The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1875-09-30
THE DOUBLE SURPRISE.

MRS. SYMES G1MlNGTON was engaged
in smoothing down the nap of her jetty
velvet polonaise with her pretty, white,
plump hand, on the foretinger of which
sparkled cluster diamond ring, on the
third finger of which clung plain, heavy
wedding-ring. She was plump, rosy
little lady, not as tall by a head as the
handsome young fellow who called her
mother" and in whom her whole hearts
affections were centered, and to whom she
was, at this present moment, administer
ing as severe a reproof as she had ever
found occasion to.
Naughty, headstrong Cleve listened
very respectfully as he leaned his head on
his hand and his elbow on the mantel-
piece; listened with an air that demon
strated the perfect uselessness of the argu-
ments his lady mother advanced Then,
when she paused in triumphant breath
lessness ess-breathlessness because of her
long sentences, and riumphantly be-
cause she certainly accepted Cleve's 81
lence as the consent she aspired to secur-
ing; after all this, Cleve smiled-so
swectly, so coolly, right in her face.
But I shall marry little Birdie Lornc,
mamma; that is, if she will have ME. Now,
don't frown so you look SO much pretticr
when you smile and blush, little mother.
Tell me to propose to my little sunny
haired girl and bring her here for the ma
ternal blessing
He leaned his handsome head toward
Mrs. Symington, and looked at her in such
a proudly coaxing way that in her fond
heart she wondered how any woman
could resist him.
Then she shook her head until the dia-
monds in her ears sent their brilliant cor
ruscations both far and near.
"How can l, Cleve, when l am morally
sure Miss Lorne wants your money? A
hundred thousand isn't to be secured every
day, and to marry for money is to be per-
fectly miserable. l married for money,
Cleve, and you know the life | led until
your father died. You are my only CON-
fort-dan't pain me by bringing home a
wife who will only endure us for the sake
of what we can give her."
Evidently she had not forgotten her
mental decision that no girl with a human
heart could resist her boys handsome face
Certainly it was unlike the proud, self
assured Mrs. Symes Symington to under
rate her own importance so tremendously
as she had just done. But even the richest,
proudest and haughtiest people have their
other side," that only a few friends know,
and this was Mrs. Symington's other
side"
She watched Cleve's face anxiously,
but there was no sign of change of views
in the gay, debonnair face, with the con-
tradicting eyes so gravely and sternly de-
cided
"You mistake Birdie altogether, mother,
dear. How can it be possible she wants
me for my money when lots of other fel-
lows are after hers? She is an heiress in
her own right-forty or fifty thousand"
Mrs. Symington opened her bright,
black eyes.
"Oh! is that the case? Well"
Her altered tone, her hesitating words,
so delightfully."- emphasized, were enough
for Cleve. He caught her up in his arms,
regardless of her elegant toilet, and kissed
her until her face was as scarlet as a
girls. ....
"Cleve! are you not ashamed of your
self? Put me down this minute--or-or
you sha'n't marry Bird"
He dropped her instantly.
"You're down, mother; and in just one
hour prepare to see my little darling-all
bushes, dimples, smiles and sweetness" !"
He went out rather hurriedly, caught
his hat from the rack and hailed pass
ing cab that would speed him on his
mission.
Mrs. SymIngton watched him between
the plume-colored damask curtains, her
eyes kindling with pleasurable, pardona-
BILE pride.
"The dear boy! he wants me to think
settled the matter he arranged long ago.
Of course he would have married her
anyway; but just to think how splendidly
he behaved to me-"
And something very like the diamonds
IN her ears glittered in her fond mother
eyes as she turned away.
A delightful little octagonal room, hung
with the exact shade of dainty pink silk
that was most becoming to Birdie Lorne's
fair complexion. A pink carpet that
covered the floor in an unbroken expanse
of velvet. Chairs, ottomans and cushions
upholstered in pink and ebony; with little
lace tides and snowy, zephyr mats
scattered gracefully around with elegant
ly-designed and executed Afghans on the
ottomans and sofas; with lace curtains and
pink satin drapery; with the white halls
L,cor ,.,;tJ, o,,,olI rora v,a,pt; n no with