Evening star., 1884-07-19

house as last as his legs could carry him burst
ing TO give vent to his pent-up feelings But,
On arriving there, he found q neighbor's carriage
at the door as well as his own This reminded
him that he was due at the local bench. OF
which. for the time being. he was chairman, and
the recollection OF his judicial importance helped
him, too, that he could not very well reuroach
his wife and daughter before visitors, but his
lmpatience was 80 great that he could not bear
the idea OF sitting his wrath until the guests
had departed He therefore wisely resolved to
keep his magisterial engagement and reserve
the scene with his wife until his return
1t was observed at the local bench that morn
ing that q remarkable change came over the
worshipful chairman in the course OF the pro-
ceedings AT the opening Of the court, there
was look Of suppressed Irritation upon his
brow which boded ill for the unfortunate pris-
oners who were to come before him. But, half
an hour later, he suddenly recovered from his
Ill humor, and for the rest of the day, his
demeanOr was, for him, quite amlabe and
inotfensive. The cause of this phenomenon was
that during short pause which ensned between
one case and another. brother magistrate had
whispered to him behind his hand
Il say. Paradise! Do you recollect that
young Balbernie whom introduced to you last
summer"
eyes, dc" he returned, shortly.
"Have you heard he has come in for fortune
nearly half a million, they say"
Really; now How do you knows" in
II saw 1t announced in Scotch paper but
had heard it before An uncle died and left him
everything. By the by, heard he was spooney
On your daughter, Paradise"
The next case being then called On, Mr.. Para
disc was spared the necessity of replying to this
awkward remark. The news fairly took his
breath away; but, though he could hardly real
ze it, 1t had the effect Of banshing his evil tenn
per. He had an uncomfortable feeling that he
had made fool of himself; but on the other
0iSnOVprv hat dann
young Balberne had come together again was
now source OF great relief to him, instead of
anger and indignation. Now that the young
man was wealthy, even compared with himself
though, to be sure, he still had the satisfaction
of feeling that he could "buy up" his futnre SON.
in-law If he chOse-he saw no possible objection
to the marriage. He had no particular preju-
dce against young Balbernie personally. but
rather the reverse and it was satisfactory to find
that he could. after all, honestly approve 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 possible spirits in joyful anticipation
position to his child's wishes, and bringing
about the marriage without delay. But he
was shrewd old gentleman, and, during the
drive home, it occurred to him that upon the
whole 1t 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, 1t was possible that his future SON.
tp-law, being now rich and ndepepdent
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 conspiracy which he had discovered to
notion which tckled his sense of humor, and
the prospect OF quietly looking on while his
wife and daughter imagined he was ignorant
OF their proceedings promised to afford him
amusement. When the marriage had taken
place he would be able to play the part of a
magnanimous and forgiving parent, while his
neighbors would not be aDe to accuse him of
having brought about the marriage in conse-
Quence OF his son-in-law's altered circum-
stances.
Old Mr.. Paradise thought himself very clever
indeed, when he had arrived at this determina-
tion, and chuckied good deal at his own acute.
ness. He first posted his daughters letter
which he had fortunately opened in such a man
ner that he was able to seal it up again with
out leaving any conpicuOus trace OF its having
been tampered with. He also took the precall-
ton to bribe his daughters maid, aud had the
satisfaction OF learning that she had not men,
toned that he had intercepted the letter. These
preilnmarleS being arranged, there was nothing
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 visit to his lawyer. With this ex.
ception he never stirred from home during the
next ten days. but was highly amused by Obsery-
ne the nervousness and agitation of his wife and
daughter. He often felt strongly tempted to
mention young Balbernie's name for the pur-
pose OF enjoying their CONSERVATION, but he re-
Trained from doing SO from his anxiety not to
give the slightest ground for suspicion that he
guessed what was in the wind. Besides. he
was sufficiently diverted by watching the secret
preparations which were going forward He
derived grim sort Of satisfaction, in the midst
of his good humor, from his poor wife's tremu-
lOuS eagerness to appear calm and uncOncerned
lt was evident that her conscience smOte her
severely for her disloyalty, and that she W as
thoroughly cowed at the prospect of mourning
his anger and indignation. His daughter, on
the other hand. had an air Of quiet determi-
nation In spite of her natural trepldation, which
impressed Mr.. Paradise with the conviction that
perhaps after all his poor WIFE In giving her
cOuntenance and support to the conspiracy, was
only acting as she thought for the best in des-
perate situation.
When the day fixed for the wedding arrived
Mr.. Paradise started Off early in the morning for
a neighbOring town, 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 spectator if he could creep In
unObserved. His wife had mentioned that she
was going to take Ethel to London tor a day's
shopping, and he had gravely accepted the an
nouncement, 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 clung to him
when she kissed him before he left. Indeed he
almost broke down himself at that critical mo-
ment, and found it necessary to assume an as
pect OF boisterous hilarity In order to hide his
emotion.
Mr.. Paradise managed to be present at his
daughters wedding. 1t took place in large
and gloomy church at the west end of London.
and he contrived to mingle with the small crowd
OF 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 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 q short in
terview 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 a
perfectly natural manner, what had become OF
Ethel.
81 will tell you John. Come into the dining
room" she said, leading the way with a
faltering step and a face as white as marble
Old Mr.. Paradise followed, secretly gratified
by his wite's fear-stricken aspect. But
when she turned upon him, the agony of ap-
prehensiOn which was visible in her scared
face and imploring gaze touched chord of