KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



you know my wife, at least, I mean you have 

 seen her." The Captain nodded an affirma- 

 tive. "Well, if you have, you must be 

 aware that a more lovely creature never 

 trod the earth, a more delightful Houri never 

 blessed mortal ! I will not enlarge upon her 

 perfections, 'tis enough to say, that until this 

 day, I have 'been the happiest of the happy 

 Not a cloud has dimmed the bright sunshine 

 of our loves, we have existed solely for each 

 other." 



"Don't hurry so, old fellow," suggested 

 the Captain, " you're out of breath already." 



"Do not interrupt me, I implore. This 

 morning, actuated by a sudden impulse, I 

 strolled towards Hyde Park. It might be 

 twelve o'clock, perhaps a little later. Nearly 

 opposite Grosvenor (late, I saw — oh Lacy ! 

 too plainly — her, the idol of my soul, 

 exchanging fond vows of affections with a 

 common soldier." 



"It is disagreeable, really!" exclaimed 

 Captain Lacy. " But are you sure it was 

 she?" 



a Certain ; the bonnet I could not mistake, 

 'twas my own present." 



"The bonnet! why; didn't you see her 

 face?" 



" No, no ! I could not meet her glance. 

 But hear me out ; enraged, and in a state of 

 mind bordering on madness, I returned home ; 

 there she sat, Lacy, looking as innocent as a 

 smiling infant. I did keep my temper, and 

 forebore to tax her, but it was an effort. I 

 replied coldly to her hypocritical inquiries 

 after my health, complained of a slight head- 

 ache, and left the house, ostensibly for the 

 sake of a little fresh air, but really to con- 

 sult you.'' 



" Me, my dear fellow ! I can give you no 

 advice. If my services as a friend should be 

 of any avail, the case would be different ; but 

 in this business, positively I am at a nonplus. 



" I don't wish to expose my wife, of course," 

 proceeded Mr. Lennox, " but as to living in 

 the same house with her, I can't. Confusion 

 seize all green silk bonnets ! But I oughtn't 

 to stay here, wasting your valuable time, 

 Lacy." 



"Valuable! gracious goodness, my dear 

 friend, what do you mean ? Never was 

 there a being on the face of the earth so 

 troubled with ennui as I am ; I have seriously 

 nothing to do, except lounging about the 

 park, or looking in at the Opera now and 

 then. 'Gad ! I've lately had thoughts of 



taking a trip over to 



Spam, 



to start an 



Opposition Legion. But as to your affair ; 

 take my advice, and wait quietly for a day 

 or two. I'll set my emissaries to work, 

 and find out the companion of your faithless 

 one. I'll lay any odds it's one of our fellows, 

 they're such fine, well-made,! strapping dogs." 

 "Let me but find him," exclaimed Mr. 



Lennox, shaking his fist violently, " that's all 

 I ask !" 



" I wish you may," replied Captain Lacy. 

 "Adieu!" 



" What fools men are to marry !" solilo - 

 quised the young militaire, when the bang - 

 ing of the hall-door assured him of his 

 visitor's departure. " I can't think what their 

 object can be. Tying one-self up with a 

 wife, indeed! I'd sooner be tied up to the 

 halberts." And the Captain whistled " Vive 

 tu." 



" If you please Sir," ejaculated a timid 

 voice at the door, behind which Mr. Thomas, 

 afraid of another boot-jack, concealed him- 

 self, " Sergeant Jones is down stairs." 



" Tell him to walk up, and hark ye, you 

 rascal, don't stand lurking in the passage 

 another time, or I'll stop your wages." 



" Well, Jones," pursued Captain Lacy, as 

 a red-faced, comfortable-looking individual 

 appeared, "any news?" 



" None, your honor ; indeed, to tell your 

 honor the truth, I have not been to barracks 

 this morning. The fact is, Sir, I have a 

 sweetheart, and I made an appointment in the 

 Park with the young 'oman, a tarnation nice 

 gal ; and your honor knows it's next to im- 

 possible for a sergeant to disappoint the 

 fair." 



" Diable !" murmured the Captain. " Can 

 it be? No, 'tis too absurd." 



" Now, your honor," continued Sergeant 

 Jones, looking as penitent as he could 

 under any circumstances, " I hope you 

 won't blab. The truth is, she don't like 

 millingtary men, but my rank and perspec- 

 tive promotion have"overcome her screwpills. 

 'Deed, as I said to her this blessed morning, 

 why should a milliner militate against a 

 militaire ?" 



" Milliner !" 



" Yes, your honor, a nice young 'oman as 

 ever breathed the fresh air ; she belongs to a 

 French Madam, who keeps a large magazine, 

 as they call it. Her name's Louisa. Per- 

 haps your honor would let me have the after- 

 noon to myself, if convenient ?" 



" Yes — let me see, I don't think there's 

 anything else, but call again at seven. Stay, 

 what is the French woman's name ?" 



" Can't say, Sir ; something very outland- 

 ish. But, Sir, Captain Lacy, you won't peach, 

 will you ?" 



" Not I. There, get away, and console 

 your inamorata." 



"In — what your honor ?" 



"Your sweetheart." 



" Yes, your honor, thank your honor." 

 * * % # * 



(To he Concluded in our next.) 



Tub Science op Love is the philosophy of 

 the Heart. 



