Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1884-10-23

ing surprised but quite unconscious.
Il shall DO most happy to hear any
communication you please to make;
but, as l cannot invite you to Walton
Lodge. being only visitor there, and
rs there Is no one here except the birds
and squirrels to overhear our CONVERSE
ton. perhaps we can talk now"
Yes, certainly; l came on pur-
pose" stammered Bob, growing more
and more nervous; 81 wantTo tell you
that is, you must please understand
that I-you-you-in fact, you can't
marry Mabel walton, ana what's more,
you sha'n't!"
Bob's sudden and defiant conclu-
sion arose more from rage at his I'M
fortunate loss of words, than from any
other cause.
"Sir!" said Mr.. Falkland, looking at
him with displeasure mixed with slight
alarm as ii he had been AN escaped
lunatic. "Will you kindly explain
Yourself Pr
''There is nothing TO explain, sir; 1
only wish you to accept the fact" said
Bob. now thoroughly oxasperated by
the others GOODNESS. Il was engaged to
Mabel Walton, with the full consent of
both parents, when was heir to my
uncle's fortune. But he, enraged be-
cause l would not marry his, adopted
daughter, left her his fortune and me
only fifty pounds per annum. Then
Mrs. Walton told me Mabel should
not marry pauper, and so broke off
our engagement, though it was for
MabePs sake that lost my fortune"
''Well, sir, said Mr.. Falkland, rs Bob
paused for breath, lin that case the
young lady is free to accept another Of
fer. -
Not ut all, sir, not at all!' Bob al
most roared. al said her mother broke
it off; but Mabel still loves me, and will
wait until can provide her home.
But Mrs. Walton has made up her
mind she shall marry you. and though
Mabel will be firm, it will cause her
endless discomfort and veXation if she
is prosecuted about il. -"
''But really. young man, think you
have acted very meanly; you have per-
suaded girl to wait for you when you
have no prospect of marrying her; and
you encourage her to disobey her par
ents. who, very properly, wish her to
accept the richest sutton. This is very
sad."
You wicked old hypocrite! wish
you were my own age, you would soon
have my fist in your face! However
as you have no honor, can't appeal
to il; only, if you dare worry my poor
girl, I'll make you repent itr'
And in fearful wrath, Bob picked up
his easel, and strobe away.
stop, stop, young man! One mo-
ment; l cannot let you go like that"
cried Mr.. Falkland; and Bob did stop,
and as he glared at the old gentleman
with savage eyes, the latter suddenly
burst into loud peal of hearty laugh
ter
ITS very amusing, no doubt"
sneered Bob. longing to hit him on the
head with his own tishing-cane.
1T is amusing, sir. 1t is the best
joke L have heard Tor many long day.
So Mrs. Walton had matchmaking on
her mind when she invited me down
here for quiet fish. She really thought
| was likely 10 marry that pretty little
blue-cyed girl. did she? A girl several
years younger than my own daughter.
Ha. ha, ha! Excuse me, young man.
Ha, ha!'
Really, sir; if / have been mistak-
en-" began Bob, feeling foolish, yet
delighted.
''My dear young fellow. you never
were more mistaken, do assure you.
Now you mention this. / can see it
may possibly be the old lady's idea,
but believe me, nothing is farther from
my thoughts than marrying any one,
still less that sweet child. But, come,
accept my apologies for not undeceiv-
ing YOU at once, instead of cruelty en-
joying the joke ut your expense. VIII
you walk back with me, To prove your
Bob readily assentcd, only too glad
Of any excuse TO 20 near Mabels
home.
Then the old gentleman drew from
him an account of his unsuccessful at
.empts to get livelihood, and, in re-
urn for his confidence, made pro-
)osal which gladdencd his heart, and
caused his hopes of marrying Mabel
% rise again.
II have Il great business as mer-
,hant; my ships are on every sea, and
have no son TO help me. My only |
husband is an independent |
gentlemen, with an ample fortune of
his own. There is absolutely no one |
% take to my business when am gone.
II you find all the fine arts positively |
closed to you in getting living, what |
say you to making II trial of merchan-
lise? Will you come into my Office
or month, and if you like it, and
show the aptitude necessary, | would
10 great deal for the daughter of my
I'D friend, who is as sweet an English
'osc herself as ever gladdencd the eyes
If II lonely old man."
Six months after, Bob was plunGing
lcart and soul into the mysteries OF
he craft he had once despised, and
Mrs. Walton smiled as sweetly as ever
IN the protegc of the great merchant
Bob soon became the happy husband
4 pretty Mabel, and was wont to think
With shudder OF his past hopeless
lays and nights of unsuccessful toll at
Irts for which he had no capacity,
While now he is continually adding
arge amounts to the balance at his
)anker's.
Mr.. Falkland often visits them, and
always enjoys hearty laugh at the
recollection of Bob's attack on him at
he mill-stream.
"You may enjoy your joke rs much
IS you please, my dear SIR" says Bob.
Il only know that for me it proved q
ucky mistake"
M. Pasteur sucks up the liquid con-