Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-10-21
over the strange news he had just
heard, and counting the hours which
still separated him from Annie.

over the strange news he had just
heard, and counting the hours which
still separated him from Annie.
Some four months later party of six
were assembled at dinner in one of the
prettiest detached villas of South Ken
sington, the residence of the widowed
Mrs. thornton. It was their first fami-
y gathering since the coming home of
Egerton and his bride from their honey
moon trip, and included, in addition to
the hostess, the young couple and Fred,
Capt: Augustus Torrens, of the Blues,
who had otficiated as best man at the
wedding, and Annie's bosom friend,
Carrie Wetherell, a lively little brunette
who had also figured on that suspicious
occasion in the character of bridesmaid.
With such congenial elements it is
needless to say that the conversation
never tagged for an instant. The CAP
tain was in high feather, and kept up a
running fire of ''chaff' with Miss Car
RE, which that damsel, nothing 10th,
returned with interest; while Mrs.
Thornton, with maternal solicitude,
was ousily engaged in discussing with
Annie the important question of "ways
and means"
II am so glad, darling," she said,
.'that you like the house have taken
for you.'
lit is perfectly delightful, mamma.
Think how nice for me to be so neal
you when Egerton is at his chambers. ~
"Chambers!' interrupted Capt. Au-
gustus, glancing at the speaker with
real or affected amazement. "What
does married man want with cham
bers?''
'Annie doesn't approve of my lead
ing an idle life,' said his brother, de-
murely. $50 1 intend to put my shout
der to the wheel, and Fred will pass
me brief now and then, when he has
any to spare.
This allusion to Mr.. Frederick Thorn
ton, who, though some years Egerton' S
senior at the bar, had hitherto signally
failed in convincing the attorneys of his
ability, was received with roar of
laughter, in which none more heartily
joined than the good-humored object of
the joke.
"Well,' he retorted, IF by any very
improbable contingency you should be
deprived of that advantage-here the
merriment redoubled-''and are unable
to earn an honest penny in a legitimate
way, you have always Annie's jewel
case to fall back upon. Your govern
or's pearl necklace will keep you both
out of the workhouse at any rate for a
year or two.'
''Oh, Fred, how can your exclaimed
the youthful matron, properly shocked
at the idea. "As if you didn't know
that, with his talent, man is sure to
make his fortune sooner or later.'
There may be such phenomena, san
guine sister mine,' gravely responded
her incorrigible brother; "but, like
Brummell and the halfpenny, I give
you my word that I never saw one.''
"By the way, Egerton,' remarked
the captain, talking of making for
tunes, 1 met an old acquaintance OF
yours in the Park to-day-Lady Ber-
ringfeld, looking as pale as a ghost -
WAS she not the beautiful Miss
Trevelyan?'' inquired Carrie.
''The same, but so awfully gone off
that l scarcely knew her. She has
hardly been married two months, and
looks as If she had all the cares of the
world on her shoulders. No wonder,
with a husband like Cresus Berring-
field, as they call him. Greatest brute
alive.'
"L'argent ne fait pas toujours lie bon
heur!' sentimentally chimed in Miss
Wetherel.
"At all events" said Egerton, rather
sadly, "shehas acted accordingly to
her lights, and chosen the substance.
Whereas" he continued, glancing
fond]y at Annie, "a young lady who
shall be nameless has charitably con-
tented herself with the shadow
"And very substantial shadow,
too," added the irrepressible Fred.
''Six feet two in his stocking, and
grown so fearfully stout that, when we
meet next week at Somerton, he will
be lucky if he finds horse able to
carry him!'