The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-02-26

candelabra, and large entrc-piece of
while solid silver, glass ornamented with
a monogram, and painted china were ar
ranged to the best advantage. Mrs. Cas-
tlethorpe was rich, and she liked to show it.
"Oh ats you, Jerome, is it2" said she.
"Pray walk in. Take that seat ut the
head of the table, You are my guest of
honor tonight. JONES'" to the old butler,
''show in my other friends"
| And while Jerome Mordaunt was mar.
yelling what this unusual politeness could
portend, old Jones threw open the folding
doors, and in marched Lawyer Andrey,
followed by Stitchem, the tailor, in his
Sundays best; Mrs. Riordan, the washer.
woman, in a surprising mob cap. Lastly,
the consumplive little bootmaker; Higgins
the jewcler; Pricken, the cigar-mel chant,
and Spill, the wine-dcaler. While last,
but not least, followed Mrs. NutLingdalc,
the boarding house-keeper, and her pretty,
blushfng daughter, Ruth.
Mrs. Castlethorpe stood IN stately dig
nifty at her end of the table, while Jones
marshaled the miscellaneous crowd of
guests to their seats. Jerome spraug from
his chair with low, muttered exclama-
tion at first, but seating himself again.
Evidently he was Gin for 1t, TO use a popu-
lar and most expressive phrase, ard 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 the grapes, pine-upplcs, and ices,
came rare wines and champagne. Mrs.
Castlethorpe rose with the dignity of a hos
| tess Of the old school,
"a health, ladies and gentlemen" said
she. "Fill your glasses all. Are you
ready9 Then l propose the health of the
man who pays his dcbts!'
1t was drunk with acclamation. Only
Jerome Mordaunt coIored, and lesita,cd.
"Joncs, " said The old lady, t.:3leasc hand
these five hundred dollaIs-in small bills,
Jones, take particular noticc-to Mr. Nor
daunt. Gentlemen and ladies'" to the
guests, spray present your little accounts !;
my nephew is ready to audit them!"
MIR. Mordaunt opened and shut his mouth
two or three times, in feeble, gasping
way, like al exhausted fish; but he uttere ed
no audible remonstraEce. lie knew it
would be of no use.
| 'Of course" he said, shall do as my
aunt advises
One by one the hungry-eyed guests ad-
yanced. presented their little accounts, and
retired, with satisfied countcnances, until
not parsonage was left except Lawyer
Audrey, Mrs. Nuttingdalc and her daughter,
and the hostess.
Nov for the last settlement of ALL" said
Mrs. Castlcthorpe, with an inexorable
countenancc. 'Jcrome, believe you are
under an engagement to marry this young
lady?"
Jerome Mordaunt, face to face with
poor, pale, trembling little Ruth Nutting-
dale, could not deny 1t.
'Iones." pursued Mrs. Castlethorpe,
task the Reverend MIR. Tyson to walk in.
Here is wedding ring, my own forty good
years ago, and hope none the less lucky
for that. Stand up like man, Jerome
and you close to him, my dear. Now we
arc quite ready. MIR. Tyson, If you please" J."
And almost before Jerome Mordaunt
realized what was going on, he was mar
ried, safe aud sound, to Mrs. Nuttingdalc's
blue eyed daughter, Ruth.
II congratulate you, my DEAR" said
Aunt Castlelhorpe, with sounding kiss.
81 wish you all JOY as Mrs. Jerome Nor
daunt-and here's check for one thou
sand dollars to begin life WITH"
Thanks, dearest aunt" smiled the
blushing bride.
"And now you are square with the
world, so far as know, JEROME" said the
old lady, austereiy, to her nephew. "See
that you remain so for the future, for you'll
get no more help from me. And now I'll
bid you all good night, for it's getting late,
and l need my after dinner nap"
And so closed Mrs. Castlethorpc's din
her party, with an impromptu wedding.
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