile. "I was not aware that Mr. Locksley was your brother, and certainly did not expect to meet him again like this." "Nor I to moot Miss Courtenayso. And forgive my venturing to add that I am as sorry as surprised," continued Mr. Locksley, In a lower voice, meant only for her ears, bat which, nevertheless, reached the quick ones of pert little

Has Helen. "WeU, that's not very polite, Lncle Ned," Mid she, "to tell Mi* Courtenay you're sorry to meet her again."

Hot sorrv for the meeting, Helen, but for tb»«suse. Misa Courts nay no-

¥der*taixla."

I understand and thank you," Miss Ooartenay said* but in atone which robbed the acknowledgment of any amine ^gracfousnesa.

fit

Is probable that her

manners w«we eminently correct, for •sithey were certainly very cold. Mrs. Hamlyn loft her children to their laasona, and took her brother downsrtaira to her fitting —ocu

HI®

him safe there. Nor I," (spoken with the air of not finding the subject entertaining.) "Do you think her handsome?' (after pftUM.) "Very." The anawer WM decided, but given with an indifference that pievented its being disquieting. The next question was put with more curiosity than anxiety. "Do tell me under what circumstances you met her. Was she a governess then

On the contrary .she was an heiress. "An heiress! Really! I supposed she bad bad reverses, but she

loot

never

talks

about them." Unlike the late lamented." "Yes, that's true that was a great drawback with Miss Parkinson. I know nothing more tiresome than to have the people about one continually talking of having seen better days."

You

should prevent it by making

tiieir present days the best," said L/xiigJey. You do sav such queer things, Ned," said Mrs. Gracie, not quite following his drift. You're just as peculiar as ever, I SCO."

At another time he might have remarked that a short sojourn among the Sierras was hardly likely to change his mental structure as it was, ho turned away in silence, and, walking to the window, stood there looking out. But what ho saw there was a far different picture from the meaningless stuccowork and absurd littlo balconies of across the way—a picture having for background an old stone mansion, darkened witU years and mosses, looking down, from its height, far over rolling meadow lands and orchards, and the river glancing in and out between—an old house, with old elms about it, and before it a wide, level lawn, green with June turf and bright with June roses and, in the foreground, somewhat removed from tho rest of the merry party, two figures—a girl, with crisped, fair hair and arched, red lips, who stands leaning lightly on her mallet, with one slender

poised on tho croauet-ball,

her whole sunny faco kindled with a dangerous charm of coquetry as she lifts, her great, black-lashed, grey eyes to tho eyes looking down into them. And these two were Miss Courtenay and himself.

They had been something more than "old acquaintances hardly lovers, and yet something very like it. In that time past, scarcely yet a year ago. h!» looks and tones had told over and .crthe story he had never put into wor «. And that he had never put it into words was due to that same dangerous cliarin of coquetry. It was vory bewitching certainly, but a trifle alarming, too. The game was very pretty to watch, but he had no idea of his putting his heart at her mercy, to be played back and forth like the croquot-ball under her foot. He did not mean to lot her hold on him get too strong and, when he found it becoming so, ho took refuge in flight, and believed that sho would soon come to be to him like other fancies past and gone. But no other fancy had ever been like this, he had nover forgotten her, and this second mooting, under circumstances different, had moved him more than ho would havo cared to own He felt such a pity as ho thought of her misfortunes, such an impulse to let in some ray of sunshine on her life to thaw that littlo icy crust which had gathered about her alone in tho shade. She was cold and constrained with him now, naturally enough but ho would presently chango all that ho would bring her back to what she had been, frank, bright, bewitching, yes, coquettish, even—anything would be better than that "correctness" which his sister praised, and which was intolerable to him in its unliltoness to the dangerous charm

the girl ho had been, as he put

it to himself, so near falling iu love with. All of which, if ho could have accomplished it, would have been a very questionable service to Miss Courtenay, in her present position. But he could not As tho days went on, not one step nearer could ho get to her than on the tirsl. Ho saw her, indeed, constantly, making, as ho did, his home with his sister: but, for all the help that was to him, he might as well have

been

was

the most formal

of visitors. Without the slightest affectation or impoliteness, she quietly kept him at such a distance that he had not evon a chance to remonstrate—only onee, at least, and it was gone before he fairly realized that ho had it.

smoking alone in the hybrid

littlo apartment dignified in the Ilamlyn household by the name of library, when Miss Courtenay entered. From his position, sho did not see him uutil tho d»»or was closed then, as he sprang up, she half started back.

You are not going to run away because I happen to be nere. I hope Miss Courtonay," ho said, smiling. "If it is absolutely necessary that one ot us should go, let it be me!" Spite of which speech, however, ho made no corresponding movement.

Bnt Miss Courtenay. it appeared, had rlready repented of that first impulse. "Pray don't disturb yourself," she said "my errand here is merely to get a French book for Nina."

Pray allow me," ho said, opening the bookcase. "What WHS it you wanted and he took down the,volume she wanton.* but, instead of giving it to her, held It in his band, turning over a leaf here and there.

Miss Courtenay," ho said, suddenly, "do vou never think of old times?" Why should I not?" she answered,

But—you are so changed—"

I suppose we all change with time," said she. But all don't change into ice, do they?" said Lockslev.

That is a question I really cannot answer universal knowledge is not required from a governess," and the gr»v eyes were lifted for a moment with something of the old gleam in them. But directly, in the usual chilly tone •Olve me the book, please, Mr. locksley. Nina's lesson Is waiting." "Laura—^" he said, softly (she had been Laura to him in thoee days).

But, with a little impatient frown, "I beg vour pardon, but my time is not my own*" she said and bad taken the book from his hand, and retreating before he could gather his wits. And, after that Miss Courtenay's visits to the library were made at honrs when Mr. Locksley was known to be out of the bouse. So the weeks went, and he could find no Moond opportunity without a more direct advance than her reserve allowed, and so, after a time, he declared to himself that he no longer desired one that she was quit© changed from her old sell that she no longer interested him: and that he would leave her to play propriety undisturbed whleh threat he would, srbsps, undoubtedly have carried oat at for his sister.

Midsummer was coming on, and town, Mrs. Oracle declared, getting unendurable. Use leas to appe-J to Mr-Ham-lyo—by a pleasant legal fiction, he and Mrs. Hamlyn were supposed to be ow, but he was really and truly wedded to the ledgers and invoices and all the other austy ooonting-room parapher-1

TERRE FT A TTTE SATURDAY EVENING MAIXFC

trjsn

to request the same favor or a Cherokee

chief" on the war-trail. Mrs. Hamlyn knew thia only too well bnt, as sho said, "It was so stupid going off alone! Now, why cant you come with us, Ned she concluded, "do, now, there's dear boy!" "Well, Gracie," said Locksley, after some deliberation, "I will, to please you, on one condition: that you don't go to Saratoga, or Newport, or the White Hills, or to any of those fashionable man-traps but just find out some quiet country-placo where wo can call our souls ana our bodies our own."

Mrs. Hamlvn gave one sigh to the feminine vanities to be renounced, but oonsoled herself by tho reflection that such a place as her brother insisted on would bo tho very best thing for tho children. "And I do believe," she cried, in another minute, know exactly the place for us—Black Harbor Mrs. Tannant took her invalid sister there last year the air is magnifioent, sho says, and it's quiet as the grave—" "Cheerful placo for an Invalid parenthesized Locksley. "And I dare say'" continued his sister, absorbed in her plans, "we could be accommodated in the same farm-houso whore they staid. Lot ino see, what room shall we want? There'll be Miss Courtney and the children, you, I, and Augusta Lollard—" "Miss Lollard is going with us?" inquired Edward Lacklev, quietly enough, but with a certain gleam in his eye, which, for some reason or other, appeared to disconcert his sister. "Yes then after a pause, "what on earth is there against her going!" "Nothing on earth or in heaven against it, so far as I know," replied Locksloy, carelessly "I merely asked the question."

A short time found tho party safely established on the terra incognita, ana proved to them the truth of Mrs. Tennant's description. Black Harbor has not yet been "discovered," in the fashionable acceptation of the term. One may lie on the cliffs for hours together, with no other voices in his ear than the murmur of wind and wave, no other moveuient before his eyes than tho sailing cloud and tho shifting sea—may lie there, if hunger will let him, from morning till night, without having his attention called to the flight of time by that rotation of toilet which, at a fashionable wat r«ng place, marks the hour almt st as accurately as the sun-dial, As a change, this pleased Locksley amazingly. So it did the two Hanalyn children, who could scramble and shout on the rocks to their hearts' content. Whether their mother and their mother's friend, Miss Lollard, were equally satisiied, is another question.

Miss Augusta Lollord was a very pretty and a very persistent young woman, and that she was still Miss Augusta Lollard was neither her own fault nor that of numerous admirers. Perhaps, if it had been closely inquired into, the fault might havo been found at tho door of Edward Locksley, Esq. It c?rtainly was not at Mrs. Hamlyn's. Sho hail done her utmost, and it was her greatest chagrin that tho strings would not work at her pulling. And now a strango puppet, over whom she had no control whatever, had intruded on the scene. Thisunwclctome puppet's iiamo was Georgo Hasting, who, as Mrs. Hamlyn lamented, had followed Augusta Lollard to Black Hurbor, thereby deranging all those careful combinations from which the plotter had hoped so much in theso few precious weeks of isolation.

George Hastings was Miss Lollard's cousin. Mrs. Hamlyn said he wanted to marry her. Doubtless ho did, and it was fcr her sake he staid so contontedly in tho wilds of Black Harbor for her sake, also, doubtless, that ho exorted himself to bo so civil to Miss Courtenay. For who does not know how tho discord of a single member may destroy the harmony of a whole party? George Hastings was ceidently Dent on preventing so undesirable a result.

Mrs. Hamlyn, for reasons of her own, winked at these civilities of Mr. Hastings to tho governess. Tho governess did more than wink—she shut her eyes to them. As she had ignored Edward Locksley before, so shu ignored George Hastings now.. She coulunot shun him bodily, for sho must come and go at tho bidding of another but, though her movements were not her own, her perceptions were, and, it she chose to turn theso inward and abide in darkness, there was nothing in the world that could prevent her.

That was what she was doing, somewhat more literally than usual, to-night. It was a moonlight night! That is easily said but there is moonlight and moonlight, and any attempt to convey in words the flood of splondor which poured from this moon, would belike trying to picture tho ocean In a storm with a piece of chalk and a black-board. They wore all on the piazza together but, while tho rest gave themselves the full enjoyment of tho moonshine, Mlu Courtenay sat a little withdrawn in the vine-draped corner—a kind of shadow in the shade. -Well," said Mrs. Hamlyn, breaking a pause, "Saratoga and Newport are very well in their way, but it was worth coming here, wasn't it, to get this uioon "Why, do you think, then, Oracle, laughed LocKsley. "that Black Harbor has a moon all to Itself? "Now, there vou have answered your »wn question, Locksley," put In Georgo Hastings. "That's just it, Black Harbor has a moon all to itaelf, while at Saratoga and Newport it is dividod among ao many as not to bo worth reckoning/' "Now fact in astronomy, discovered by the celebrated astrologer Hastings! And is that why yon came to Black Harbor, to study the planets?" con tinued Locksley, with a quinical glance, not thrown away on its recipient. "Why I remain, perhaps, but not why I came," said he. "That, If you must know, was pure curiosity. Impowlble to pass this rock-bound coast on m/

**^is Black Harbor on the way to any wherr mumivred Locksley, Incredulously. "Without Musing to Inquire after the health of Robinson Crusoe interesting

f*"Which

interested you to that degree

that you concluded to remain as Man Friday, tor by right of priority, I claim to be Crusoe myself." "You may be Crusoe if yon like, bat I be* vou won't fiwten such an unlocky naine on me. I'll have nothing to do with Friday In any shape." "Why, Mr. Hastings, I should never have thought that of yon! cried literal Mrs. Hamtyn. "But I believe somebody ha« aala wo all have our pet superstition." "Somebody was very moderate, then,"

replied George "I have a great many of all aorta." .. "Tell ua some of them, George," Mid his cousin. "Do vou believe In 'the magic of the moon,1 for instance? "Ask a oonltneed astrologer if be believes in the moon!" exclaimed loco-

ley. I have no doubt he can cast horoscopes himself." "Certainly I can." said George, gravely. "I have all aorta of diabolical knowledge, from Astrology down to common fortune-telling." "Charming!" cried Miss Lollard, c!apj»ing her hands. "Then begin now and Tell us ours. Here we are, all ready. "All but Miss Courtenay." said George, peering forward, not for the first time, into the vine-shadows, "who persists in denying us the light of her countenance and herself the light of the moon. Why do y»u do it, Miss Courtenay Why do you keep in theahade?" "Some people are better in the shade, replied Miss Courtenay, with a gayer ring than usual in her voice. "On tho principle of contraries. I suppose," said Hastings. "Well, there is no accounting for tastes," said Miss Lollard, with a sort of littlo shiver, "but, for my part, I like the light and detest the shade." "Fortunately, you are not likely to have much of the latter," said Locksley, on whom Laura Courtensy's tone had not been lost. "Also, on the principle of contraries,

I presume," rather poutingly, said Miss Loilard. "No, on the truer principle of like to like. I don't profess to be a fcrtuneteller like your cousin," he continued, "but I think I oould guess at yours,' and he touched with his the diamondringed fingers twinkling iu the moon-

*"Go on, Locksley," said Hastings, gravely "we.are all deaf and t)llnd here." "I know"—and there Locksley stopped short, for a sudden wind-gust had lifted a vine-branch aside, and for a breath's space ho had seemed to see Laura Courtenay's eyes, fixed on him, with tears in them.

MI.d

You do notseem very certain of your own mind to-night," she interrupted his stammering "perhaps because you aro as sleepy as I am."

It was no great compliment to avow her sleepiness in his society, and he hardly know how to answer. Nor, had ho known, was there time, for the two ladles came up, and thoy all went in and wont to bed.

That is, the others did as for Locksley, ho was In no mood for rest he was angry with himself for what ho had said to Miss Lollard, and with Miss Courtenay for what sho had said to him at odds with her, himself, and tho.world at large. So.be sat up smoking and staring at tho moon, instead of enjoying that sweet slumber which visits innocent pillows.

It was only a day or two later that, strolling up a bushy green lane beside tho farm-house, ho came suddenly face to faco with Miss Courtenay. This time there was no mistake about the tears in her oyes, nor about the agitation of her face.

Is this moonlight, too?" be coold not resist saying, but, before be could add another word— ...

Don't *t'p me—don't stop me I" she cried, almost wildly, and slipping paat him, was out of sight in an instant. could have been the matter? The question absorbed him so that presently he failed to notice that his sister's face, too, wore a look of worry.

Oh, dear, what a vexatious world this in!"she sighed at length. "What rose-ieaf has doubled up now be asked, absently.

It's nothing to jast about, Ned. I I shall hate to have to part with Miss Courtenay." "Part with Miss Courtenay!" Mr. Locksley wa» wide enough awake now.

But why in the world abouid you Well—you see, dear Augusta and she don't quite get on together. It's very trying, with Nina's French, and Helen getting such a good style," continued Mrs. Ilamlyn, plaintively, "but I have no choice."

You have the alternative. Part with dear Augusta," aaid Uwtaley, ooolly: then, as his sister looked pooled and indignant—"But, never mind just Wll me, if yon can, why Augusta Lollard don't get on with Miss Courtenay? Ootne Gracie," as she looked mysterious, "since you have aaid ao mudh, you might as well say more—and perhaps I may hit otrsome plan to help you, who knows."

Well," began Mr*. Hamlyn again, hesitatingly, "the feet la, Augusta fancies—it's nothing but fancy, as I tell her, but she won't be persuaded—she thinks Mr. Hastings is inclined to be attentive to Miss Courtenay, and, of, course, she is anno

Whyanooytsd?" int«rniptedlxx5k»"Does abe want him herself No, of course not! but'naturally she wouldn't like such a match for her cousin—"

Oh Well, go on." as,abe saw them her oat and so, got Miss Ooartenay alone, she —Augusta to high-spirited, and—I fimcy she spoke pretty plalai jr

"OH! well, goon* "WeU, to-day It see together, and that pot when she got Miss Oou

•'Delicate Locksloy, study.

a look of pain

and reproach on her pale face. Ihen the vision fell into the shadow again. "Yon were saying—? suggested Miss Lollard, as he continued silent. "I don't know,"vaguely replied Locks lev, who had indeed no longer any idea of"what ho was saying. "Singular correlation the first part of your sentence forms to tho last," remarked Hastings, laughing.

know

I don't know?' Wei!, to know one's ignorance is the first condition of wisdom." "Is it, really, Mr. Hastings said Mrs. Hamlyn. "And what is the second?" "To know when to go," answered Has igs, rising and tossing away his cigar end, "which shows that even I have

ting?, rising and tossing away his cigarend, "which shows that oven I have some feeble glimmering of mind for, I know I do know it is time for me to take mvself off. Will you walk down the road with me, Locksley? No? lazy fellow Well, good-night, then good night, Mrs. Hamlyn good-night, Gussie good-night, Miss Courtonay—don't let me talk you out of tho shadow in a tone which sounded much more like "Do let me take you out of all shadow!"

Miss Courtenay had risen with the rest, but when the two other ladies strolled down to the gate with Mr. Hastings, she resumed her seat. After a moment, Locksley came up, and stood leaning against the pillar beside her. "What a magnificent night!" ho said, uttering tho commonplace words in what he strove to make a commonplace tone. "Yes, indeed." and Miss Courtenay's tone was commonplace enough. "One seldom soes such moonlight. Only look at tho sheen on that meadow over there. One might fancy it a lake."

Moonlight

is very deceptive," she

replied, with a certain apathy that suggested a lack of interest in tho conversation.

Fen//" said he, significantly, stung by her manner. "Do you know, it almost made me fancy I saw tears in your eyes a littlo white ago." "Tears in my eyes!" sho repeated turning them full on him, nothing but a kincf of mocking surprise in them now. "And pray, what did you fancy brought them there? Did you think I was crying for the moon, like a spoiled child?" "I thought-that is, I fancied—I hoped—"

Nod!" said his sister, presently. "WeU?" Did yon really mean what you said about helping me?"

Why, eertainly, I would if I could—" You could if you would." put in Mia. Hamlyn, so significantly that he watted with some curiosity fbr her to explalu herself.

You know," she continued, rather haltingly, "I have planned—that ia, hoped, for ever so long, you and Augusta would make a match. And I am sure she—that is, I dont think she dislikes you why should she? She has seen so much of you, my "brother, too and then you know, Ned, you are not a bad—"

Enough, Gracie," interrupted her brother, laughing. "No need or so much apology for such a flattering hint. Consider my delicate sense of propriety appeased, and come to the point.1'

She came to the point with ajump. Well, then, if you would offer yourself to Augusta, she would be too much pleased to Dother about Mr. Hasting* or anything else." "You overwhelm me! I must consider your suggestion," said Locksley, coolly, as he rose. "So that was the cause of tho tears? I wonder if it will influence her answer to Hasting's pi sal when it comes, as oome it will," he said to himself, and, perhaps with a view to gaining some light on the question, ho went out on the plaxa, and looked about for Miss Courtenay. But sho was not visible, neither then nor during the remainder of the day. A headache—which feminine stalkinghorse Miss Courtenay, to do her justice, rarely made use of—excused her from leaving her room, so that Locksley had to defer whatever plan he had formedjof satisfying his curiosity.

But the next day gave him his revenge. He found the governess on the cliffs, overlooking tho gambols of Nina and Helen near by. She could not leave the children, consequently she could not leave the children's uncle, as she looked very much inclined to do. He hastened to improve the position, bavins resolved on a bold game.

Miss Courtenay," he said, in a low voice, "I beg your pardon most sincerely for speaking as I did yesterday* When you wore so agitated, too—and no wonder!" Then, as she remained silent: ',You see, I know all about it now."

She turned her taco toward him, with a singular mixture of annoyance and appronension on it. •'Those were most uncalled-for remarks of Miss Lollard's," he resumed, ignoring the fact that his own at present might thus bo qualified "about Mr. Hastings."

The apprehension faded all atonco out of her face, leaving a look almost of rolief instead.

Ah, so it was not that," thought the quick-witted observer and then, with a sudden change of tactics, ho risked his trump. "May I ask, Miss Courtenay, what Miss Lollard was good enough to ask about me

This time tho faco was turned away, and it was flushed I—really excuse me, Mr. Locksley, but my

private

egt

affairs can hardly inter-

Excuse me, but as they seem to have become complicated with my private affairs—however, I noed scarcely trouble you to answer I fancy I can make a tolerably clear resume—now, Miss Courtonay, since you havo let Miss Lollard speak for mo, j'ou can't in common justice, refuso to lot mo speak for myself."

And it would appear that his speaking was to some effect, inasmuch as Miss Coartonay was presently hoard to remark, hesitatingly, "But your sister has set her heart on your marrying Miss Lollard."

And I havo set mine on marrying Miss Courtenay. 1 lam ly sent to your marrying her governess,

But Mrs. ilamlyn would never con

Ono would think Mrs. Hamlyn was my governess 1" rejoined Locksloy, rather impatiently. And then tho special pleading was renewed. And Miss Courtenay looked as if sho did not And tho undo of his nieces so very objoctlonablo after all. "And what answer shall you' give Hastings, Laura?" sskod Locksley, gravely, after a pause.

I shall refer him to you," replied Laura with equal gravity. In loco parentis And then they both laughed, just as if it was not any thing but a joke for poor George Hastings, who was very much in earnest, and deser.ed better treatment. But then lovers novor havo any heart except lor each other. Besides, Laura Courtonay was just now thoughtlessly happy, for had ske not loved from the very first this man beside her, whom she had believed lost to her forever, and who had just broken down tho double barriers of pride and misunderstanding.

Gracie." aaid Locksley, later, to his sister, "I nave solved your dilemma. I have proposed—" "Yon dear, good boy!" cried Mrs. Oracle, in ecstasy.

And. what is

And, what is more, have been ac-

eepted.

Not much doubt about that!" said Mrs. Hamlyn, unable to resist launching this little feminine shaft at her friend.

I can assure you I had some very uncomfortable doubts. But love is blind they say."

So it all comes round just as I planned," sighed t"he little lady, con ten todAnd now I can keep Miss Courte* iynay

Why, no, you can't," said her brother, "for I wan't ber myself." What on earth do you mean, Ned

And then be told ber all, and resigned himself with what patience be might to bis mauvaiM quart drheure.

Didn't I say it was ber greatest fault she was too good-looking!" said Mrs. Hamlyn, plaintively, at last.

And didn't I say it waa a fault on the right side?" returned her brother, laughing. "Come now, Gracie, don't take it hard. Naturally I want to marry to please myself, but it won't please me entirely unless you will agree to be pleased, too."

And after awhile she did agree, as be knew she would. For Mrs. Gracie, if a shallow, was by no means a bad-natured woman, and very fond and proud of her brother, in spite of what she called his whims. So finally she gave not only her consent, but ber blessing, so to say, to the projected match, and was quite prepared in alt kindness to be a mother to the bride tUl such time as she shonld become her sister.

Locksley'* wedding tour was not taken In Europe, nor yet in Asia, Africa* or any other foreign continent for he bad a notion that his own wss large enough for the purpose so the journey began and ended in America—ended, moreover, la the country, on the lawn of an old bouse with old elms about it, and a rolling panorama of wood and water and meadow-land below. ... ... "DO yoa think, Mrs, Ixxjksley be aid, gravely,to his the carriage cLiove up the familiar avenue, "tbaU^ with your spirit of dissipa

tion, you can manage to get through some part of the year in these wile with no better company than mine? What,orying already?" as she glanoed up at him with eyes that had a happy mist over them. "Well, that is a Dad beginning. Still I won't quarrel with your tears, considering that, if I hadn't happened to see them one moonshiny night, perhaps we should never have been here together so."

Oh," said abe, gayly with one of those quick transitions that belonged to the Laura of the old days, "you are very fond of bringing up that moonshiny night, but what you are pleased te oall my 'unbappiness' then was all moonshine, you know."

Indeed!" said he. "And your present happiness, is that all moonshine, too*"

She looked up into his feoe mischievously, with the tears still hanging on her lashes. "Yes," she laughed, '•honeymoonshine."

And then he Ufted her out of tho carriage, and led her through tho door of the old home that had closed on Laura Oaurtenay. and now opened again to Laura Lcoksley.

KATK PUTNAM OSGOOD.

THE MAN WHO LINGERS. You all can number one of such like among your acquaintances. He soems to have some magical attachment fbr that small space of this rolling ball upon which ho chances to plant his form. He lingers down town, he lingers up town ne takes possession of/rtraren vestibules of street corners, VS it rain. or shine, dew or hail, he leans against a wall with both hands thrust into his pockets, hat tilted over his nose gust like the present style for young ladies,) and out-lingers the most lingering. He sometimes appeal youth in good so

rs in tho rui of a society, and woo to the

poor girl who is so unfortunate as to secure an occasional visit. It ends in a visitation scarcely to bo endured.

Ten o'clock cojnes, still ho lingors, notwithstanding sundry coughs on the part of amiable paterfamilios, and a warning drop of her shoe by materfhmilias In the room abovo. Eleven o'clock chimes—no signs of doparturo. Young lady fidgets in ber chair glances ostentatiously at her watch remarks on tho beauty of the night without, and on the facility of pedestrlauizing. No stir on tho part of the lingerer. Young lady grows desperate, gets up and pokes the fire wonders if it will need covering shuts tho piano, arranges tho furniture, and then stands waiting, "not among tho golden shoavos," but by tho parlor door. At length, after a few more such gentle, undctnonstratlvo hints, tho youth arisos slowly. Young lady's spirits rise with tlio volubility of ether. She talks cheerfully, and the youth, thus encouraged, reseats liimsolf In an easy position, while the young lady pulls the curl out of tho poodle fringe on her forehead, yawns audibly, and feels very much inclined to say "darn." Happily for tho good oxample of the fair sox, she represses the wicked word, and contents nersolfby looking as stupid as possiblo. Then ho starts up once more, and again tho young lady's spirits rise, this tlmo not so rapidly as before, but actually—yes! ho does roach for his coat. Ho lingers fivo minutes over the operation of putting two arms into sleeves then threo minutes over his hat. Then he talks ten minutes with the front door open and a cold stream of air rushing in. After tho door is closod, ho stands with his hand on tho knob until ho hoard tho bolt glido into tho socket then, mirabile dicta ho goes just as tho bell chimes twolvo whilo tho young lady hastily puts out tho lights for fear he may return and linger. We verily beliove If ho were invited into heaven, ho would stand at tho half-open portal, parleying with tho angel until the timo was past and tho door was closed.

THE DEAH OLD FRIEND. [Danbury News.] A wtfo when sho has received suitable notice can get up an excellent dinner for her husband's friend. Sho doos her level best, working without stint uutil a repast which pleases her In ovory particular is spread. Then the following conversation takes placo with tho guest:

I hope you'll bo ablo to make out a meal." I shall do nicely, I know," ho says.

I'm really ashamed of tho tablo," sho rattles on. "Why. you needn't bo," he protests.

But it's all his fault." sho explains, nodding toward hor husband. "Ho never gives mo any warning scarcely, and it's such warm .weather now that there is nothing you can keop on band for an emergency."

Why, you've done nobly, I think couldn't havo done bettor." ussorts tho guest, beginning to lo»o his interest in tho topic. (), I hope you don't think this anyif dinner," sho says, looking tho spread, up again, and lot me know beforehand, and I'll promise yoa something decent to cat."

*fl

thing of uiiiuvi. with anxious pride "You must como up a

I'm sure this can't be boaten," protests the guest with a sense of becoming depressed.

O, bless mo, this is nothing but a

Kave

ick-up dinner. Just tho same as we'd il alone. Do try another biscuit I don't suppose thoy are fit to eat,though," she says, with increased anxiety, as sho observes their delicate color and flaky texture. "They are beautiful," he hastily explains, feeling very uncomfortable the while. "Yotl must take tho will for tho deed," she resumes. "I didn't see we were out of bread till the last momont, and then I hastily made up tbeso. I didn't think they'd be half way decent, as there was no time to work them.'

And so she rattles on with her disastrous comments, the dear old fraud, while be continues to protest, and continues to feel more a'nd more like getting up and flying madly away.

NEW AMUSEMENTS.

Two new parlor amusements aro thus described: Two plsyers aro closely blinded with a bandage made of their pocket handkerchief^. Each one is provided with a saucer full of cake or cracker crumbs, which la held in the left hand, and a spoon, which is held in the right hand. A sheet Is spread upon the floor, upon which the players sit, and at a given signal tbey begin to feed each other. Their effort* to find each other's mouths with their spoons never fail to afford much sport. Another amusing experiment is to try to blow out a candle blindfolded. The candle is placed upon a table, up to which the player is first led be then walks back six steps, turns around threo times, and walks forward as nearly in the direction of tho candle its possible, and tries to blow it out. If he happens to wandor to the wrong part 6f the room, tho offect of the blowing Is very funny.

FEMALE CENSUS TAKERS. Mrs. Jenny Potter enumerated the population of Martinsville, Ind.„ in two and a-half days at a cost of ft). The work is usually performed by a man at a cost of thirty dollars.