Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-04-01
IT COULD NOT BE WORSE.

Your last day? Dear, dear! Mus
you go to-day, Harvey?" said Mrs
Seely, looking across the breakfast
table at her son with affectionate con
cern.
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
a partner, though"
Now that I'm partner. it's hard
work getting off, responded Harvey
Seely; lit was all l 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 a beaming
smile. '.here 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, q
month hence. l am going to be mar
ried."
Kitty's spoon fell into her saucer with
a clatter, and MIR. Seely dropped his
roll hastily.
Married" said Margery breathless-
ly.
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; he
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
a 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; he had risen quickly, and had re-
Gently exceeded their widest ambi-
tions 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 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 Miss Dora Berdan, at pres
ent," said Harvey smilingly.
''Berdan?" Mrs. Seely repeated, and
raised her brows enquiringly. Il don't
think have heard of the family"
Not at all likely" Harvey rejoined.
"They are quiet people. y
.Berdan!'' Mrs. Seely repeated mus
ingly. No; have not heard of them.
Where do they live?"
I'm Weyman street." responded Har-
vey.
Mrs. Seely fell back in her chair with
a 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 peo-
pied with working-girls, with seams
tresses, and with small shopkeepers;
with street-venders, and old apple
for all the Seelys knew.
Not Weyman street, Harvey?" said
lis father appealingly.
"Certainly-Weyman street." Har- !
rev repeated