The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-01-06

"Has anything now turned up apou' 'io
American affair ?"
"No, sir" Wynn stammered, blushing
like the veriest schoolgirl. II am not here
to speak of business. l must beg your
pardon for trespassing upon your time at
this hour, but you were SO very kind 1e"
days ago as to promise"
"Well, out with it, man?'
That you would assist me
"Aha-the young woman! L remember
now!' exclaimed Mr.. Blair, laughing heart
lily. $50 you have seen her? What does
she think of my plan?" 49,,
eShe has consented, sir," faltered the
book-keeper, keeping his face carefully
hidden behind the lid of desk in which
to all appearance, he was searching buslly
"On the day after tomorrow evening, ii
convenient to you
"The sooner the better! My boy, I am
quite ready to keep my word. As he spoke
the merchant turned to his desk and filled
up a cheque, which he handed to his com,
panion. There is the wedding present OF
which I spoke Of course, you must get a
special license. My carriage will also be
at your service at whatever time and place
you choose to appoint. By the way, what
does the young lady think of the China
project? hope your marriage will not at
feet your decision with regard to it.
"She is anxious that should do what
ever is most pleasing to you, sir.
"Ah, I see she is a sensible woman! L
should like to call in the course OF the
evening, after the ceremony is over, and Of
fer my congratulations, if you and Mrs.
WYNN intend to remain in London"
"Thank you, sir, l was going to ask
something of the kind. We expect to be
at the Grosvenor Hotel
"Should you like a weeks holiday?"
"Not at present, thank you" answered
Wynn, feeling guilty that he was extreme
ly likely to be given much more prolong-
ed holiday than he desired.
Every we'll, my boy. l wish you all
manner of luck Return in the course of
the morning, and will give you the let
ter promised to my friend the clergy
man.
About 9 o'clock P M. on the day of the
marriage Mr. Blair, adorned with the usual
splendor of light kid gloves and a white
necktie, and carrying an enormous bouquet
of roses and orange blossoms, entered the
Grosvenor Hotel and inquired for MIR. and
Mrs. Wynn. He was told that the gentle
man had been at the hotel in the morning
and engaged rooms for himself and wife,
but has not as yet appeared with the lady.
"Then 1 will wait in ther rooms until
they arrive; it can't be long now," replied
the merchant; and he was shown into the
pleasant little sitting room reserved for the
pair whom the astute clerk had already
settled in his own mind to be bride and
groom.
Mr.. Blair had not long to wait, though
in his present state of good humor he could
very easily have borne a longer delay than
the half hour he passed in well-satisfed
musing over the good luck which lately
seemed to have attended his every move
ment. He had received letter from the
young man whom he hoped to call his SON
in-law, appointing day for his visit to
Richmond, and the prospect of this mar
riage was above all source of self-cOngrat-
ulation with him:
Then too this evenings event afforded
him indescribable amusement, as he pictur-
ed to himself the wrath and CONSERVATION
of the man who he had firmly convinced him.
self had injured him deeply when he dis
covered that his only daughter had be-
slowed herself upon an impecunious book
keeper. All alone to himself Mr.. Blair
chuckled with malicious enjoyment over
this most delightful of jokes, and rejoiced
in his own share in bringing his enemy to
confusion.
Il wonder how soon papa is to be told
of the happy event" he soliloquized. "Who
knows? Perhaps it will be family party
to-night!'
Later the merchant had taken out his
pocket-book and was deep in an abstruse
calculation as to certain weighty transac-
tions which Nigh be undertakenwhen little
of the wealth of his prospective son-in-law
had filtered into the firm, when there was
a sound of voices and footsteps in the hall,
pausing at the door, and Mr.. Blair knew
that the bridal party had arrived.
Thrusting the book into his pocket and
seizing the bouquet, he rose and stood in
readiness, when the door was thrown open
by the waiter, and, sure enough, Wynn en-
tered, having on his arm a lady closely
yelled.
The merchant advanced, bowling low,
with outstretched hand, which was rather
hesitatingly taken by the book-keeper, who
muttered only few half-incoherent words
of thanks in reply to the congratulations
offered him. Mr.. Blair scarcely noticed
the young mans evident confusion, so oc-
cupied was he in vainly trying to discover
his companions identity through the thick
veil which she had not as yet raised. There
seemed to him something oddly familiar in
her figure, though, much to his chagrin, he
saw instantly that she was certainly some
inches shorter than Miss Brooks.
"And your wife Am not to have the
pleasure of making her acquaintance he
said, feeling somehow vaguely uneasy.
Then the veil was slowly raised, to reveal
the face of the merchants own daughter,
pale, frightened, beseeching; but still for a
moment the man failed to understand.
"Dora!" he said, in bewilderment. "What
are you doing here?"
Dead silence followed; then the fairest of
the merchants castles in Spain fell with a
crash.
"Can it be possible that you are this
mans wife ?"
eyes, dear father, it is quite true" said
the girls pleading voice. "Won't you try
to forgive us 1t can't make very much
difference to you. You can't miss me, you
know, for you never needed me, and | need
ed so sorely some one to love me!'
The book-keeper was holding his wife 8
hand firmly all the time, and only drew her
a little closer to him as he added
1--WE are far from deserving it, 1 know,
but hope you don't forget that you prom
ised us your blessing, Mr.. Blair.
The merchant was about to speak, but
suddenly checked himself and, turning alb
ruptly, walked to the window, where in to-
taI silence he stood motionless for few