The Penn's Grove record., 1885-08-08

" VOL hllAh @ AC" 10Y ~ w
prDmise-"
well, out with it, manT'
THAT you would assist me"
"Aha-the young wOmaul / re-
member nowl" exclaimed MI. Blair
laughing heartily. 80 you have seen
her? What does she think Of my
planp"
'She has consented, sir" faltered
the book-keeper, keeping his face care
fully hidden behind the lid of a desk in
which, to all appearance, he was search
ing busily. 'On the day after tO-mor-
row evening. If convenient to you"
Inc sooner; the betterl My boy, l am
quite ready to keep my word" As he
spoke, the merchant turned to his desk
and filed up a cheque, which he hand
ed to his companion "There is the
wedding-present of which | spoke. OF
course you must get a special license.
My carriage will also be at your service
at whatever time and place you choose
to appoint. By-the-way, what does
the young lady think of the China pro-
iectP | hope your marriage will not
affect your decision with regard to it."
''She is anxious that | should do
whatever is most pleasing to you, sir. "
"Ah, l see she is a sensible womanl
| should like to call in the course of
the evening, after the ceremony is over
and offer ny congratulations, if you
and Mrs. Wynn intend to remain in
london"
"Thank you, sir. | was going to ask
something of the kind. We expect to
be at the Grosvenor Hotel"
"Should you like a weeks ~holiday?"
"Not at present, thank you," an
swered Wynn, feeling guilty that he
was extremely likely to be given a
much more prolonged holiday than he
desired.
VERY FoI, my boy. 1 wish you all
manner or luck. Return in the course
of the morning, ard | will give you the
letter 7 promised to my friend the
Clergyman"
About nine C'c:9rS p. m. on the day
of the marriage Mr.. Blair, adorned
with the unusual splendor of the light
kid gloves and a white neck-tle, and
carrying an enormous bouquet of roses
and orange blossoms, entered the Gros-
venor Hotel and inquired for Mr.. and
Mrs. Wynn. He was told that the
gentleman had been at the hoIel in the
morning and engaged rooms for him
self and wife, but had not as yet ap
peared with the lady.
Then | will wait in their rooms In
til they arrive: 1T can't be long now,"
replied the merchant; and he was shown
into the pleasant little sitting room re-
served for the pair whom the astute
clerk had already settled In his W.
mind to be bride and groom.
Mr.. Blair had not long to wait,
though in his present state of good
humor he could very easily have borne
a longer delay than the half hour he
passed IN well satisfied musing over the
good luck which lately seemed to have
attended his every moment. He had
received a letter from the young man
whom he hoped to call his so~n-in-law,
appointing a day for his visit to Rich
mond, and the prospect of this mar
Rage was above all a source of self
coDgratulation with him.
Then too this evenings event affor-
ded him indescribable amusement, as
he pictured to himself the wrath and
CONSERVATION of the man who he had
firmly convinced himself had injured
him deeply when he discovered that his
only daughter had bestowed herself
upon an "impecunlouS boOk-keeper. All
alone to himself Mr.. Blair chuckled
with malicious enjoyment over this
most delightful of jokes, and rejoiced
in his own share IN bringing his enemy
to confusion.
81 wonder how soon papa is to be
told of the happy event" he solloquized.
"Who knows? Perhaps it will be a
family party to-nightr'
Later the merchant had taken out
his pocket book and was deep in al
abstruce calculation a to certain weigh.
ty transactions which i1ight be under
taken when a little of the wealth of his
prospective s~on-in-law had filtered into
the firm, when there was a sound of
footsteps in the hall, pausing al the
door, and Mr.. Blair knew that the bri-
DIAL party had arrived.
Thrusting the book into his pocket
and selzing the bouquet, he rose and
stood in readiness, when the door was
thrown open by the waiter, and, sure
enough, Wynn entered. having on his
arm a lady closely yelled.
The merchant advanced, bowling low
with outstretched hand, which was
rather hesitatingly taken by the
book-keeper, who muttered only a few
ha~lf-incoherent words of thanks in re-
ply to the congratulations offered him
Mr.. Blair scarcely noticed the young
mans evident confusion, so occupied
was he in valnly trying to discover his
companions identity through the thick
.rn.l x.hfah ohn hn1 NOT oa uaf raigan
There seemed to him something oddly
familiar in her figure, though, much to
his chargin, he saw instantly that she
was certainly some inches shorter than
Miss Brooks.
sAnd your wife? Am l not to have
the pleasure of making her acquain-
tanceY' he said, feeling somehow vague
ly uneasy.
Then the veil was slowly raised, to
reveal the face of the merchants W
daughter, pale, frightened, beseechlng;
but still for a moment the man failed
to understand.
''Doral" he said, In bewilderment.
''What are you doing here?"
Dead silence followed; then the fair
est of the merchants castles in Spain
fell with a crash.
.'Can it be possible that you are this
mans wife?"
"Yes, dear father, it is quite true
said the girls pleading voice. wont
you try to forgive us? 1t can't make
very much difference to you. You
can't miss me, you know, for you never
needed me, and l needed so sorely some
one to love mel'
The book.keeper was holding his
wife's hand firmly all the time; and On
ly drew her closer to him as he added
"We are far from deserving it, |
know; but l hope you don't forget that
you promised MS your blessing, Mr..
BlalF.n
The merchant was about to speak,
but suddenly checked himself, and,
turning abruptly, walked to the win.
dow, where, in total silence, he stood
motionless for a few moments, battling
with the bitterest disappointment of his
life.
To his own surprise, even in the