Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-11-18

said Maud, as she tripped up the stairs.
"Perhaps-ahem!-my dear-young lady,
had better say few words to you first" he
gasped, nervously.
mot here Come along. Mamma is I'D
stairs" said Miss Maud, looking at him
archly.
The captain feebly attempted to protest,
but the young lady having already reached
the first landing, he was obliged to follow.
He was presently ushered into a trim littls
drawing room, where he found an elderly
lady seated in state upon the sofa.
'This is my mother. Mamma, dear, this is
Charlie-Capt. Ogilvie, you know said Miss
Maud, gracefully performing the ceremony
of introduction.
Il already have the pleasure of your ac-
quaintance, l think, Mrs Pontifex,n he said
bowling awkwardly.
Considering the news my daughter has
told me, think 1 may venture to welcome
you in an old-fashioned manner, Capt
Ogilvie," said the elderly lady.
The captain was too much confused to I'M
derstand this speech, and before he could re-
cover himself Mrs. Pontifex had placed n
hand on each shoulder and kissed him affec-
tionately on his whiskers This touching
episode completed Capt Ogilvie's discomfit-
ure, and he dropped unlimited into chair
from sheer nervousness and dis1nay.
eve come to speak about this engage
ment, " be said, as he tugged viciously at his
glove.
"Ohl you have my full consent Capt.
Ogilvie," returned the old lady, briskly.
81 wanted to see you so as to get that over
hate formalities.
''You are very good" returned the cap
tain, evading Miss Maud's affectionate
glance. But the fact is Ii wanted to
say"
Il have inquired about your prospects,
Capt. Ogilvie, interrupted the old lady in
| genuously. From all hear / am sure
can safely confide my daughters happiness
in your keeping"
Pardon me, but what have to say does
not refer to my prospects. There has been a
"a slight mistake, a triAing misunderstood
ing. No consequence whatever, but think
l had better mention it" said the captain
desperately. But for the life of him he could
not proceed, and looked the picture OF
misery.
''Ah! see I am in the way" remarked the
old lady, after an awkward pause, as she
lose from her seat with pleasant smile. mo
}
ard l nave my household duties to attend
to-"
''Pray, don't Ieave,n cried Capt Ogilvie.
jumping up III genuine alarm at the prospect
of being left alone with the young lady in his
present unsettled and startled frame Of mind.
Il can't stay, pom my word. I shall be late
for my parade as it ("
ooh, Charlie must you 90 already. eX-
claimed Maud, reproachfully.
Must, indeed III call again this after
noon-or, at all events, l will write, " said the
captain, backing toward the door in deter
mined manner, under the influence of a veri-
table panic.
He beat hasty retreat, evading the neces
sity for formal leave taking by muttering
something about calling again in all hour or
| two. The fact was he felt completely over
whelmed by the awkwardness of the situation,
and could not Summon up the fortitude to
make his confession. The calm, matter
| of-fact manner of old Mrs. Pontifex and
| Mauds frank and innocent demeanor had COM
! pletely disconnected him. 1t was evident
that neither Of them entertained the remotest
suspicion of his guilty secret, and that both
regarded the engagement a settled thing.
| Under these circumstances he found himself
quite unequal to the task of abruptly unde-
ceiving them, and, mistrusting the effect OF
Miss Maud's blue eyes upon him in his melt
ing mood he had preferred to seek safety In
flight.
Of course, he was very angry with himself
afterward and felt more perplexed and en-
barrassed than ever He was afraid to trust
himself to call again, and he was equally
averse to putting pen to paper. Consequently,
after mature elaboration, he resolved to take
a middle course, and to do nothing. 1t was
impossible, he reflected, that Maud and her
mother could have failed to remark his cold
ness and if he neglected to keep his appoint
ment and studiously refrained from going near
them, they must necessarily realize that there
had been q misunderstanding. He was quite
conscious of the weakness and unmanlinesS of
this plan, not to speak of the want of cour-
tesy and consideration for the young lady
which it involved. But he was in such a state
Of almost ludicrous distress that he selfshly
thought of nothing but his own embarraSs-
ment.
For three days, therefore, Capt. Ogilvie
hardly stirred from his rooms, and tremu-
lousy looked for the result of his unworthy
maneuvre. He fully expected that Maud
and her mother would call upon him, under
the natural impression that ne had been sud
denly taken i'll, and he therefore gave strict
orders that he was not at home 10 visitors.
They did not disturb him, however and it
was not until he had begun to breathe more
| freely that he received letter from Maud,
asking for az explanation of his conduct. He
| opened it with considerable trepidation, not
un:easonably anticipating that it might for
mally release him from his engagement. But,
to his great disappointment and increased dis
may. it did nothing of the kind. On the con
trary, the reproaches it contained were very
| light compared with the expressions of unalter-
able affection, and it ended with the follow.
| ing significant sentence:
you must come without fail tomorrow,
dearest, for mamma has asked few near rel
| atives and old friends to make your acquaint-
| ance. | am overwhelmed with kind congrat-
ulations on our engagement, and 1 long to
see to you, if only to be able to answer the
numerous questions that ara asked me about
the probable date of our marriage
"Good heavensIr CALCULATED Capt Ogilvie,
fairly horror-stricfzen. THE foolish girl has
been announcing the engagement all over the
place. must put stop to il at all hazards II
After taking few agitated strides across
the room, he opened his desk for the purpose
of writing letter. which would, at least,
prevent further mischief. He found this No
easy task, however, especially as he saw the