From Bentley's Miscellany.
TOM ELLIOT'S PRIZE.

I.

MRS. AGATHA NEEDHAM had lived in her house in the good old city of Nearford all her life, which was by no means a definite number of years, her own register saying forty-nine, and that of her baptism sixtythree. A niece of Mrs. Agatha's (she was a maiden lady, and only "Mrs." by courtesy) was the wife of a country clergyman, and one of that lady's sons, a medical student, came to Nearford to be inmate of Mrs. Agatha's, whilst he "improved" himself under Mr. Dicks, an eminent surgeon, attached to Nearford Infirmary. Mrs. Agatha, in correspondence with his parents, had stipulated, before she would admit him, for his observing certain conditions- that he would never smoke, would never speak to her two maid-servants, except in her presence, would always be in by ten o'clock at night, and in bed by half-past. To all of which Mr. Thomas Elliot vowed obedience, and said they were the exact rules he had laid down for himself. So Mrs. Agatha consented to receive him, and he arrived. A dashing young man of twenty-one, showy in dress, free in manner, but the pink of quiet propriety in the presence of Mrs. Agatha. He speedily became popular in Nearford, and Mrs. Agatha grew intensely proud of him.

My dear Thomas," she exclaimed to him, one morning at breakfast, "what an extraordinary smell of tobacco-smoke pervades the house when you are in it."

"It does, ma'am; it's highly disagreeable. Nearly makes me sick sometimes.' "But what can it proceed from, Thomas?" pursued Mrs. Agatha, sniffing very much over her muffin. "You assure me you do

not smoke."

"I smoke!" echoed Mr. Tom. "I touch a filthy cigar! It comes from my clothes." "How does it get into them?" wondered Mrs. Agatha.

"They are such a set, aunt, at that infirmary-have cigars in their mouths from morning till night. Sometimes I can't see across our dissecting-room for the smoke. Of course my clothes get impregnated with

it."

"Dear me, Thomas, how sorry I am for you! But don't talk about dissecting-rooms, if you please. The smell must also get into your eyes, and hair, and whiskers!

Suppose you were to get some lumps of camphor, and sew them in your pockets, suggested Mrs. Needham. "If it keeps fevers from the frame, it may keep tobaccosmoke from clothes. Get sixpen'orth, Thomas."

"I'll get a shilling's worth," said Tom. "Though I fear its properties don't reach smoke.

"O, Thomas, I forgot. Did you hear the noise in the house last night?

"Noise?" responded Mr. Tom. "A noise on the stairs, like somebody bumping up them. It was just two o'clock, for I heard the clock strike. When Racheĺ came to dress me this morning, she said it must have been Minny racing after the mice. But I never heard her make such a noise before. I hope it did not disturb you?"

"Not at all, aunt, "answered Tom, burying his face in his handkerchief; " I never woke till half an hour ago. Cats do make an awful noise sometimes. I'm off to the infirmary."

"And you have eaten no breakfast! I can't think what the lad lives upon.

In the hall, as Mr. Thomas was dashing across it, he encountered the housemaid, a pretty girl with cherry cheeks.

"Look here, sir," she said- -"look what we picked up this morning. If mistress had found it, instead of me and cook, whatever would you have done?”

"My latch-key! I must have dropped it when I came in, in the night, and never missed it. But after a punch jollification, following on a tripe supper, one's perceptive faculties are apt to be obscured. That's a fact undisputed in physics, Rachel, my dear." And as Tom dropped the latch-key into his pocket, he acknowledged his obligation to the finder in a way of his own. "The governors of the infirmary ought to "Now, Mr. Thomas,' "" remonstrated be reported to the lord-lieutenant," cried | Rachel, "I have threatened fifty times that

"So it does, uncommon strong. But I douse my head into the big basin in a morning, and that takes it off."

Just as the incorrigible Tom walked off, "Annihilate the Thompsons!" interrupMrs. Agatha Needham opened the breakfast-ted Elliot; "the one 's cross-eyed, and the room door, and down dropped the maid upon other's sickly. D'ye think I don't know her hands and knees, and began rubbing the Thompson girls? These were strangers. away at the oilcloth. At least, I have never seen their faces at lectures before."

signs those two female inheritors of it to nephew, don't stand peering at my legs. It's marry on the top of the ladder. Nothing not in them, it's in my mind." under a foreign prince. You'd never get Mr. Thomas sat down, completely cowed. admitted inside their house, if you tried for What on earth had come to light? The a year." latch-key-or kissing Rachel - or smoking "I tell you that girl's a prize, and shall in his bed-room at night-or had that sexbe mine; and I'll bet you two crowns to one ton -?"By all that 's awful, that must that I'm inside their house within a week. be it!" reasoned Tom. "The bungling Tell me I can't get in where I choose! you fool has mistaken me, and sent the thing can't, perhaps," added the audacious El-home, and she and the girls have turned liot, drawing his handsome figure up, in his Bluebeard's wife, and opened the box." vanity. Tom's face began to stream down. Whatever could he do?

"Done!" cried Jones.

"And I'll take him too," echoed Davis. "Which of the two is the prize?" "There's one with piercing dark eyes, giving out wicked glances," answered Elliot. "And splendid black hair." "Yes. That's Clara."

σε

"Has a- a case- -been brought here, ma'am, a heavy one?" he stammered. came home on purpose, because there 's been mistake. It belongs to Mr. Davis, senior student, and ought to have gone to his lodg ings. I'll get a man and have it moved

"And a Roman sort of a nose, and rosy directly. pink color."

"That is Clara."

"Mercy, boy," cried Mrs. Agatha, "I don't know anything about cases. If they

"Tall; fine shape; lovely fall in her had sent a dozen here, I should never have

shoulders," went on Elliot.

"Yes, yes, no mistaking Clara." "Well, then, it's not she.'

seen them to-day. There has been a wicked man here, Thomas, that's what there has been. A lawyer I believe he calls himself, gam-and-that's right, Rachel-I'll go and consult mine now.'

"Now, Elliot, don't try on any mon. It must be the young one then, and that 's Loo."

"Hark! hush! listen, will you! There's Dicks' voice, as I'm alive! "

Tom's spirits went up like mercury. "Then I have not offended you, dear aunt! I feared-I don't know what I didn't fear -that somebody might have been trying to traduce my character to you."

The metamorphosis was like magic. Certain overcoats of the pupils which lay in a heap in a corner of the room, were raised, "Child and woman have I lived in this and the pewter pots hidden under them; house for sixt-over forty years," went on slops of beer, rather prevalent, were rubbed Mrs. Agatha, unheeding Mr. Tom's fears, dry with handkerchiefs; cigars and pipes," my own leasehold property, and my father all alight, were thrust into side-pockets; and mother's before me. And now an imtables, as sitting places, were abandoned; pious wretch comes forward and says there's and when Mr. Dicks, M. R. C. S., entered, a flaw in the lease, and I must turn out, and every student presented the appearance of am responsible for back rent! I'll go and sober industry; some with the operating consult the first lawyer in town. Come knives, some buried deep in surgical books of along with me, Thomas."

reference.

"It's impossible, dear aunt. I have got six hours work before me to-day readingup for Mr. Dicks." The truth was he had made an appointment for billiards.

"That 's exceedingly vexatious. I should like to have had you with me for witness. But you are quite right, Thomas; never put your studies aside for anything. I'll wish you good afternoon. Rachel, if anybody comes, you don't know when I shall be at home, for I am gone to Lawyer Freer's."

Lawyer Freer's!" screamed Tom, rushing after his aunt, and nearly upsetting Rachel. "Of course you must have a witness, aunt, if you are going there. Just wait one moment while I slip on another coat and waistcoat."

"What's the matter with those you have on?" demanded Mrs. Agatha.

-

"Oh- this is my professional suit. And when I walk with you, I like to look as your nephew ought.

Dutiful lad! 99 aspirated Mrs. Agatha. "He shall not be a loser by his attachment to me."

Lawyer Freer was at home, and ensconced Mrs. Agatha in his consulting-room. Her dutiful nephew slipped aside as they were going in, and shut the door on the old lady and the attorney. Mrs. Agatha was too full of her subject to notice, at first, the absence of her nephew; and afterwards she would not disturb the consideration of her case by calling for him. They both concluded Mr. Tom was exercising his patience in the company of the clerks in the front office.

Not he. He was as daring as he was high, and he went along the passage, peeping here and peeping there, till he came to a room where two young ladies were seated-his beauties of the previous night. Clara, the eldest, a splendid girl; Louisa (the prize), prettier still, with dancing eyes and shining curls.

"I beg pardon," cried Mr. Tom, as the young ladies rose in surprise; "do not let me disturb you. I am sent here to wait, while my aunt holds a private consultation with Mr. Freer. Mrs. Agatha Needham." The young ladies bowed. They had a 8p.aking acquaintance with Mrs. Agatha, and hoped she was well. Tom assured them she was very well, went on talking upon other subjects, and made himself entirely at home. Mr. Tom Elliot had won his bet.

II.

MRS. AGATHA NEEDHAM found her lease and its flaw could not be settled by the lawyers. The cause in due time was entered for trial at the March assizes," Newcome versus Needham." It caused an extraordinary sensation in Nearford: all the holders of leasehold property arguing that if Mrs. Agatha Needham was disturbed in her long and peaceful occupancy, where was their security? As to Mrs. Agatha, it may be questioned if she enjoyed a full night's rest during the period of suspense. Nothing could exceed the sympathy and interest evinced by Tom Elliot in the affair: as Mrs. Agatha observed, what she should have done without him, she did not know. His legs were kept on the run between his aunt's house and Lawyer Freer's; and the numerous messages forwarded by Mrs. Agatha nearly drove the lawyer wild. She was fidgety, and Thomas pressed her on.

"Do you want my services with Mr. Freer, this morning, aunt?

66

No, Thomas, I think not this morning."

"You'd do well to send to him, if only the slightest message. No trouble to me. These lawyers require perpetual looking-up. They are so apt to forget the interests of one client in those of another. It's 'out of sight, out of mind' with them."

Very true, Thomas. Thank you. Go down then to Mr. Freer: my compliments, and I have sent to know if there's anything fresh. But I am ashamed to give you this frequent trouble."

Trouble 's a pleasure, aunt, when you are concerned," responded Thomas. "The comfort of possessing such a nephew!" ejaculated Mrs. Agatha.

Tom flew off, but the stars were against him that day. Lawyer Freer was out! so much the better: for Tom could more safely find his way to the young ladies, as he had now done many and many a time. They had also taken to look for him, and they saw him coming down the street.

"Here's Mr. Elliot, Loo," observed Clara; and a blush of satisfaction rose to her face, as she turned from the window to a mirror and smoothed her hair, here and there, with her finger. Louisa did not answer, but a much brighter blush rose to her face, and she bent lower over the piece of drawing she was preparing for her master. For Louisa, scarcely eighteen, still had masters attending her, and Clara, who was two years older, looked upon her as a child. Child as she might be, though, she had grown to love Tom Elliot.

Why did they both blush? somebody may ask; surely they were not both in love with him? Not exactly. Tom Elliot was a general admirer, and whilst he had become really attached to Louisa Freer, and had striven privately to gain her affections, he had evinced a very fair share of admiration for Clara, partly in homage of her beauty, partly to divert suspicion from her sister. And Clara Freer, who had no objection in the world to receive admiration from so handsome and popular a man as Tom Elliot, certainly did not repel him.

"He's over head and ears in love," Clara was proceeding to add; but her sister interrupted her in a startling voice.

"In love! With whom?' "With me," complacently replied Miss Freer," who else is there? His next move will be to make me an offer - in his random way.'

Louisa's heart beat fast against her side, and her blood tingled to her fingers' ends. "Make you an offer!" she gasped forth. "Would you marry him?"

"Bless the child! I marry a medical student, an embryo surgeon! I look a little higher than that, Loo. But if Tom Elliot

were as rich in wealth as he is in attractions "I have told you to leave the house," she -why, then you might stand a speedy reiterated, pale with anger. "If you do chance of being a bridesmaid. I know he not quit it this instant I shall ring for the servants to show you out."

adores me."

No more was said, for Tom entered, and "Very well, Miss Freer," he said, all his began rattling away, after his own fashion. customary equanimity returning to him. An attractive companion he undoubtedly" Louisa, my darling," he impressively was. Presently Miss Freer was called from added, turning to her for a last farewell, the room by a servant, upon some domestic "we may be obliged to bend to circumaffair. stances and temporarily separate, but remember- come what may, I will be true to you. Be you so to me. Will you promise?" "I will," she whispered; and Mr. Tom Elliot bent down, and sealed it on her lips, regardless of Miss Clara's energetic appeal to the bell.

"My dearest Loo," he whispered, as soon as they were alone, "you look sad this morning. What is it?"

"O, nothing," she answered, bursting into tears. And Tom, all alive with surprise and concern, clasped her in his arms, and was in the very agreeable act of kissing off the tears, when Clara returned. It was sooner than they had expected her, and they were fairly caught.

Clara, her features naturally of a haughty cast, could put on a look when she liked. Mr. Elliot had never yet been favored with it; but it shone out, in full force, as she imperiously demanded an explanation from

both of them.

"The truth is, Miss Freer," said Tom, speaking up like a man, "that I love your sister. Until I saw her, all young ladies were alike to me that is, I was fond of them all. But now she is the only one I care for, or ever shall care for in the world. I did not intend this to come out yet: and I hope you will keep our secret."

"And pray," returned Clara, boiling over with rage and mortification, "when did you intend it to come out, sir?"

"When? Not till I was well established in my profession, and could ask for her as I ought to do, of Mr. Freer.

Clara," uttered the younger sister, her tears falling fast in agitation, for she had read the expression in the elder's eye, "for the love of Heaven do not betray me to papa. Dear Clara?"

"I shall acquaint your father instantly, as is my duty," was the cold reply. "We shall have a baby in leading-strings entangling itself in a matrimonial engagement next!"

"Clara, my dear sister-let me call you so for the first, though I hope not for the last time, be reasonable, be kind," said Mr. Elliot, trying his powers of persuasion. But, effectual as they had hitherto proved with the young lady, they failed now.

"What I can do to oppose your views on my sister, I will do," she vehemently answered. "You have played a traitor's part, Mr. Elliot, in seeking her affections. I beg you to leave the house at once, and you will never be admitted to it again.""

'But, Clara," he remonstrated, "you"

Clara Freer made her own tale good to her father, and Thomas made his good to Mrs. Agatha. For in the violent indignation of the attorney, he had informed that lady of her nephew's having presumed to make love to his daughter, and Mrs. Agatha, overwhelmed with the first shock of the news, wrote off an imperative summons to Tom's father, telling him to post to Nearford, upon a matter of life and death. Which summons brought the alarmed parent flying at express speed.

Everybody who heard of the affair pronounced them both a couple of simpletons. A medical pupil of twenty-one, without any definite hopes or money whatever, to have talked of marriage, was ridiculously absurd; and for a young lady, with money and prospects, to listen to him, was more absurd still. The clergyman, when he arrived, and found what the matter was, wished to treat it as a joke, the lawyer was too outrageous to treat it any way but in earnest, while Tom strove to deny it to Mrs. Agatha.

"There's nothing in it, dear aunt," he pleaded; "don't you believe any of them." "But Miss Freer affirms that she caught you kissing her sister," persisted Mrs. Agatha. "How do you account for that?"

"I'm sure I don't know how it is to be accounted for," answered Tom, demurely. "I believe I must have dropped asleep with my eyes open, and done it in a dream. I was sitting there, waiting for the lawyer to come in, and had got tired to death.”

Mrs. Agatha was staggered. She had not much faith in those sort of dreams, but she had great faith in Tom's word.

Kissing is very bad, Thomas," she observed, doubtingly.

"It's shocking," promptly answered Thomas. "You cannot believe, ma'am, I should be guilty of it-awake. Never tried to kiss any young lady in all my life cept my sisters."

ex

Not, however, to his father and Mr. Freer did Thomas Elliot make a similar defence.