Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-01-27
PAPA'S BLESSING.
CAUGHT IN HIS OWN TRAP.

| CAUGHI IN HIS OWN TRAP.
II have asked Wynn to come out this eyen,ns
to talk over little business, Dora II he should
arrive before I get here, you must see to hin
until come. Be kind and polite to him. m,
dear. He Is really very well-meaning and nm
assuming fellow, and the most useful book
keeper have ever had. He has seemed little
out Of sorts lately, and am sure would be mos,
grateful for any little attention from you"
This Richard Blair, the rich tea-merehant had
said to his daughter in the morning, on leaving
his pretty villa at Richmond for the city, with
an amount Of pompous condescension which
clearly manifested his sentiments with regard to
bOOkkeepers and their kind. -
Dora was an obedient daughter as her recep-
| ton of her fathers guest that evening plainly
showed; but certainly the worthy tea-merchant
would have found abundant cause to retract his
| opinion as to the same guests modest and I'M
assuming character if he had been q witness OF
his demeanOr on that occasion for no sooner
/ had the door closed upon the servant who usFl-
cred him into the presence of his young mistress
| than-tOtally unabashed and unblushing-he
/ took the young girl into his arms only releasing
her after leaving upon her ripe red lips at least
half-a-dozen warm kisses.
Dora, not appearing in the least surprised or
disconnected at this greeting, bore unfnchingly
the situation for fully two minutes before she
blushingy drew back and endeavored to bring
into something like order her soft brown hair
which, with the dainty ruffles at her throat.
had become somewhat disarranged BY the
welcome she had 80 obediently given her fathers
| guest
'It is a long time since l have seen YOU
| Harry" she remarked with bewilderiny
glance from beneath the thick lashes shading
the large gray eyes.
Il should think SO indeed-quite an age!" re-
spOnded the bOOkkeeper dismally. ~ managed
to get away half an hour before the time your
father told me he should be home, hoping to see
you alone; but he'll be sure to turn up before
he's expected-it's just my luck!"
Harry, do you know why my father has sent
| for you Tonight"
81 haven't an idea, excepting that it's some
thing about the branch of the business in Hong
Kong"
II can enlighten you little then. though
hardly think you will be as pleased as my father
seems to expect. One Of the men in the house
out there has just died; he had rather a respon-
sible position, believe, and papa wants to send
you out to take his place."
las II anything could induce me tie leave
England and you, DOra!" cried the Young man.
years!''
r,. ~ am afraid you must go, Harry" was the
my father; your refusal to obey his wishes
would probably make something very like an
enemy OF him, and render matters between us
even more hopeless than they are at present"
Dora, | must speak to your father" cried
that his daughters happiness is involved. he
can't be heartless enough to refuse our united
prayers He seems to feel rather kindly towards
me- me- Anything would be better than this un-
mo, dear Harry. Believe me, It would on1y
be exchanging uncertainty for positive resigna-
ton of all our hopes. l know nv father well.
and 1t is useless to hide from myself and you
that he loves money far better than his child
tie has declared over and over again that he
VIII never give his consent to my marriage with
man poorer than himself; and know he will
never retract his word.
And you advise me to 60 off to China, with
the probability of never seeing you again, Dora?
Nothing can be worse than that, surely"
Ion, Harry, must have time to think! |
heard of it only this morning." cried Dora. on
the verge of tears. There comes papa now.
ana have SO much still to say to you. must
see you again. Could you manage to come
down On Thursday at this time for half an hour?
that evening"
''Of course can, responded Harry, just as
the door opened to admit the master of the es-
tablishment.
En-, Wynn. You arrived first! Prompt as
ever-a most excellent quality in a young man.
hope my daughter has made you comfortable
-eh Dora?"
81 tried to do SO. papa" responded the young
lady demurey. 81 suppose my corbpahy can be
dispensed with nOw?" 90 :, ''s''o7'
you may as well send US q bottle of wine,
please"
swell, Wynn" began the merchant, when the
two men were left alone. as he walked up and
down the room. evidently satisfied with himself
and all the world, Il have to tell you that there
is excellent news from America: we have
closed the contract with that firm in New York.
of which you have heard me speak, and the
transaction will bring US in something very like
twenty thousand pounds. Not at all a bad Job
-eh, Wynn" -
'You are usually fortunate, sir" answered
Wynn, a little bitterly.
Il have something else to say which will in
terest yen more nearly. my boy. We have
Just heard OF the death of Jones, our secretary,
at Hong Kong. and am called upon to send
some one to fill his place. It's rather q good
position, and we need some one we can
trust. I've been rather pleased with the way
you've done your duties lately, and I've been
thinking-hem!-in short, I've made I'm INV
mind to give you the place"
But, sir, began Wynn, in desperation.
'Oh, no thanks! l know you appreciate It
and all that, of course and am sure we shall
be satisfied with you. Could you be ready to
90 next month";"
Il Will think it over, sir. / suppose 1t is not
necessary to give you my answer for day or
twO?"
mo, certainly not" replied the merchant. a
little surprised at Wynns way of receiving such
piece of good fortune.
Then followed an announcement which, for
an instant, caused the boOkkeeper to turn hot
and cold with lightning rapidity.. ....
perhaps you will be interested in a piece of
family news which has given me the greatest
satisfaction. Wynn. My daughter is to be mar
ried." =.
Impossible! mean. sir, had heard moth
ing OF it, stammered poor Wynn.
''Eh?" exclaimed the merchant, staring at his
companion in establishment. mo. l suppose
not. The fact of the matter is, Miss Blair doesn't
know Of it herself yet; but she will. Of course be
as pleased as am. The letter only came to-day
from an cid friend of mine who has made mil
liOns-milliOns, my boy--fn sugar, and writes
proposing marriage between his only son and
my daughter. The young man has seen INV
Dora somewhere it seems, and was quite smIt-
ten with the sly little puss. He is coming to ms
on visit next week Now, haven't cause for
rejoicing to-day. Wynn?"
"Pray, accept my congratulations sir."re-
piled the bOckkeeper lugubriOusly.
'By-the-way, Wynn. :" the merchant went on.
after moments pause devoted to golden anti
cipations, lit has struck me that you have been
rather down in the mouth lately. Are you out
Of heath?'
'Oh, no sir, thank you-not at all" responded
man Inn io1l