The Republican journal., 1875-06-17

not prepared to say that | cared to have
the nuptials hastened-in fact the subject
was distasteful to me. Bigby had main
tanned Il commend;lble reticence with re-
gard to my private affairs, and it was only
in the bosom Of his delightful family
could forget my cares and the unhappy
future in store Tor me. As Gertrude was
desirous of having the foundation OF the
new chapel laid before we were married,
and numerou, parish duties weighed heay-
ily upon her was delicate about intrnd-
ING upon her valuable time But the
Bigbys were always at leisure; OF course
Bigby himself was engaged the greater
part of the day down town, and Mrs
Bigby was busy experimenting her house
mold; but Hattie had plenty OF time to
spare, and was too young to 90 into So
cety had told Bigby that the closer he
adhered TO his own private family the
better it would be for a girl so young and
impulsive as Hattie So was little an
noyed when he told me he thought of tax
ing his wife and daughter to ''another OF
them there charity concerts"
"You do very wrong, Bigby," said
rcprovinglv. e" Hattie will be sure to
attract idle attention.. and think you II
regret it.
',pooh, pooh Mr. Fithan," said the
Good-natured father; eve can't keep her
in Il glass case, YOU know
Would to Heaven we could
@roaned, and went in search of her.
| found her wild to 90. We We're in
the summcr-house ana those little octagon
shaped boxes force people into close proX-
unity. She had never been so beautiful
In a white dress, with tear in each OF
her soft blue eyes, she was the emboli-
ment of womanly loyelness.
'.WcuSt let me gon' she said, with her
bands clasped entreatingly,
moved toward her impelled by a
strange magnetism. | was dazzled con-
fused, bewildercd
why do YOU ask me - stammered.
''ls my consent necessary to your happi-
ness p
Yes, YES" She murmured; Il could
not enjoy it otherwise!" She stopped and
drew a long breath. felt it on my cheek
and Il sweet rapturous conjecture was sud
denly conceived in my heart. | sank back
with the conviction that loved her Then
| took her in my arms and kissed her, and
went rapidly ont of the summer-house.
But before | went home it was arranged
that sne should 90 with me to the concert,
poor old Bigby giving Il wondering but
bland consent.
determined, upon reaching my lodg-
ing to sent a little note to Gertrude, stat
inc my inability to be with her on the
night of the icstivity, but found npon my
table II note from her | opened it with
languid interest; but upon reading the
first few lines threw it down and walked
mady across the room Her note con
tanned Il request that would attend her
to a concert given Tor the benefit Of the
St. John Chapel. 1t would be immediate-
lv under the auspices of the Reverend
Cayentlish, she added; and that | must be
aware OF its charitable intent and pur-
poses when shc mentioned this name to
me.
This concert was the very one for which
Bigby bad procured tickets, and to which
had pledged myself to take Hattie
| sank into 4 chair and supported a
dazad and bew ildered brain with my trenl-
bling hands Whatever was to be done
must be done quickly, as the night OF the
concert was close at hand and it was Ger
tainly out Of the question that could 90
with either party.
With Il sort of consciousness that the
task WAS about to perform was neither
an c:tsy nor 4 delightful one, | seized a
pen and wrote thus to Hattie.
Ny DEAR LITTLE HATTIE. In spite Of al
our hopes and plans can't take You to the con
cert. A big goblin has stepped in and upset
everything. can't tell you how inronsoabe
| am. Go with your papa and mamma. bn
look straight on the stage, and don't with NouI
rare loNelincss attract vulgar attention.
our jcaousN, AUGUSTUS fllHi\N.
Then with heavy si9h, putting aside
this little mi>sivr, wrote thus to Ger
trudc.
Ny DEAR GFErEtpE. find it quite i'm
pos sihe to 90 with YOU ON Thursday evening
An unpleasant, bat imperative obstacle for
bids. Yours always,
AUGUSTUS FIrnlNN.
Night was already upon me when ha'
finished writing lIurrying the two note
into envelopes, directing them with scrawl
ing precipitation, and giving them into tn
landladys hands to post | threw mysel
on my bed without lighting my lamp
Not wink of sleep did | get till tn,
morning sun streamed coldly and accus
ineiy through my window; then in ahec
fatigue fell into Il profound slumber, an,
| never awoke till noon.
ACCOMPANYING II late matutinal meal
| there came what seemed to be voumin
Gus post. There were letters and letters
| opened prodigious envelope directe'
| in Gertrude's severe Italian hand. Their
fell to the floor my misslye OF The nigh
before. What did it mean? | opene,
and read her explanatory note:
MIR. FIrnlAN-I return you the letter I
| your friend Hattie. which you misdlrectcd la>
evening. | hope you will keep the engagement
that | unconsclonsly interrupted, and will ,
| able to protect her rare loVelmess from til
vulgar attention you 50 much depore
Respectfully, GERTRUDE NANDEW ArEK.
After recovering from this thuuderbol
of Justice | took llattie's little note, whic
contained these few terrible lines:
DEAR MIR. FIrIIAN-I understand now WI
YOU were unwilling should go to the conrrfl
! AsI must be an unpleasant and imperative OF
| stacle to YOU, shall never see You again.
HATTIE BIGBN.
| tool. my hat and went out, withou
knowing exactly why, and found mysel
presently at Gertrude's house. The bind
were partially closed, but under the cur
tain | saw the clumsy shoes of the Rev
erend Cavendish almost touching the slip
pers of Gertrude, and all four feet wer
under the table laden with architecture
drawings.
A sudden impulse Of rage seized me
ran up the steps and pulled at the bet
The servant only half opened the door,
Miss Vandewater is not at home, sh
said.
plunged madly down the steps an
made my way homeward. My landlad,
called to me as was going up the stair
that somebody was waiting in my room
for me. "IIe would insist upon going II
and waiting for you,' she said. ''Yo
see, sir, people must be seen sometimes;
She thought it was q dun, and so did
| was prepared to throw an importunat
creditor over the balusters, and wen
boldly into the room. In an arm chal
near the fire sat Bigby
live come to talk to you," he said.
First of all Bigby,"' exclaimed, 'l 10
must understand that love your daug1
ter Hattie"