The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-02-23


anger and Indignation. His daughter,
on the other hand, had 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 wedding
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
daughter letter the name of the church
where the ceremony was to take place,
and he intended to be present as q
spectator if he could creep in unob-
served. His wife had mentioned that
she was going to take Ethel to London
for 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 manner in which his daughter
cIung 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 swedding. i took place
in a large and gloomy church at the
West end of London, and he contrived
lni4gie with the passers-by, who had
Tbeeh 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 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 once inquired, in perfectly natural
manner, what had become of Ethel.
81 viii tell you, John. Come into
the diningrcom, she said, leading the
way with a faltering step and face as
white as marble.
Old Mr.. Paradise followed, secretly
gratitied 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
her pale lips to speak. II know what
you are going to say. You are going
to say Ethel has married young Bal
bernie"
80, John! How did you guess?' she
cried, clasping her hands, and staring
at him in terrified way.
sit was no use trying to conceal any
thing from me, Loo he said, unable
to resist the temptation of revealing his
shrewdness give known what was
up for the last fortnight. Why, [ went
to the church this morning. But you
needn't let out that | knew it before
this moment" he added, hastily re-
Penting of his rash confession.
'Then you will forgive Ethel, John.
exclaimed his wife, passionately, Selling
his hand and kissing it.
There, there; l suppose 1 must,
he returned, with apparent reluctance.
''She is our only child, and dare say
Balbernie isn't such a bad young fellow.
In fact, Loo, I've done it already, and
I've been and made fool of myself "
"What do you mean?' she inquired,
nervously.
Il didn't want my girl to 90 to her
husband empty-handed," said the old
man, with conscious pride; $50 wen
to my lawyer, and I've settled q hunt
dred thousand pounds on her. I guess
there are not many fathers in England
who could afford to do that without
winking'
80, John! 1t is good-it is noble of
youn' cried his wife, Historically.
''What's more" resumed old Mr.
Paradise, as though resolved to outdo
hln4oCll III SSuClOSluY, IL NIItG u
letter to the young fellow and say that
I'm willing to let by-gones be by cones.
It's no good doing things by halves,
Loo; and as he is our daughters hus-
band, we had better make the best of
it."
He walked from the room as he
spoke, leaving his wife too dazed to
realize the full measure of relief and
Joy which his behavior brought to her
After short interval he returned with
letter which he had written TO his
son-in-law. 1t was short, and to the
point, but was decidedly cordial in its
tone, and could hardly fail to reconcile
the young man to his father-in-law
Among other things, it mentioned the
handsome settlement he had made upon
his daughter, and inclosed was check
for f500 to enable the young couple to
purchase a wedding present from him
during their honeymoon. This letter
the old man went out and posted with
hisSwn hand then and there,
During the evening he caught his
wife looking at him once or twice in
rather an anxious, wistful manner, and
being in high good humor he said at
length:
.sWhat's up, old lady? Out with it.
You've something on your mind.
"No, John, haven't she said,
rather hastily, 81 was only wondering
if YOU had heard the report about