The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1867-06-20

this course, the only other alternative
left was to personate young Villiers as
well as he could. At all events, whilst
trying to decide upon line of action, his
host and hostess kept plying him with
such heaps of questions land Annette so
fresh and charming the while THAT, almost
without knowing it, he found himself
acting his late friend part.
How like. he is to his father, pres
emily .emarked Madame Hoppe.
This remark decided him. swell,
I'm in for it now if these good people
will persist in taking me for their son-in-
law land. by Jove shouldn't have much
obiection) they may; that Is all have
| to say
''Pooh! M love, not a bet, replied
Mr.. Hoppe; he takes after his mother;
Just as used to know her when his age y
Yes, stammered out Beaufort, think
ing he must say something L We always
been told I was very ike my poor, dear
motherl''
Why, you don't mean to say your
mother is dead?..
Beaufort quickly perceived his blunder,
and answered very composedly:
''Oh yes did you not know it? she
has been dead twelve months.
Did you ever hear such thing. wife?'
said Mr.: Hoppe; it is just ike your
father! He never did like to speak Of
anything unpleasant. Well, well ! Poor
man lost his wife Yes, you are GER
tainly like her Stay! have her like
ness and now I think of it, I have your
portrait too. Run, Annette, and fetch
It. You will find it in my study, the
third drawer on the left. -
my Portrait" cried Beaufort, in real
alarm, for he felt he must be detected
now.
yes; I say it is very Hke-yery like,
indeed they are his eyes, nose, mouth p
exclaimed Mrs. Hoppe, who at every
word looked first at the picture and then
at Beaufort.
And whatdoyou think of it, Annette?'
asked her father. ''Do you think it
good likeness p
But Annette made no reply, though
her bushes seemed to answer for her
quite plainly that there was no compare
son at all.
but you have some letters for me,
eh?
ooh yes! a whole lott" replied Beau
fort, glad enough that the portrait diff
Guilty was SO easily got over; and a
package for Miss Hoppe, he added,
handing Annette small box carefully
wrapped up in multiplicity of papers
'Eh why, what Is this p exclaimed
papa and mamma, as palr OF earrings
and a bracelet to match, appeared in
view.
1t is small present from my father"
SAID beaufort, quietly, who remembered
perfectly that young Nlliiers had been
very particular IN directions concerning
the package in question, as it contained
a present of jewelry from his father to
his intended daughter-in-l law
And now for the letters, said the
old gentleman, after duly adniring the
handsome present. ''Let me see that's
from your father, and this from your
uncle"
what is your uncle's name?" asked
Mrs. Hoppe; II always forget it.
Beaufort sincerely wished her memory
had been better, or that she had been less
prone to ask questions, but replied, My
uncle s name, did you say? Why it So
Berth, answered MIR. Hoppe. why,
wife, what head you'y got.
Yes, BertoIiD," put IN Beaufort, who
had only imperfectly heard the name. in
his confusion.
why on earth do you call him Rer-
tolin, when he signs his name BegtiH, =
cried Mr. Hoppe, peering at him over
his glasses.
Nov did l really say Bertelin? How
very strange!' = answered Beaufort, laugh
ing.
''Now, wife. you tell them we are ready
for dinner" and, taking her husband s
arm and hint, Dir. and Mrs. Hoppe walk
ed out Of the room, and Beaufort found
himself alone with Annette.
Beaufort was not slow to avail himself
OF the opportunity OF saying a few words
to bis companion and. so well did he en-
pioy his time that he succeeded beyond
his expectations in driving away the
bashftllness which had hitherto sealed
Annette's lips. OF course ne did not
talk about the projected union, and An
nette thought it very nice OF HIM not to
do SO.
At the table Beaufort Of course sat be-
tween the mother and daughter. The
dinner was well cooked, Mr. Hoppe a
good host, and Beaufort a very pleasant
guest, SO that altogether 1t was very
nice little dinner party
Among other topics of conversation
Mr. Hoppe asked his guest whether he
bad any hopes of getting the appoint
!. tent to which his father bad alluded IN
d }. revIous letter.
., III [ have it already 7 am APP
point, q i'll one Of the Departments. SAID
Beaufoi t, on the spur OF the moment.
'W has What do you say? lon are
already a appointed? Why on earth did
not your fax her say so, in his letter, then
But that is Just like him too. But how
did YOU get the appointment, my dear
friend p
s.My uncle got it for me ~
''Your uncle Berth =
es. my uncle Berth.
1t was getting late At six o clock he
was TO meet his uncle, General c.
He must leave at once. But how could
he manage it? What excuse could he
make? Being Of an extremely inlpulsive
disposition, thought suddenly entered
his head. which he determined at ONCE
to act upon.
Where are you going TOPS asked
Hoppe, in surprise, as Beaufort rose up
from his scat to make his adieu. and ex-
pressed his sorrow at being obliged to
return to the city at once, as he had
some important business to transact IN
the evening.
s'Why, We have asked several of our
neig hbo1S to meet you this very evening.
Il am truly sorry, answered Beau
fort, it is quite impossible. 1t is now
half past five, and at six
We'll what is going to happen at
six?" Interrupted Mr.. Hoppe, in tone
which betrayed little vexation.
Il have some pressing business to
transact, and my presence is indispens
able ~
why. now, you really cannot have