The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-04-26

VvCA W u0.
SO time wore on, and as the day fixed
Tor our departure approached I began to
} feel trifle qualmish, in spite of the un-
denisble favor shown me by Mr.. Merrick.
It was all very we'll to have secured the
uEcle-if had secured him; but was
certain of securing the niecef I had
scarcely exchanged half uozen words
with her. Old Merrick had remorsclessly
absorbed every second of my time-the
covers all day, mineralogy and chess all
the evening, till the very sight of chess
board generated nausea that | have
never yet got rid of; and the suspicion
that the lady had been too much over
looked in our calculations suddenly struck
me with an uncomfortable sensation Of
doubt
| l determined to speak to Fred, and
seized the first opportunity that evening,
when Miss Effing had retired, to propose
a cigar on the terrace-a proposition to
which Fred readily consented. The case
was speedily represented, and Frcd's
answer, as usual, concise.
You have been admirable" he as
serted, land deserve, must admit, i'm
mensc credit for SO fully carrying out her
pans; and feel that I cannot congratu-
late myself or you too heartily. Now per-
/
you, and have drawn Miss Effing's at
tcntion to the high opinion entertained of
you by her uncle. To alter your line of
conduct now would be to destroy every.
thing. You would be accused of a ruse,
suspected Of Intentions, and summarily
elected. Consistency, my dear fellow,
believe me, unvarying consistency, is your
only course-unremitting devotion to the
ogre; delicate diflidence toward the niece;
and on the morning of our departure,
when the near prospect of losing his con-
genial spirit, as he calls you, has unncrved
our friend, q solemn interview in the H.
brary, formal proposal, and you return
to town an engaged man! Is it not as
clear as daylight? straightforward and
inevitable in every point, because so SIM
pie. You retain your pedestal, remain
consistent, and the result comes about
quite naturally, through and in consc-
Quence of that very consistency"
looked at Fred with admiration; ev.
erything appeared so feasible when de-
tailed by him in a few simple words; his
very tones of semi indifference had won
drous power of conviction; and, moreover,
| my own common sense responded to the
assertion that change of manner would
he fatal. l saw my way now straight be-
|
transaction OF life, and the horizon grew
bright with hope.
Warmly thanking my friend for the in
valuable benefit Of his shrewd sense and
| convincing advice, withdrew to my
| room, my mind filled with more sanguine
projects, more tangible hopes, than had
yet INDUCED in since the beginning of
my adventure
At length the momcntOus morning
dawncd. We had prolonged our few days
stay to week, and our host had evidently
determined not to renew his invitation,
spite OF the manifold pleasure my CON-
pany gave him; SO, almost before could
realize it, the eventful day arrived.
passed a sleepless and disturbed night.
several times starting from confused,
drcary rehearsal of the interview l in
tended demanding in the morning, to
fancy heard whispering voices and con-
fused sounds about the house, quite i'm
possible at that late hour. Visions floated
before me of the already approaching
future; the events of the last few days
seemed to spread back over half my life,
SO great was the importance attached to
their issue; and, now the eliminating
point was reached, l felt already the
shadow OF my victory; for had not &C
complished the task in which every other
competitor had failed? and the question
of the young lady's possible opposition
was merely doubtful enough to give ex-
citement 20 the denouement. Did not all
young ladies first oppose, and ultimately
yield, with very little persuasion, to all
parents and guardians How much more
so, then, in the present case, where the
circumstances were SO exceptionally strong
in my favor!
had not been long awake, and was de- |
batting in my own mind whether or not to
start on an early walk, and by dose of.
fresh air to brace up my shattered nerves |
and stimulate them for the coming scene,
when was startled from my cOgitatiOu
by a tap at the door, and almost imme-
dtately MIR. Merrick's valet stood before |
me. This was most unprecedented &C. |
currence; hitherto servant had never |
entered my room without being summoned, |
and this man seldom even then.
A vague presentment OF evil seized me,
and turned uneasily to look at him. One |
look sufficed he was CHASTITY pale, and |
seemed half insane with alarm. Utterly |
unable to conjecture the cause, I gasped,
"What is it!'
80, sir! don't you know" said he
are you sure you don't know. They's |
g0ne, sir-bolted-Mr. Fred and Miss |
Bella-the two of them, and the new |
maid-of in pOst-chaisc three good |
hours ago; and who's to tell the governor |
l don't know; dare not"
That man might have gone on speaking
forcver-in fact he did go on; but beyond
those first few words, not syllable was
Ineligible to me. My first impulse was
to bound up and stranglc him then and
VIZ mi III fnS1
ure, and fell back powerless, paralyzed.
No suspicion of a possible mistake; no
crumb of comfort in momentary feel
ing of incredulity sustained me the mans
manner bore the stamp of truth; his ter
rOr was too real, his statement too concise,
to leave room for doubt. 1t was by no |
process of reasoning, by no mental re-
view, by no recapitulation of events, that |
the light broke in on me, but suddenly, in |
an instant, with the violence of galvanic |
shock. realized how complete had |
sold, utilized, taken in!
At last, a movement ON the part of the |
servant attracted my attention; he was |
handing me a letter, and had probably |
been describing how it came into his pos |
session, but OF this had not heard a |
word. My sensations can be neither |
imagined nor described when writing of |
my traitOrOus friend. Had the viper left |
his sting theres l hesitated to touch the |
dishonored paper. At that moment a |
violent ringing of bells announced Mr.. |
Merrick's tevee, and throwing the note ON |
the table, the distracted valet rushed from |
the room, muttering, 81 cannot tell i'll |
cannot, Thomas must 60 to him."
Alone with my enemy, / screwed up
my courage and broke the seal. The note |
was short, and ran as follows:
DEAR JAcK-Pray accept my best thanks. |
But for your efficient aid we never could have |
successfully hoodwinked old Argus. You are an |
apt pupil and sincerely wish you equal success |
in all your future undertakings.
Yours, by all the bonds Of gratitude,
FRED CLAYTON,
Up. S.-Bella insists on apologizing; 30 in |
close"
There was then another epistle. looked |
about; it had fallen on the floor. opened |
it mechanically, and read:
DEAR Mr.. HARR1s-I hope you will forgive |
Fred. What he did was for my happiness. We |
- Il