The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-05-24

do you?" he exclaimed; why, SO 90
I. For example, I don't think you
could find plettier name than Edith
anywhere" "Oho,' cried, her name
is Edith, is it?" Budell blushed, but
couldn't deny it; and I daresay would
have revealed her surname also had
pressed him.
August brought me an invitation from
Will Carlyon to spend a fortnight at his
fathers place in Scotland, and have
shot at the grouse. II have asked Mar
by, Smithers and Budell," he wrote,
land expect them all. I know you
four have frightful chains and slavery
notions about matrimony; but there are
lots of nice girls staying here with
Fanny, and if you don't 60 home with
the full intention of becoming Benedicts,
I shall be surprised. Anyhow, we shall
have plenty of birds.
When arrived found the house full
of pleasant men and agreeable girls;
while the grouse gave very fair sport.
The club was there in full force. Budell
was in tolerable spirits, and came out in
grand style as master of the ceremonies,
and as the originator Of all sorts of
amusements. He was too busy to infiict
any more condolences. but had no rea.
son to suppose he had yet accomplished
his proposal.
One afternoon heavy rain. storm had
driven the sportsmen in sooner than
usual; I was examining my breach
loader in the gun.room when Smithers
mysteriously requested me to come into
the smoking room at once. There l
found Budell and Marby. Smithers had
convened the club and we had the room
to ourselves. He briefly explained his
object. II have an announcement to
make, he said, "similar to the one made
by Budell not long since. I'm going to
follow his example, and hereby invite
you all to the wedding. Like Budell,
have not yet put the final question, but
I am not afraid of the answer. have
no objection to telling you that the
young lady is at present at this house,
and that her name is Miss Maxwell"
Good Heavens" calculated Budell.
"Well," said Marby, II may as well
take this opportunity of informing the
club that I too am going to follow suit.
Only I've taken the precaution to speak
to the young young lady first, and Miss
Fanny Carlyon is shortly going to be-
come Mrs. Marby."
II was thunderstorm. GIN that case"
I said with dignity, as [ strobe from the
room, Il am now the only member OF
the Square Club"
Just as was tving my necktie few
minutes before dinner, and rejecting
that, though nervousness, want of
leisure and euen blighted affections
might be got over, at least had rea.
son that would preserve me from matri-
mony. Badell hurried into my room.
"Lvok here" he said, "I'm in deuce
of box Smithers is going to propose
to Miss Maxwell; ard, hang it, that's
Edithr
"Whatl you're both in love with Miss
MAXWELL" So
"Yes, and that forward beast, Smith
era, will be sure TO propose right of; ana
I've never had good opportunity"
my dear Budell, you must make
your opportunity. Do it tonight"
Tonight? Why, it's dinner-time al.
ready; and after dinner we've to have
those blessed tableaux vivants; and good
ness knows what Smithers will do while
I'm looking after the wretched affairs.
And then, tomorrow, I've promised
Csrlyon to start for the east moor at 9
o'clock"
| 1 endeavored to comfort him by sug.
costing that possibly Miss Maxwell
might refuse Smithers; but Budell
shuddered at the possibility of being
forestalled. He was palpably upset, and
he looked nervous and anxious all din
ner time. The company generally at
tributed it to theatrical responsibility,
but they were wrong; Budell was too
old hand to be anxious about anything
so simple as tableaux vivants. Smithers,
on the other hand, had secured a seat
beside Miss Maxwell. and seemed to be
making himself vastly agreeable.
The tableaux began Immediately after
dinner, and they were great success.
Budell had skillfully arranged them,
without attempting to make them
series; and music, supposed to be appro.
pirate or to have reference to each
tableau. was played while the curtain
was up. Curiously enough. in the
second last tableau. Miss Maxwell,
Smithers and Budell were to appear by
themselves; aud still mrre curiously the
subject of it was "The Rivals" Where
Budell had got it don't know; probably
in his inner consciousness. It was sup
posed to be . woodland scene in the
paint-snd powder days. A young lady
was discovered seated on . bank, with q
lover kneeling ct her feet. and holding
one OF her hands. At little distance,
and unseen by either of the lovers, was q
rival glazing from among the trees ct the
transporting pair. The tableau was
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