The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-12-09
81 only spoke of the weather to hreak

wondering if she was laughing at me.
Am L? / saw you We're a stranger
to us, and Mr.. Phelan is being instructed
in the pedigree of the MacFums, sup
pose, and cannot get away for a quarter
of an hour to introduce YOU" she said,
with friendliness that set me at my ease
at once.
"Will you allow me to do myself that
pleasure?"
Il think can spare you that trouble"
she replied, in the most musical of voices.
.'You have come from London to stand
godfather to baby?"
II have" answered, wondering how
she knew, and watching with pleasure
the arch look that suddenly darted into
her wonderful eyes. l began to think
that she had one of the most interesting
faces had ever seen. Herlips were red
and saucy, and were, l thought lust
then, made to kiss and be kissed.
Shall l point you out the god
mother?" she asked, watching my face
as she spoke.
"No-that is, yes" replied, thinking
of what Tom had told me, and just
little curious to see his beau ideal of my
future wife.
There she is, at the other side of the
room. in gray silk dress, talking with
that stout little man with the brown
wig.'
DO you mean"
Yes, that tall and angular lady, with
the bunch of curls at each side of her
face. She has been beauty in her day.
and has Just come in for thousand
year, since which time she has had six
proposals of marriage, and has stood
godmother to one hundred and twenty
three children. Before she came in for
that legacy no one ever noticed her; and
though her manners have not changed
in the least, the world has only now
suddenly discovered that she is one of
the most amiable women living. Now
| always knew that fact, and stated it
openly, though no one would believe it. "
While my new friend spoke felt that
she was watching my face keenly, This,
then, said to myself, was the woman
who Tom Phelan had assured me would
make me Il happy man. The lady was
at least twenty years older than was:
but any disparity in that way Tom evil
IDENTIFY thought would be made up to me
by the fact of my future wife posses
sing a thousand a year. | began to
think that my friend character had I'M
dergone a change. | had always con
sidered him far from mercenary; but
probably the cares and expenses of his
life had made him regard money in a
different light from what he had done in
the old days; and he thought he would
do me a friendly turn by marrying me to
a woman Old enough to be my mother,
because of her wealth. When | CON
sidered erthese things was sorry for
Tom Phelan. Marriage, thought had
not raised the tone OF his mind, [
looked over at him then, and saw
cheerful look on his round pleasant face;
as if something had occurred that made
him very happy. Probably, said
mentally, it is one of Mrs. MacFum's
tales that makes this most good tenn
pered Of men delighted. When [ next
looked at my neighbor, she too,
thought, had q merry expression inner
eyes that seemed to spring from a look
she exchanged with Tom Phelan.
80 that lady is TO be baby's god
mother" ! said, presently, directing my
gaze to the lady in gray silk, with a lit
tie bunch Of curls CO fined by tortoise
shell comb, edged with row of pearls.
at each side of her thin, pale face.
Yes You must let me Introduce
you. Indeed you must know her. She
is one of the best aud kindest of women"
l began to wonder if my new friend
IN I, ,,lo %Dn 4 L,
gagged by Tom and Mrs. Tom to lend
her assistance toward the desired end of
marrying me to this spinster. felt as
if | should like to get up aud run away
out of the house and out of the tolls that
these good people evidently sought to
ensnare me in; but the voice of this girl
with the grayblue eyes, that now
sparEled with humOr and anon melted
into tenderness, almost in the same
minute, as only Irish eyes can, held me a
prisoner. was unwilling to move from
her side.
Though she did not tell me her name,
she told me all about herself in a frank,
naive manner that completed the charm
she held over me and made me her faith
full bondslave from that hour to this dav.
Her father was in India, she said; she
and her mother were living in Bray dur
ing his absence. She expected him
home next year, when she feared they
would leave dear old Ireland and 90 on
the Continent.
Then, suddenly, in the midst of her
confidential chat, she asked me once
more to cross the room with her and get
introduced to the la ly who was to be
godmother to Tom Phelan's baby. Be-
fore | could answer her she stood up and
waited for me to accompany her. Miss
Fay was the name of the Spinster who
was mild, agreeable gentlewoman.
with sad eyes and gentle manner.
When my new friend had introduced me
she suddenly disappeared. Soon after
some people who came in engaged
Miss Fay's attention, and | was left
alone.
Then Tom Phean came up to me,
beaming all over with smiles
''1Ou have not lost much time in
making acquaintance, Fitz, old boy"
NO. answered, dryly, understand
ing what he meant.
What do you think of her?'
He looked at me with his head on one
side and a broad smile on his face.
90 Think of her? She is very amiable."
This in II stititone.