Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-01-27
WYNN turned fairly cold

posed to help you.
''How, sir7" gasped Wynn.
"Why-hem!-if the old fellow won't give his
consent. WHIP shouldn't you do without it?
What do YOU think of clipping with herr"
what, sir" cried Wynn, hardly believing
his ears. 'eou really advise me to do that?'
~. "Ies Yes nosr What's more, IN give you
the price OF tue license for q wedding present
to be of, besides throwing in my blessing into
the bargain! know clergyman a few miles
from here, who would do the job for you Will
i linz especially II give you note to him.
"And you positively win give us your bless
Ing and assistance, no matter who the young
lady may be?" exclaimed the bookkeeper,
almost involuntarily.
Positively" replied his employer, firm in the
conviction that here was a delightful opportu-
nifty of becoming revenged upon man who had
| assailed him In his weakest point-his pocket
| 4" VIII help you without asking any questions
| We must teach the grasping old sinner that his
| daughters affections are not an article of mer-
son-in-law, Wynn, my boy"
family.
'Just consult the young woman. and. If all's
| right in that quarter. let me know the day. and
| the carriage and the price of the license shall
not De wanting. shall not go back from my
| promise"
Wynn did not fall to keep his appointment
at Richmond on the following Thursday eve
ming. finding Dora at home and alone as he had
hoped; and the next morning. when Mr.. Blair
| entered his counting house, he found his book
keeper waiting anxiOusly to speak with him.
"Well. Wynn Is anything the natter" asked
the merchant, a little surprised at seeing the
young man at SO unusual an hour. HAS any
thing new turned up about the American AFFAIR.""
mo, sir" Wynn stammered, blushing like the
veriest schoolgirl. Il am not here to speak Of
business. must beg your pardon for trespass-
Ing upon your time at this hour; but you were
SO very kind few days ago as to promise"
''Well, out with it mani"
"That you would assist me-"
"Aha-the young woman! remember now!"
exclaimed Mr.. Blair, laughing heartily $50
you have seen herr What does she think of
"She has consented SIR" faltered the book
keeper. keeping his face carefully hidden be-
hind the lid of q desk In which, to all appear
ance. he was searching busily. "On the day
after tomorrow evening, if convenient to
"The sooner the better! Ny boy. am quite
ready to keep my word" AS he spoke, the
merchant turned to his desk and filled up
cheque, which he handed to his companion.
'Theie Is the wedding present of which spoke
VI course you must get a special license. My
carriage will also be at your service at whatever
time and place you choose to appoint. Blythe
way, what does the young lady think of the
China project? I hope your marriage will not
affect your decision with regard to it,"
''She is anxious that l should do whatever is
most pleasing to you, SIR
"Ah, see she is a sensible woman! l should
ike to call in the course Of the evening" after
the ceremonyyis oyer, and offer my cOngratula-
tons ifyou and Mrs Wynn intend to remain in
THANK yoh, sir was gong to ask some
thing of the, kind We expect to be at the
Grosvenor Httel''
''Should you like weeks holiday"
Not at present. thank you" answered Wynn,
feeling guiitily that he was extremely likely to
De given much more prolonged holiday than
he desired
VERY well, my boy. I wish you all manner
of luck. Return in the course of the morning
and will give you;the letter promised to my
friend the clergyman
About nine O'clock. p. M, on the day of the
marriage. Mr.. Blair. adorned with the unusual
splendor Of light kid gloves and white neck
tie. and carrying an enormous bouquet Of roses
and orange blossoms. entered the Grosvenor
hotel and inquired for Mr. and Mrs. Wynn He
was told that the gentleman had been at the
hotel IN the morning and engaged rooms for
himself and wife, but had not as yet appeared
with the lady.
'.Then will walt in their rooms until they
arrive; it can't be long now" replied the .mer-
chant; and he was shown into the pleasant lit
tie 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 born longer delay than the half
hour he passed In well-satisfied musing over the
good luck which lately seemed to have at
tended his every movement. He had received
a letter from the young man whom he hoped to
call his son-in-law. appointing a day for his
visit to Richmond, and the prospect Of this
marriage was above all source of self-con-
graduation with him.
Then, too, this evenings event afforded him
Understandable amusement, as he pictured to him.
self the wrath and CONSERVATION of the man
who he had firmly convinced himself had injured
him deeply when he discovered that his only
daughter had bestowed herself upon an impecu-
NOUS bOOkkeeper. All alone to himself Mr..
BLAIR chuckled with malicious enjoyment over
this most delightful Of jokes, and reioiced in
his own share in bringing his enemy to confu-
sion. -
~ wonder how soon papa Is to be told of
the happy event." he sOlilOquized. "WhO
knows Perhaps 1t viii 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 transactions which might
be undertaken when little of the wealth of
his prospective son-in-law had filtered into the
nrna. when there was q sound of voices and |
footsteps in the hall, pausing at the door, and |
Mr.. Blair knew that the bridal party had ar
rived.
Thrusting the book into his pocket and seiz-
iuS tIic Uouquct, lie rose ana SCOOQ In readiness.
when the door was thrown open by the waiter. |
and, sure enough, Wynn entered, having On his |
arm lady closely yelled.
The merchant advanced, bowling low, with |
outstretched hand, which was rather hesitat-
ingiy taken BY the bookkeeper. who muttered |
only few halfcoherent words of thanks In |
reply to the congratulations offered him. Mr.,
Blair scarcely noticed the young mans evident
confusion, 80 occupied was he in vainly irving
to discover his companions identity through the
thick veil which she had not as vet raised.
There seemed to him something oddly familiar
In her figure, though, much to his chagrn he
saw instantly that she was certainly some inches
shorter than Miss Brooks.
'And your wfe2 Am not to have the pleas
ure of making her acquaintance" he said, feel
Ing somehow vaguely uneasy.
Then the veil was slowly raised, to reveal the
face of the merchants own daughter. pale.
frightened, beseeching; but still tor moment
the man failed to understand.
Dora" he said in bewiderment. ''What are
Dead silence followed; then the fairest of
the merchants castles in Spain fell with a
crash.
wife?" 'O ''''' ~ '-'O ''''' '''n
Eyes, dear father it is quite true" said the
girls pleading voice. 'WOn't yOutry to forgive |