The Penn's Grove record., 1882-07-22
PENIS GROVE, SALEM COUNTY. N j., SATURDAY. JULY 22. 1882

nest, reading her look. "My uncle
not expected until next week, and TIN
offices are empty, and the clerks gon'
home"
So without more ado they went up
"You're the first lady that evel
crossed our threshold, Miss Bessie
said King, doing the honors with 9
flourish. Welcome to bachelordom.'
"Am l really ?' she asked, looking
around rather disappointedly.
"You don't seem impressed" he
said, laughing. ''But to tell you the
truth it wasn't our fault all that talk
was started about these rooms, but as
IL has got round, Uncle Eric likes to
keep up the joke. Indeed, il he'd been
at home, L never would have ventured
to ask you up"
lis he so ferce?n she asked, OPEN
ing her eyes.
Fierce! [ should think he was, +"
said Cliff, grimly. "If it hadn't been
for Ernest's proves we shouldn't
have been at Broadbeach this cum
mer."
"You tell her about it while 1 GO and
lock up my books" suggested King,
happily for his friend. "And there's
those photographs Uncle Eric brought
from Europe; perhaps Bessie would
like those" And with an assurance
that he'd return directly he ~aiscreetly
retired.
Now was Cliffs time. Ernest had
behaved like a brick. He knew that
he would remain as long as possible so
that he (ClIff) need not hurry matters
and perhaps spoil them.
He told her the story in his best pos
sible manner and acted as nationally
over the photos as to make Bessie hope
his fell purpose had e~vaporated.
They were getting along swimming
ly, when Ernest burst into the room
and upset everything
"Fhere's a co." be said, excitedly.
"Who do you think has just driven
up?"
"Not you're uncle ?" asked Cliff.
my uncle,a as sure as fate" laughing
uneasily. ~ tell you we're both In
for It,"
"And what will he think of me ?n
asked Bessie, ready to cry with distress
as the peculiarities of her position
dawned upon her.
"He'H think" said Ernest, laugh
ing, a light suddenly breaking on
him, "why, of course, he'll think
you're Cliffs wife! And, by Jove,
that's a way out of 1t for us all. What
more natural than Cliff spending the
honeymoon at BroadbeSch with his
wife, and being in town for a days
shopping, should call in here IN his
way to the depot to pick me up to go
back with them! It's the very thing
"But Pm sure I don't look like q
bride,p objected Bessie.
ooh. you'll do" King assured her;
"you proved you could act the other
night. If 1 were only as sure of
Cliff
Don't you worry" stuck in that
young gentleman. 1--WE an idea that
part will suit me-"
"But can't we dodge down a stair
case or something" suggested Bessie,
feeling
"Impossible-but you needn't be
frightened. We shall have to start
very soon, and iGll be great fun for a
while"
The introduction part went off well
enough. / fBessie looked rather con
fused, it vas only to be expected of a
bride of ten days, though her embar-
rassment was not relieved by finding
in Mr., Eric Harcourt, a man only a
few years Ernest's senior.
what a pretty girl" he thought,
'and what a shame to throw herself
away on an idiot like Forester"
Ernest was in his element. With
Dc5Slc W tahC Vi lis OuOSi NO hASSN
to keep the CONVEX alton up to the
mark and let his uncle suspect nothing.
At length they rose to go.
81 hope you will allow me to CALL"
Mr.. Harcourt had said.
II shall be delighted when we're
settled" she had returned, demurely.
II do believe Uncle Eric is half
smitten himself" Ernest remarked
aside to his friend. blessed good job
for you that he thinks she's married"
"One moment" said Mr.. Harcourt,
when the final rise was made. 81
must make my peace with MIS-. For
roster before 1 can allow any of you to
go.'
with me % said Bessie, surprised.
For answer he TOOK a ring box from
a cabinet near.
"You must know, Mrs. Forester,
when Ernest told me about Cliffs APP
preaching marriage l simply made up
my mind it was an unusually clever
ruse to obtain an extra vacation, and
there let ii drop. l may add to Justify
my suspicious, that | have from time
to time been made the victim of SINH
lar stories." There he paused to
glance severely at the boys, who Look
ed like injured innocents. Now,
| however, / find I did them for nee a
| great injustice and have in conse-
| quence deferred for myself a great
| pleasure. This little ring has been in
our family for generations and has al
ways been used for betrothal purposes.
But as / have resolved never to marry,
/ hope you will accept 1t as a slight
token of regard from the uncle OF
your Oldest friend and Cliffs best
man"
There was a complication Bessie
was thoroughly nonplussed and
! oIanoad appaalinoly at Cliff for help