Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-04-15

peated.
"But she is not-she cannot be of good
family, livingin Weymau street ?" said Mrs.
Srely anxiously.
eThe family is quite respectable" her
son responded quietly. "Dora's mother is
a widow. She sews for a lace. goods house,
aud Dora has been assistant book keeper in
our establishment; that is how met her. !"
Mrs. Seely gr"aned.
ga book-seeper-as seamstress I" she ejac-
ulated. "Oh, Harvey, you could not have
done worsel''
"a penniless girl ?'' said his father SOL
emnly; 'tand after all We have hoped for you!
No; it could not be worse.'
ga common working girl" sad Kitty IN
a choking voice; 'tand everybody will know
it! Oh, Harvey, it couldn't be worse.
The young man looked from one to an
other in astonished, hurt, and half contem-
ptuous silence.
Margery turned to him, with gentle
sympathy mingling with the dismay in her
face.
Perhaps" she .aid, hopefully; perhaps
there is something to make up? Perhaps
she is wonderful beauty, or great genius,
or something?"
Harvey gave her grateful smile.
Il think her pretty. of COURSE" he said;
'.but suppose that's because Pm fond of
her. l don't think she would be called a
beauty. And as fol genius-she's very
clever at accounts; but she doesn't sing, or
paint. or anything of that sort. She's new
er had the time or money for such things,
poor girl p
But Margery had turned away with an
impatient gesture.
''There is nothing, then," she said, de-
spairingly; "no; it couldn't be worse"
Harvey rose from his seat. with an en-
ergy which set the bell in the castor jing-
ling.
''This is absurdv' he said indignantly
SIT is more than absurd; it is unjust and
narrow minded. How sensible-p' esuma-
bly, sensible people," Harvey Corrected
rather bitt. rly, "canssay, in gard to a per-
son they have never seen. that ft conld not
be worse, is past my comprehension"
1--WE will not talk of it, said Mrs. Seely,
holding up restraining hand. discus
sion will not mend matters. And you are
to be married next mouth p
Goa the nuth," Harvey rjoined. "Of
c, u:se you will all be there?' he added
rather obviously.
''By no means, said his father shortly.
You could hardly expect it," said Ms
Seely reproachfnlly.
Every well; if Mohammed won't come
- you've heard the observation. We shall
pay you a visit immediately on our return
fr,m our wedding tour. with yatlr knd per-
mission. You must know Dora
When he left the house an hour later, he
had the required permission.
HIS mother and the girls had even kissed
him goodbye, in an injured and reproach-
full way, and his father had shaken hands
coolly.
But his ears still rang with that odious
assertion. sIl could rot be worser' and he
was thoughtful all the way back to the city.
The Seciys were in a State OF subdued ex-
citement.
Harvey's wedding tour was completed;
and they had received telegram that af
ternoon to the effect that he would be ''on
hand" tonight with his new wife.
The dining room table was set for dinner;
and Mrs. Seely wandered from one end Of
it to the other nervOusly.
Her husband sat under the chandelier
with his evening paper, but he was not read
ing it; Kitty and Marge-y huttered about
uneasily, wa ching through the window for
the return Of the carriage from the station.
II hope" said Margery with "a nervous
attempt at checrfulness, ''tbat she will be
barely ydecent-presentable. Think of The
people who will call! hope she won't be
worse than we're prepared to see her.
s.She couldn't be- said NJ s. Seely dis
mally.
There was roll of wheels, ard the twin
kle of the carriage lamp at the door, and
the bell rang sharply.
Kitty aud Margery clasped hands in SYM
pathetic agitation; M. Seely dropped his
paper aud rose; and Mrs. Seely advanced
tow ard the hall door with dignity.
1t opened wide befoie she could reach it,
Ii fn. I,
genial bli-sful smiles
This is my wife, he said proudly; my
mother, Dora; my father, my sisters, KITTY
aud Margery.
Aud with caressing touch, he toook by
the hand, and led furw al d among them
What!
Mr.. Seely gazed at the apparition with
s,a,tlig eyes; Mrs. Seely dropped the hand
she had started to hold out, with her face
growing ashy; and Kitty and M.rgery
gasped.
For what they saw was woman OF ap-
parently forty Years, with face powdered
and painted in the most unblushlng man
ner, with thin grey hair crimped over a
!
wr,nkled forehead in sickening aifecta-
tiou of youth illness, aud with dminu-
tive gaily trimmed bonnet percbed thereon.
with an affected, mincing gait, and SIM
pering smile.
This is my wife," Harvey repeated;
"have you no welcome for her?"
The bride title. ed.
"Mebbe she thinks amt good enough
for 'em, deal?" she observed tartly.
"Impossible, my pet Harvey respond
ed, and patti. her falsely blooming cheek
affecti natel,; "besides. if yon We re but a
shadow-a carcature of your own beautiful
ST If, they would not ave been surprised.
They were prepared for the worst"
He looked at his horrified relatives mean
ingly.
The truth of his words flashed over
them.
| Yes, they bad all said repeatedly, that
! ssit could not he worse" But this wretch