Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1878-11-20

coulunt nave kept up the can
paign much longer without amInu'
milton "Ill be there punctual tC
the minute, dear Aunt COMFY may
be quite sure"
He was as good as his word. Al
six to the second, he bowed him
self dehouairly into Mrs. Castle
thrope's old-fashioued dining-room
-old-fashioned, but eminently
comfortable. A fire of anthracite
coal, glowed and cracked on the
CRATE wax candles shone with
white lustre in the silver Candida
bra, and large centre piece OF
flowers decled the middle of the
board, while solid silver, glass orna-
mented with monogram, and
painted china were arranged TO the
best advantage. Mrs. Castethrope
was rich, and she liked to show it..
"Oh it's you, Jerome is it p said
she. "Pray walk in. Take that
seat at the head the Of table. Ion
are my guest of honor tonight.
Jones'" to the butler, "show in my
other friends"
And while Jerome Mordaunt
was marveling what this unusual
politeness could portend, old Jones
threw open the folding doors, and
in marched Lawyer Audrey, follow
ed Ivy Stitchem the tailor, in his
Sundays best, Mrs. Riordan, the
washerwoman, in surprising
mob-cap. Lastly, the consumptive
little bootmaler, Higgins, the
jeweler, Pricken, the cigar-mer-
chant and Spill, the wine-dealer.
While last, but not least, followed
Mrs. Nuttingdale, the boarding
bousekeeper, and her pretty, blush
ing daughter, Ruth.
Mrs. Castlethrope stood in state
ly dignity at her end of the table,
while Jones marshaled the miscel-
laneous crowd of guests to their
seats, Jerome sprang from his
chair with low, muttered ex-
clamation at first, but seated him
self again. Evidently he was Gin
for it," to use a popular and most
expressive phrase, and the only
way was TO make the best of bad
bargain.
The dinner progressed. Fish
succeeded soup-game and entrees
followed fish-elegant side dishes
came and went, and with grapes,
pineapples, and ices, came rare
wines and champaign. Mrs. Castle
thrope rose with the dignity of
hostess of the old school.
"a health, ladies and gentlemen"
said she. "Fill your glasses all
Are you readyl Then / propose
the health Of the man who pays
his debts 7"
1t was drunk with reclamation
Only Jerome colored, and hesitat-
ed.
"Jones," said the old lady, "please
land these five hundred dollars
% small bills, Jones, take no par
.icular notice-to Mr.. Mordaunt.
Gentlemen and ladies'" to the
guests, "pray present your little
lccounts; my nephew is ready to
audit them y
Mr. Mordaunt opened and shut
his mouth two or three times, in a
feeble, gasping way, like an ex-
hausted fish; hut he uttered no
remonstrance. He knew
It would he of no use.
"Of course he said, 81 shall do
as my aunt advises"
One by one the hungry-eyed
guests advanced, presented their
little accounts, and retired, until
not parsonage was left except
Lawyer Audrey, Mrs. Nuttingdale
and her daughter, and the hostess.
"Now for the last settlement of
all, said Mrs. Castlethrope, with an
memorable countenance. jerome,
| believe you are under an engage
meut to marry this young lady I"
Jerome Mordaunt, face TO face
with poor, pale, trembling little
Ruth Nuttingdale, could not deny
it.
Jones' pursued Mrs. Castle
thrope, task the Reverend Mr.
Tyson to walk in. Here is a we'd
ding ring, my own forty good years
ago, and | hope none the less lucky
for that. Stand up like a man,
Jerome-and you close to him my
dear. Now we are quite ready,
Mr.. Tyson, If you please"
And almost before Jerome Nor