The Press., 1884-08-14
CLEVER NR. PARADISE.

(. -OO. SONEAGy sAuEs i<o, Aoo4. AfsAEH
 CLEVER NR. PARADISE.
 Old MT. Paradise was vulgar old gen tleman, whose cissf merit was that he had raised himselt by his own industry and ability from the humblest origin to the position of mefUhant prince. He had an only daughter, of whose beauty and ac- complishments he was not unjustly proud. But, though he vas an indulgent father in most things, he made no secret of his in- tention that she should marry whom he pleased, and not choose husband for her self Like most self-made men, he de- sired son. in law as rich as himself, and was particularly on his guard against needy fortune hunters. Unfortunately, he had not the tact to discriminate between the latter class and tlIe would-be sritors, whose prospects would, in the opinion of less exacting parent, have justified them in as- piring to his daughters hand. For in stance. nothing could be reasonably urged against young Aeheson Balbernie, whose admiration for Ethel Paradise was honest and undisguiseda He was adjutant to his regiment, had qualified for staff appoint ment, and was regarded as highly prom ising young officer. Besides being a gen tleman by birth and education, he had a very fair privatet income, and, in short, most parents would have regarded him as rather a good match. But MT. Paradise was by no means satisfied with the young mans prospects and position, and when ii began to dawn upon him that matters were getting serious, he immediately assumed a hostile and aggressive attitude. ..4.
 'I shall have to give that young Bal bernie bit of my mind, Loo, he remark ed to his wife ill an ominous tone, one af ternoon, observing the young man deer in az animated conversation with Miss Ethel "he's always coming here."
 "I'm sure, John, you particularly askso him here yourself" said Mrs. Paradise uneasily. zt
 T asked the whole garrison, for tha matter, he returned sharply. "H he ha6 any proper feefng he'd have stopped
 "Why ?" inquired his wife.
 "Why ?" Because he isn't wanted here that's why," answered MT. Paradise, i'm patiently. ''What he is up to is as plai1 as pikestaff-he's after our Ethel"
 "Well, I'm sure, John, he is very nic' young man," his wife ventured to say.
 "He isn't good enough for me, and IT tell him so at once," said MT. Paradise moving of toward the tennis ground, witt an angry frown.
 ''Stay minute, John," said his wife imploringly. "I wouldn' say anything t. him if were you-not to-day. IT thinl Ethel likes him, John." -,,.. .--s-e
 ''What P roared old MT. Paradise, grow ing very red in the face. "You think tn girl likes him, and you've never said word to me !'' IL <~4
 Poor Mrs. Paradise looked painful, guilty, and seemed completely annihilate' by his furious indignation. She was gentle, meek-spirited lady, who had lonI ago realized the trusty old adage that riche do not constitute happiness. When sh married MT. Paradise he was strugglin clerk, and in those dsys his temper wa certainly easier to put up with Prosper ity had rendered him dictatorial and over bearing to degree which caused him t develop into domestic tyrant. Forget ting his own origin, he was keenly con scious of his wife's homeliness and defect i've education, and attributed entirely t her the coldness with which the more ez elusive of their neighbors regarded them Re repaid her devotion by a sort of con temptuous tolerance, although he some times showed remorse when he had bee more than unusually harsh to her, an thereby demonstrated that his old affet tion had not entirely died away.
 On this occasion, however, there was n sign of tenderness in the manner wit which he regarded her. He stood owe her with his hands in his pockets, and hi thick eyebrows knitted together in an n'ugl frown as he said:
 "There's been some hanky -panky goin on. Its no use trying to deceive me How do you know Ethel likes the youn fellow" "~'
 "Well, I think so,'' said Mrs. Paradise sinking beneath his gaze.
 "You mean you know it. She told yo so, I suppose" he exclaimed, reading he mind as clearly as though she had spoker
 -'sYes, John, she did tell me SO" sai Mrs. Paradise, with g guilty start.
 'I suppose you are going on to say ths encouraging them behind my back h said, still feroely interrogatlng her.
 sEthel knows she cannot consider he self engaged without your consent, John, said his wife, plucking up little spir from sheer desperation. s'When she tol me said the matter must be kept secrt until had asked you if you had any ol , jection. though it better that shoul break the news to you before MT. Babe nie spoke.' sH
 "Well, won't keep him long in SUI pense, and shall have a word to say you afterward, Loo, about what I think your conduct" said MT. Paradise, pa { with anger, and controlling himself with great effort, as he walked toward the doc
 'John John ]" she cried after hin . half rising from her seat. "Well ?' he said, impatiently, over h shoulder. .f
 ''Think of poor Ethel, John, " murmu ed his wife.
 ''I am thinking of her, only you and don't think alike on the subject, he grow F ed