The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-12-31
er by me. and waited for events with the
most unfaltering trust in the future.

er by me, and waited Tor events With a'o
most unfaltering trust in the future.
Old Mr.. Ablewhite made his appear
ance that night. But / knew the impor-
tance which his worldly greed attached 70
his sons marriage with Miss Verinder-
and felt positive conviction (do what
Mr.. Godfrey might to to prevent it) that
We should SEQ him the next day. -
The next day, exactly rs l had ioreseen'
Aunt Ablcwhite was rs near to being as
tonished ms her nature would permit, py
the sudden appearance of her husband.
He had barely been minute in the house
before he was followed, to my astonisn,-
ment this time, by IN unexpected compii-
cation In the shape of Mr.. Bruff.
I never remember feeling the presence
Of the lawyer to be more unwelcome than
felt 1t Mt that moment. He looked ready
for anything in the way of an obstructive
Iroceeding-capable even of keeping the
peace. with Rachel for one of the COM
batants! :,
This Is pleasant surprise, SIR said
Mr.. Ablewhite, addressing himself with
his deceptive cordiality to Mr.. Brufi.
when / left your Office yesterday didn't
expect to have the honor of seeing you ut
Brighton to-day s
Il turned over our conversation In
my mind, after you had gone, replied Mr.
Brufl. And ii occurred to me that might
perhaps be of some use on this occasion.
| was Just in time to catch the train. and
had no opportunity of discovering the car
riage in which you were travelling.
Having given that explanation he seat
ed himself by Rachel. Iretired modcstly
to n corner-with Miss Jane Ann Stamp
or on my lap in case Of an emergency.
My aunt sat at the window, placidly fam
ming herself rs usual. Mr.. Ablewhite
stood up In the middle of the room, with
his bald head much pinker than / had
ever seen II yet and addressed himself In
the most aflectiOnate manner tO his niece.
Rachel, my dear he said, Il have
heard some very extraordinary news from
Godfrey. And am here to inquire about
1t. You have sitting-room of your own
in this house. Will YOU honor me by
showing mo the way to it?'
Rachel never moved. Whether she was
determined to bring matters to crisis, or
whether she was prompted by some prl-
vate sign from Mr.. Bruff is more than l
can tell. She declined doing old Mr..
Ablcwhitc the honor of conducting him
TO her stting-room. ..'
Whatever you wish to say to me, she
answered. can be said herein the pres
ence Of my relatives, and in the presence,
(shc looked Mt Mr.. Brufl) of my mothers
trusted old friend.' l'"
Just as you please, my dear said the
amiable Mr.. Ablcwhite. He took chair.
The rest of them looked mt his facc-as II
they expected it, after seventy years OF
worldly training. to speak the truth. 4
looked at the top of his bald head ; having
noticed. ON other occasions, that the tenn
per which was really in him had habit
of registering itself there.
Some weeks ago. pursued the old gen
tleman, my son informed me that Miss
Verinder had doneshim the honor to en-
gage herself to marry him. Is 1t possible
Rachel, that he can have misinterpreted-
or presumed upon-what you really said
to himp ....
Certainly not she replied. Il did en-.
gage myself To marry him.
very frankly answeredr said Mr.. Able
white. And most satisfactory, my dear,
so far. In respect to what happened some
weeks since, Godfrey has made no mis-
take. The error Is in what he told me
yesterday. begin to see it now. You
and he have had u lovers quarrel-and
my foolish son has interpreted 1t seriously,
An! / should have known better than that
at his age
The fallen nature in Rachel-the moth.
er Eve, so to spcak-bcgan to chafc ut
this. Hr
Pray let us understand each other. Mr..
Ablcwhite,' she said. Nothing in the
least like quarrel took place yesterday
between your son and me. If he told
you that l proposed breaking off our mar
riage engagement, and that he agreed ON
his side-he told you the truth ..
The self.registoring thermometer Mt the
top of his face, u shade deeper already!
Come, come, my dear! he said, In his
most soothing manner, now don't be an
cry, and don't be hard on poor Godfrey!
He has evidently said some unfortunate
thing. He was always clumsy from n
child--but he means well, Rachel, he
means welln
Mr.. Ablewhite. / have either expressed
myself very badly, or you are purposely
mistaking me. Once for all, 1t is u settled
thing between your son and myself that
we remain, for the rest of our lives, cous-
ins and nothing more. Is that plain
enoughP .....s.... ....
The tone in which she said those words
made It impossible, even for old Mr.. Able
white, to mistake her any longer. His
thermometer went up another degree, and
his voice, when he next spoke, ceased to
be the voice which is appropriate to a
notoriously good-natrircd man.
Il am to understand, them he said,
that your marriage engagement is broken
of?
You are to understand that, Mr.. Able
white, II you please
Il am also to take II rs u matter of fact
that the proposal to withdraw from the
engagement came, in the first instance
from youF
1T came, in the first instance, from me-.
And II met, rs have told you, with your
sons consent and approval
Tho thermometer went up To the top oil
the register. mean, tho pink changed
suddenly TO scarlet.
MY son Is u mcan-spiritcd hound! cried
this furious old worldling. In justice to
myself rs his father-not in justice TO him
Il beg To ask you. Miss Verinder, what
complaint you have to make of Mr.. Go,l-
frey Ablewhite p
Here Mr.. Bruff interfered for the first
time.
.You arc not bound TO oanswer that qucs-
ton he said To Rachel.
Old Mr.. Ablewhite fastened OF him in
stantly. -.i. ra Cd.
Don't forget, sir he said. that you are
u self.invited guest here. Your interfer-
ence would have come with better
grace If you had waited until II was asked
for
Mr.. Bruff took no notice. Tho smooth
varnish OH his. wicked old face never
cracked. Rachel thanked him for the ad-
vice he had given to her. and then turn
al a., oil Mr Ahlaw hita- prcs sorv;rcv kor