Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-05-18
CHAPTER XXI

." A man of truly economic mind j. al
ways distinguished by his carefulness
about cab-farcs and his umbrella"
lie was shown into the drawing-roOm
where he found Miss Cuthbcrt alone
IL was the first time they had met i'm
/ private since the breach between her
and Maurice; but Mr.. Calthorpc was rs
/ gracious ~ IL there had been no breach,
and n IL there had never been any in
terruption 81 the familiar intercourse he
had been accustomed to hold with her
rs the oldest friend If her father. He
was conscious Of both circumstances.
however, a well rs If their cause. and
he was secretly chuekling 10 himself ut
the prospect IT the surprise he had in
store for the proud lady. He had much
satisfaction in thinking that hc would
| presently show her how easily she and
her fortune could be- dispensed with by
his son. and how greatly she had
wronged him.
." ] am delighted To- see YOU looking
~ remarkably well, my dear Miss Cuth-
bert. Upon my word, think the air
of London agrees with you better than
that Of Hollyfor,l."
And | am delighted that YOU have
been able to- come. Mr.. Calthorpe. I
was 50 much afraid that you might be
engaged
/ He had not observed n momcntary
/ glance Of slyncSs on h0r part rs he en-
tered, and he did not detect the twinkle
of miSchievOus fun in her eyes when she
/ spoke with natural cordiality.
"Of course, my engagements are
numerous numerous he said.
| with the air of man who has resigned
himself to the martyrdom of his own
/ popularity; adding CALAMITY, " but
when You summon me, everything else
must give way
THANK You, il is very good of YOU
to say so. But You know II is a long
| tinac since YOU visited u.s.
That is true; dear me. how time
does fly! l sometimes wonder il the
great magician. Science, among his
other maryels. has not played us a trick
and put some electric force into the
| wheels of Time, so that we find our
selves nj the end of life before we are
quite conscious that it has begun. But
there. time is only an agreeable topic
for the young; beauty is topic for all
ages. Let US talk about yourself You
wrote that you desired particularly to
see me. ="
Yes, and YOU will be surprised when
you learn why"
Pleasantly. have no doubt"
hope so. for il is to ask you to-to
my wedding"
Your wcddingr'
Yes, and | wished to ask YOU i'm
this way rather than by formal invi-
tatiOn, because YOU are my fathers old
est friend. and / feel rs il YOU were al
most relative. L. hope you will
come"
There was no more awkwardness in
the delivery Of this pretty little adj
dress than might have been expected;
and II there were n slight emphasis on
the words almost relative" il was
not enough tn attract attention.
why. this Is the second bridal an
nOuncemcnt have had this morning"
calculated Mr. Calthorpe smiling. and
yet sensible that the importance of his
tidings was considerably lessened by
what he had just heard. Then impress
lively, ''You have touched me deeply bv
asking me in this way and treating me
n relative. At one time, indeed.
had hoped 20 have the right Of call
ing myself your close relative; Your
father had the same hope, and VIZ
thought IL would be pleasing climax 10
our lifelong friendship. That was not
To be. You young people have WAYS of
your own which bewilder us old people.
and we must be content to allow YOU To
have pretty much your own way in the
choice If partners
MY father is quite satisfied"
81 have no doubt of IL. and trust
most sincerely that none of US NAV be
disappointed in the character Of the
man you have chosen. and on whom so
much Of your future happiness will de-
pend. can only say that il will afford
me the greatest pleasure TO be- present
NJ your marriage ceremony, and n one
who sincerely desires that your life may
be long and happy l offer YOU my con-
gratulations.
Mr.. Calthorpe had the agreeable
sensation produced by the belief that he
had acquitted himself most gracefully.
and nothing could have surpassed the
elegance Of his bow rs he concluded his
remarks. His back was turned toward
the door. so that he did not observe il
open and give entrance To Colonel
Cuthbcrt and Maurice. His attention
was drawn to.the fact by Mabel.
IL am glad to be able TO introduce YOU
at once, Mr.. Calthorpe, to nv future
husband" she said. laughing. as she
took the hand Of Maurice.
''Whatl-why. when was this ar
ranged?' cried Mr.. Calthorpe, as
founded.
only a few days ago. responded
his son. land we have been obliged to
allow her to be the first to give YOU the
glad news. II was only DELAYED be-
cause she could not until last night
muster courage enough TO TX the time
for telling You.
Mr.. Calthorpe looked in amazement
from one to the other.
But what about the engagement to
Powell?"
That was nv mistake and Powelrs,
poor fellow" said the Colonel. He
always spoke 20 me 50 confidently that
I. like him. fancied his suit was progress
sing favorably when il was making no
progress At ALL r,rr -rr
my dear child. = said Mr.. Claiborne.
embracing bis future dau0hterlin-law,
81 congratulated 700 before, but / con-
grAtulste you again With al my heart.
But IL was not fair Of you-you sly
roguesl-to play such huge practical
joke upon me. And you. Cuthbert,
YOU are as bad as the Others, for /
would have detected the hoax at once
bat for you" Fi.I.
II really had no intention of mislead-
ing YOU"
"W course not, of course NOT Ifor-