Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-05-28
IT COULD NOT BE WORSE.

you 90 to-day, Haryey?" 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 you re
partner, though
''NOw that I'm a partner, it's hard
work getting off, responded Harvey
Seely; cit was all | could do; in
fact"
He paused suddenly.
''What was all you could do?" en-
CURED Kitty.
well, said Harvey, laying down
his knife and fork, with a beaming
smile, there goes! Here's the news
I've been saving up for you till the
last, from natural modesty. 1t was
all | could do to get things arranged so
that could go on my wedding trip, a
month hence. / am going to be mar
ried"
Kitty's spoon fell into her saucer with
a CHATTER, and Mr.. Seely dropped his
roll hastily.
'Marriedp 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 start in
the neighboring city, they had all ex~
pected great things for him.
He would be rapidly successful; be
would distinguish himself in the pro-
fessiOn he had chosen and amass for
tune; and he would WOO and win some
sweet young girl, with a long row of
ancestors-the Seelys, being themselves
good old family, were great respect
ers of blue blood-a host of accom-
plishments, and heavy dowry.
Their hopes had seemed likely to be
fulfilled. Harvey HAD proved himself
possessed Of remarkable business quail
ties; be had risen quickly, and had re-
Gently exceeded their widest ambi-
tions by being made Junior partner
of his firm.
All that row 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 at, there
fore, that the girls were trembling with
eagerness; that Mr.. Seely fumbled
with his watch-chain in nervous sus-
pense, and that Mrs. Seely opened her
lips twice before she found strength
to PROFOUND that all important ques-
ton:
''Who is she?"
''She is a Miss Dora Berdan, at pres
ent, said Harvey smilingly.
"Berdan?' Mrs. Seeiy repeated, and
raised her brows enquiringly Il don't
think I have heard of the family"
mot at all likely" Harvey rejoined.
''They are quiet people"
''Berdan!" Mrs. Seely repeated mus
ingly- No; | have not heard of them.
Where do they iye?"
I'm Weyman street." responded Har-
vey.
Mrs Seely fell back in her chair with
mayed face upon his son, and Kitty
and Margery gave little screams.
Weyman street, 1t was miles from
the regions of aristOcracy; it was peo-
pied with worl1ing-girls, with seams
tresses, and with small shopkeepers;
with street-venders, and old apple
women, for all the Seelys knew.
''Not Weyman street, HarTey?" said
his father appealingly.
Certainly-Weyman street" Har-
vey repeated.
But she is .not-she cannot be of
good family, living in Weyman street,"
said Mrs. Seely anxiously.
1.-The family is quite respectable, "
her son responded quietly. ''Dora's
mother is a widow. She sews for
Iace-goods house, and Dora has been
assistant bookkeeper in our establish
ment; that is how / met her.
Mrs. Seely groaned,
"a bookkeeper-a seamstress" she
calculated. ''0h, Harvey, you could
not have done worsen
"a penniless grip" said his father
solemnly; ''and after all we have
hoped for you! No; it could not be
worse
"a common working-girl. said Kit
ty in choking voice; land everybody
will know it! Oh, Harvey, it couldn't
be worse.
The young man looked from one to
another in astonished, hurt, and half
contemptuous silence.
Margery turned to him, with gen
tie sympathy mingling with the dismay
in her face.
perhaps" she said, hopefully; per
haps there is something to make IN?