The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1884-02-21

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feeling that he had made a fool of him
self; but, on the other hand, the dis
covery that his daughter and young
Balbernie had come together again was
now a relief to him, instead of a source
of anger and indignation. Now that
the young man was wealthy, even. com
pared with himself, though, to be sure.
he still had the satisfaction of feeling
that he could buy up his future SON
in-law if he chose-he saw no possible
objection to the marriage. He had no
particular prejudice against young
Balbernie personally, but rather the
reverse, and it was satisfactory to find
that he could, after all, honestly APP
prove of his daughters choice.
Having got what particulars his
brother magistrate could furnish of
young Balbernie's good fortune, Mr..
Paradise returned home in the best pos
sible spirits, in joyful anticipation of
the agreeable task of withdrawing his
opposition to his chiid's wishes, and
bringing about the marriage without
delay. But he was a shrewd old gen.
tleman, and during the drive home it
occurred to him that upon the whole it
might be wiser, under the circum-
stances, not to volunteer his consent.
He had not much delicacy of feeling,
but he could not ignore the fact that
his sudden change of front would be
attributed to its true motive. Moreover,
it was possible that his future son-in-
law, being now rich and independent,
might refuse to be married under his
auspices, and it would be awkward if
the young man should publicly display
his resentment. Upon consideration,
therefore, he resolved to allow the con-
spiracy which he had discovered to take
its course. There was something in
the notion which tickled his sense of
humor; and the prospect of quietly
looking on while his wife and daughter
imagined he was ignorant of their pro-
ceedings promised to afford him amuse-
ment. When the marriage had taken
place he would be able to play the part
of a magnanimous and for9iving parent,
while his neighbors would no be able
to accuse him of having brought about
the marriage in consequence of his son
in-law's altered circumstances.
Old Mr.. Paradise thought himself
very clever indeed when he had ar
rived at this determination, and
chuckled a good deal at his own acute
ness. He first posted his daughters
letter, which he had fortunately opened
in such a manner thathe was able to seal
it up again without leaving any sus-
picious trace of its having been tam
pered with. He also took the precau-
ton to bride his daughters maid, and
had the satisfaction of learning that
she had not mentioned that he had in
tercepted the letter. These prelimina-
ries being arranged, there was moth
ing further for him to do but quietly to
await the issue of the conspiracy. He
went up to town, however, and having
looked up at his club the Scotch paper
which his neighbor had referred. to, he
paid a visit to his lawyer. With this
exception he never stirred from home
during the next ten days, but was
highly amused by observing the nerv-
BUSINESS and agitation of his wife and
daughter. He often felt strongly
tempted to mention young Balbernfe's
name for the purpose of enjoying their
considerations; but he refrained from
doing so from his anxiety not to give
the slightest ground for suspicion that
he guessed what was in the wind. Be-
sides, he was sufficiently diverted by
watching the secret preparations which
were going forward. He derived a
grim sort of satisfaction, in the midst of
his humor. from his poor wife's tremu-
lous eagerness to appear calm and I'M
concerned. 1t was evident that her
conscience smote her severely for her
disloyalty, and that she was thoroughly
cowed at the prospect of mourning his
anger and Indignation. His daughter,
on the other hand, lad an air of quiet
determination, in spite of her natural
trepidation, which impressed Mr.. Para
disc with the conviction that perhaps
after all his poor wife, in giving her
countenance and support to the con-
spiracy, was only acting as she thought
for the best in a desperate situation.
When the day fixed for the welding
arrived, Mr.. Paradise started off early
in the morning for a neighboring town,
from whence he proposed, though he
gave no hint of his intention, to travel
to London. He had learned from the
daughters letter the name of the church
where the ceremony was to take place,
and he intended to be present as a
spectator if he could creep in unob-
served. His wife had mentioned that
she was going to take Ethel to London
for a days shopping, and he had
gravely accepted the announcement,
while secretly laughing in his sleeve.
1t is possible, had he known nothing,
his suspicious might have been aroused
by the n in which his daughter
chung to him when she kissed him be-
fore he left. Indeed, he almost broke
down himself at that critical moment,
and found it necessary to assume an
aspect of boisterous hilarity in order to
hide his emotion.
Mr.. Paradise managed to be present
at his daughter wedding. 1t took place
in a large and gloomy church at the
West end of London, and he contrived
to mingle with the passers-by, who had
been attracted by the signs of the quiet
wedding. Had Mrs. Paradise been
aware that her husband was present as
an approving spectator, she would have
been spared a great deal of the distress
which she plainly manifested. Mr..
Paradise was quite touched by her
emotion, of which he guessed the chief
cause, and felt half inclined to come
forward. He did not do so, however,
but waited quietly until the ceremony
had been performed. when he slipped
away, and, after a short interview with
his lawyers, caught an early train home.
When Mrs. Paradise arrived back
later in the day she was greeted by her
husband, who met her in the hall, and
at nee inquired, in a perfectly natural
manner, what had become of Ethel.
Il will tell you, John. Come into
the dininG-rcom," she said, leading the
way with a faltering step and a face as
white as marble.
Old Mr.. Paradise followed, secretly
gratified by his wife's fear-stricken as
pect. But when she turned upon him,
the agony of apprehension which was
visible in her scared face and imploring
gaze touched a chord of pity in his
heart and disarmed his resentment.
"Never mind, Loo, old girl" he in
terposed, not unkindly, as she moved
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