The Dillon tribune. [volume] (Dillon, Mont.) 1881-1941, 1885-08-22
1T COULD NOT BE WORSE.

IT COULD NOT BE WORSE,
"Your last day? Dear, dear! Must
You 60 to-day, Harvey?" said Mrs.
Seely, looking across the breakfast
table at her son with affectionate con-
Germ.
And her daughters, Kitty and Mar
gerry echoed her words.
Couldn't you have got off for an
other week?" said his father, breaking
his hot roll carefully; '.now that your
partner, though"
Nov that I'm q partner, it's hard
work getting off," responded Harvey
Seely; lit was all could do; in
fact"
He paused suddenly.
What was all you could do?" en-
quired Kitty.
WELL" said Harvey. laying down
his knife and fork. with = scanning
smile: ''here goes! Here's the news
I've been saving up for you till the
last. from natural modesty. It was
all could do to get things arranged so
that could 60 on my wedding trip, .
month hence. l am going to be mar
ried.''
Kitty's spoon fell into her saucer with
a clatter, and Mr.. Seely dropped his
roll hastily.
MARRIED. said Margery breathless-
~.
Mrs. Seely alone remained calm.
She rolled up her napkin and put it
in Its ring, and looked at her son
through her gold-rimmed glasses COM
posedly.
She felt, however, that this was an
important crisis.
When Harvey-their only son-had,
with commendable independence, left
his pleasant home to ''get a start in
the neighboring city, they had all ex-
pected great things for him.
He would be rapidly successful; he
would distinguish himself in the pro.
fession he had chosen and amass q for
tune; and he would WOO and win some
sweet young girl. with long row of
ancestors-the Seelys, being themselves
good old family. were great respect
crs of blue blood-a host of accom-
plishments, and heavy dowry.
Their homes had seemed likely to be
fulfilled. Harvey HAD proved himself
possessed OF remarkable business quail
ties; he had risen quickly, and had re-
Gently exceeded their widest ambi-
tons by being made junior partner
of his firm.
All that now remained to be desired
was his safe conquest of the beautiful
and aristocratic young person of their
dreams, with her many talents and her
substantial inheritance.
1t was not to be wondered ut. there-
fore. that the girls were trembling with
eagerness; that Mr.. Seely fumbled
with his watch-chain in nervous sus-
ponse. and that Mrs. Seely opened her
lips twice before she found strength
to PROFOUND that all important ques-
ton:
''Who is shep''
''She is Miss Dora Berdan. at pres
ent," said Harvey smilingly.
''Berdan?' Mrs. Seely repeated, and
raised her brows enquiringly. II don't
think l have heard of the family.''
Mot at all likely" Harvey reioined.
''Ihey are quiet people,
'.Berdan" Mrs. Seely repeated mus
ingly. mo; have not heard of them.
Who're do they live?'
"ln Wcyman street," responded Har-
vey.
Mrs. Seely foil back in her chair with
q little gasp; her husband turned dis
mayed face upon his son, and Kitty
and Margery gave little screams.
Weyman street! 1t was miles from
the regions of aristocracy; it was PEG.
pied with working-girls. with seams
tresses, and with small shopkeepers:
with street-venders, and old APPLE
women. for all the Seelys knew.
mot Weyman street, Harvey?" said
his father appealingly.
Observation-Disclosures street, Har.
vey repeated.
''But she is not-she cannot be of
good family. living in Wcyman street,"
said Mrs. Secly anxiously.
1.-THE family is quite respectable"
her son responded quietly. '.Dora's
mother is n widow. She sews for a
lace-goods house, and Dora has been
bookkeepcr in our establish
ment; that is how met her.
Mrs. Seely groaned.
"A bookkecper-a scamstrcss!' she