Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1884-01-24

pected saiuta:ion. Mr.. Ferrninghan
passed on. deeply intent on the cngrav
ing in the opposite shop window.
II thought So" said Mrs. EstcOte
with a curl of her lip.
WHAT does il meanp" asked Glars
IN surprise, not unmingled with MORT
ficatiun.
$40 come back to our news" said
Mrs. Estcote, whipping up her ponie,
~ way OF escape-valve To her excited
feelings. "You haven't heard, then
that YOU have lost all your property
That the San Antonio WIS wreck.dP'
The San Antonio was wrecked "
Clara innoceDtly made answer, "bul
that made no difference To me- nv
guardian sold her a month ago ia
Messrs. Easy d Golightly, and my prop
erty i ali invested in good, safe bonds
and mortgage"
Neither, suppose, have you heard
that you had gone into n florists store
To attend his counter there for a living?'
1 did go INFO Il florist store the day
before Yesterday said Clara. after "a
moment or twoof puzzled retrospection.
But IL was only To John Hardie's. John
used TO be papa's gardener before lie
went into the florists business, and
often run in aud make up bouquets out
of his flowers to suit myself But
wasn't hired, neither did sell the bou-
quets, she added, with a laugh ut the
comicality OF the whole idea.
just about AS much foundation to
this a. there is to most of Mrs. Grund, s
reports" said Mrs. E>tcote, with toss
of her pretty little plumed hat Nov
you know the reason that Mr.. Herbert
Birmingham didn't see you"
Also, l suppose said Miss Annes-
lie, 1.-THE reason that have received no
cards to Mrs. Fernin cham furthcom-
ing soiree. Never mind, can endure
it. But who told you thisp"
"My brother-in law, Jack Estcote. "
Ibid he believe itP''
''Of course he did. He had it direct
from Celeotia Ferningbam.
Clara colored; her little fingers tight
9ned on the clasp of her gilded porte
monnaie.
And yet he called as usual last
night. He-he asked me to marry
him"
What did you tell himP"
III said would consider"
'Well, then, consider" said Mrs.
Escole, gu city. sit is Il matter not
lightly to be decided. But remember
this, Clara; Jack E,tcote would Fave
married you if you had been s. beggar
girl holding out YOUR hands for pence
at the street corners -
Clara Anneslie went home and
Thought the question over at her leisure,
and the more she thought of it the
more she became convinced in her in
most mind of two things. One was
that she had a lucky escape from the
tolls of Herbert Feruingham; the
other that sue was almost certain that
she liked honest-hearted, frank-sou.ed
Jack Estcote well enough TO marry him;
always provided, of course. that he
should ask her again.
He did ask her again, anil just rs she
had said Eyes, with the prettiest of
pink bushes upon her cheek, there
came ring at the door bell, and in
stumbled Mr.. Herbert birmingham in
very great hurry.
''Oh! l beg your pardon, I'm sure
said that gentleman. Il hope I'm not
mot IN the least" said Jack Estcote,
complacently.
but my mother has sent a card
for her soiree tonight. 1t was acct
dentally omitted. Extremely awkward,
I'm sure, but"
So Clara Annesle became aware that
the curious rumor about her poverty
was contradicted in society.
Eyes" said she, quietly, ut is rath-
er awkward. But such misundersiand.
ings will occur sometimes. am sorry
that | cannot accept"
Cant acceptP' frowned Mr.. Fern
ingham.
why not?'
Because. said Clara, with another
blush and a smile, that made her face
look like a rose in the sunshine, Il am
engaged"
And that was ali the satisfaction
thai Mr.. Herbert birmingham could get
upon the subject.