THAT HORRID MISS LEIGH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 1891, 25 March 1874, Page 4

THAT HORRID MISS LEIGH.

r* (Concluded.} " I want to know if you're quite determined not to marry Miss Leigh ?" I am," he replied, looking steadily at her, and tapping his teeth with her H.B. pencil. " t-ince when ? " he hesitated. " Since when ? " she repeated, imperiously. Tom began to dig little holes with his stick. " Well, within the last few days," he said at last. If he had been looking at her, he might have seen the smile and blush of pleasure ■which lit up her face as he spoke. " You see,'* he c< ntinued, " it is my father's marriage, not mine ; and a man likes to choose his own •wife. I dare say there's no real harm in the young person. If she'B your friend, it speaks well for her, but still " " But still what ; you've never seen her ; how can you tell you won't like her ? " m.Tom became more than ever absorbed in bis excavations. " The truth is," he blurted out between the digs, " the truth is that lately, quite lately, I think I've seen the only girl I shall ever care to ask to be my wife," and he looked suddenly up at her. She rose confused, began to consult her watch earnestly. " I must go, really. Please give me my things. This is the park boundary, so I "won't trouble you any more." She sprang over the stile as she spoke, interposing it between them as they said adieu. " When shall I see you again ? " he asked, as he held her hand at parting. She allowed it to linger in his as she answered — " Oh, soon, I dare say ; perhaps when you least expect it." And gently returning the pressure of his band, she turned away. After a few steps she looked back. " Any message to Miss Leigh ? " she asked, mockingly. " Oh, confound Miss Leigh 1 " growled Tom, " I wish she was in Otabeite." Then, seating himself on the Btile, he lit a cigar and watched her graceful figure till he could see it no longer. Suddenly he smote his thigh — "By Jove! I never got her name after all," he said. Immediately on arriving at his inn he commenced a cross-examination of his hostess, by which he learned two facts. Firstly, that Newlands was the property of Sir John Turnbull ; and secondly, that there were two young ladies staying there, Miss Leigh and JMiss Harding. Next day saw him speeding in- a hansom from Faddington to his father's house in Brook street, intent on destroying that worthy old gentleman's peace of mind by the announcement of his determination to give up Miss Leigh and Hillingdon. •" Is my father in, Simms?" he asked of the butler, when that functionary appeared to attended his young master. " No, sir ; Mr Luttrell went out with Mr Leigh just after lunch." "Mr Leigh !— is he here ? " " Yes, sir ; Mr and Miss Leigh arrived this morning from the country." . " The deuce 1 " said Tom ; " they seem to haunt me wherever I go," and he retired precipitately into his own den. " Bring me something to eat here, Simms ; and don't let Miss Leigh know that I am in the house." By the time he had finished his lunch his mind was made up. Selecting a hugelycrested sheet of stiff note-paper, so as to give the document an offlc al character, he sat down, squared bis elbows, and prepared to write; • The following epistle Was the result Of his efforts : — "MydearMisß Leigh, — For the first time I address you personally, though you doubtless muse have been for some time aware of the link which in some way connects us. The time has now arrived when a decision must be made as tc our future — whether we shall go through life together, or separate at once and for ever. I will not conceal from you, my dear Miss Leigh, that for many years I have looked on you as my destined bride, and have considered myself fortunate in the prospect of an aliance with one of whose beauty and goodness I have heard so much. It is but quite recently I have discovered that my heart is no longer mine to dispose of, and I now feel that to urge you to fulfil our engagement would be to ensure a life of misery for both of us. Let us, then, separate without a personal interview, which would only cause unnecessary embarrassment. As 10 Hillingdon, I resign it to you willingly, feeling sure that you will make a better mistress there than ever I should master. Trusting, then, some day to meet you as the bride of one more worthy to! possess you than myself— l am, dear Miss 1 Leigh, your sincere friend, " TIIOS. CUKZON LUTTEELL." " That'll do, I think ; I hope it won't smell of tobacco. Simms," as that worthy answered the bell," take this to Miss Leigh, with my compliments." t-imms was too well trained to show surprise at anything j he bowed and went. In ten minutes he returned. "Miss Leigh's compliments, sir, and would you speak to her in the drawiDg-room ?" "Oh, haDg her!" said Tom; but there was no escape. The drawing-room was darkened to exclude the afternoon sun, but Tom discovered a white figure at the far end, which rose and bowed as he advanced. "lam delighted, Miss Leigh," he began, Hto hare the pleasure— Hulloa ! Miss Harding ? You here ? " 'I Miss who ? " said the laughing voice of his Settlebourne friend; "I am not Miss. Harding;" ";Th'en who in the name of good icss aie you? "he demanded, eagerly. She looked down demurely. " I'm that horrid Miss Leigh, as you called me the other day." Tom Bat down and stared at her ; prtpeatly be broke into a great laugh.

" Ob, it's all very well to langh," she said in an injured tone. In a moment more be was kneeling by her chair, looking up into her eyes. "Miss Leigh — Nellie ■" " I told you not to call me Nellie, yesterday," she Baid, tartly. " Yes, but yesterday isn't to-day ; we're engaged now." " Engaged, sir ? What, after this ? " " Oh, hang the letter 1 You know I love you to distraction. You are your own only rival in my love, and you will marry me, dear, won't you ? " " Certainly not. You ?aid I was fat and slangy, and that Elillingdon would be a cheip price to pay to be rid of me. And then this letter ! Let go my hand— how dare you, , sir ? Be quiet, Mr Luttrell ! Tom don't ! " But Tom was not to be denied. After this spirited resistance Miss Leigh surrendered ignominiously. " Tom," she whispered, as her head lay on his shoulder, " do you really care for me ? " (Kisses and protestations.) " And you really want to marry me ? " (More kisses and protestations.) " Then," and her voice sank lower yet, " then- take down the card, for I'm let to a single gentleman."