The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-08-17
Select Storp.
MISS FANSHAW'S HUSBAND.

"My dear Kate, you are out of your
senses
"But 1 don't wish to think of George
for husband ?"
"No; but this scheme to get rid of it.
Indeed; | assure you, it is quite admi.
rable. No such word as fail for me; my
plan shall succeed; tomorrow return to
New York, aud | shall put il in immediate
execution"
This conversation took place in a charm
ing little sitting parlor Of an elegant house
In Baltimore. The speakers were Mrs.
Bellamy, the young mistress of the house,
and Miss Kate Fanshaw, blue-eyed beau
" of New York. Kate was a beauty,
and irresistably charming, and what won
der her cousin George Ellison wanted to
marry her. ssGeorge is we'll enough, but
to marry him, o, dear, no he has not at
all my style" she said; ''and a very nice
way to settle the matter is to declare that
/ am secretly married; altogether the thing
will be so romantic. 1t is horrible to tell
such iib, but, you know to distress uncle
and aunt by saying cannot marry George,
their fav0rite son, would be ten times
worse, so | have planned it all out; viii
say when l was at school at ST. Mary's l
became acquainted with young officer,
and that few months ago was married
to him, secretly; you know like things
out Of the ordinary run"
$50 do l; but then, in this there might
be scandal"
"a fib for scandal Ais we'll that ends
we'll"
Sand the officer ?''
1Why, Of course, it viii be necessary to
place him somewhere; aud then, you see,
after month or two, must get letter
Informing me that he went out to fight
the Indians and got killed, or else he fell
in duel-that would perhaps be more
elegant; yes, now think Of it, that's Just
the thing"
''My gracious but who would the letter
come from ?"
"Why you could send it; disguise your
handwriting, and sign it with a gentle
man name. A brother officer, you know
say it was your sad duty to convey the
dreadful tidiags, and all that. You would
understand it exactly. And then, you
see, should be a widow. Oh, my so
delightful"
"Mercy, Kate, what scheme II
seares me to think of it"
"It don't me; it will work beautifully
And then, you see, can have George fol
good cousin without the bother of being
married to him.
"At least till you are widow"
ayes, for a while, at least; and shall
be charming widow, and wear mourning
and jet ornaments so lovely"
Kate was an orphan, and Mr.. aud Mrs
: Ellison had for years taken care of her as
their own child, secretly cherishing the
wish that she would become the wife of
their only son George. This plan had
never been suggested to Kate till Just be-
fore her visit to her friend Mrs. Bellamy
but when she did perceive it, she felt all
the opposition of a willful nature, and al
the same time deep sense Of regret al
thwarting the wish OF those who had beer
the kindest of parents to her.
sNo. Therese Bellamy, she said, 81
shall not marry George. But come, dear
must 90 home tomorrow, and if you
want that photograph of me we had better
go at once and have it taken"
An hour after Mrs Bellamy and Kate
entered the gallery and beautiful picture
of Kate was taken; then for a sauntel
through the rooms.
"Oh, Therese, see this splendid fellow =
and Kate pointed to a picture on an easel
"Isn't he elegant? " ho can he be?"
"He is handsome; let's find out hi
name.
"Well, Theresc, what do you think
mean to do? You know when / announct
my marriage, it will be necessary to show
picture Of my husband, and l am goins
to buy this one
Mrs. Bellamy laughed, 'let's ask WHIT
he is"
The young man in attendance inform
ed the ladies that the picture was that oI
MIR. Henri Lemoigne, a stranger in Balti
more, but at Kate 5 request that she nigh
buy the picture, he hesitated
II must have it" she said, sit resem
bles a friend of mine, must have thi
one at any price.
The artist held the negative, and afte
all, where was the harm of selling a pho
tograph, when it would oblige so charmin;
a young lady. And fattering of cours,
it was, to Mr.. Lemoigne His scruple
vanished, and Kate carried off the picture
"Therese," she said, when they wer
seated in the carriage on the way home
"what a pretty name believe l vii
take the name with the picture. Yor
know it win be necessary for me to take
new name.
''But Kate, you are crazy You vii
surely get found out if you take a rea
name"
"No fear, shall be in New York, yol
know, and he will never hear of his name
or his picture either"
ale will never know of the honor don
him."
"What a pity even If he hears tn
picture is sold, the use to which it is pu
can never by any possibility be known"
The next day Miss Kate Fanshaw re
turned home, aud soon after declared t
her astonished uncle and bewildered aun
that. she had three months before beel