The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-05-11

She was in his arms; they kissed.
The past, the future, doubt, fear, friends
the world were all annihilated: there
was for them only that moment of COM
plete JOY.
CHAPTER XXI.
CON RATULATIoNS
MIR. Calthorpe was accompanied by
his son to the corner of the square in
which Colonel Cuthbert's house was sit
uated. There Maurice got out. "leav-
ing me to pay the fare, the cunning dog!
he is sure to succeed" said the father
to himself, admiring his sons prudence.
"a man of truly economic mind is al
ways distinguished by his carefulness
about cab-fares and his umbrella"
He was shown into the drawing-room
where he found Miss Cuthbert alone.
1t was the first time they had met in
private since the breach between her
and Maurice; but Mr.. Calthorpe was as
gracious as if there had been no breach,
and as if there had never been any in
terruption of the familiar intercourse he
had been accustomed to hold with her
as the Oldest friend of her father. He
was conscious of both circumstances,
however. as well as of their cause. and
he was secretly chuckling to himself at
the prospect of the surprise he had in
store for the proud lady. He had much
satisfaction in thinking that he would
presently show her how easily she and
her fortune could be dispensed with by
his son. and how greatly she had
wronged him.
Il am delighted to see you looking
so remarkably well, my dear Miss Cuth-
bert. Upon my word, think the air
of London agrees with You better than
that of Hollyford.''
land am delighted that you have
been able to come, Mr. Calthorpe. |
was SO much afraid that you might be
engaged"
He had not observed momentary
glance of slyness on her part as he en-
tered, and he did not detect the twinkle
of mischievous fun in her eyes when she
spoke with natural cordially.
"Of course, my engagements are
numerous-too numerous" he said.
with the air of man who has resigned
himself to the martyrdom of his own
popularity; adding gallantly, but
when you summon me, everything else
must give way"
THANK YOU, it is very good of You
to say SO. But you know it is long
time since you visited u.s."
THAT is true; dear me, how time
does fly! / sometimes wonder if the
great magician. Science, among his
ntbar ,,,o,IolS hoe mot ,,l,x nc :. 4r;,l-
and put some electric force into the
wheels of Time, so that we find our
selves at 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 a 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, 1 have no doubt"
az hope so, for it is to ask you to-to
my wedding"
Your weddingr'
Eyes, and / wished to ask you in
this way rather than by formal invi-
tation, because you are my fathers old
est friend, and feel as if 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 if there were slight emphasis on
the words almost relative" it was
not enough to attract attention.
"Why, this is the second bridal an
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 by
asking me in this way and treating me |
as a relative. At one time, indeed,
had hoped to have the right of call
ing myself your close relative: your |
father had the same hope, and We
thought it would be a pleasing climax to |
our lifelong friendship. That was not |
10 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 of partners"
my father is quite satisfied. i
a have no doubt of it, and trust |
most sincerely that none of us may be
disappointed in the character of the
man you have chosen, and on whom SO
much of your future happiness will de-
pend. l can only say that it will afford |
ne the greatest pleasure to be present
1t your marriage ceremony, and as one |
who sincerely desires that your life may
De long and happy 1 offer you my con-
Mr.. Calthorpe had the agreeable
sensation produced by the belief that he
lad acquitted himself most gracefully,
md nothing could have surpassed the
elegance of his bow as he concluded his
His back was turned toward
he door, SO that he did not observe it
,pen and give entrance to Colonel
Cuthbert and Maurice. His attention
vas drawn to the fact by Mabel.
81 am glad to be able to introduce you
It once, Mr.. Calthorpe, to my future
she said, laughing, as she
ook the hand of Maurice.
"What!-why, when was this ar