The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-01-29
The question evidently took him by

''Well-that is-not precisely engaged,
lear fellow-but-you understand"
1t was my time to laugh now. 81 see
your little affair is not exactly arranged"
said, 'sthough l thought it was, from your
after that promenade. But set
mind at rest. | W. at present no
intention of asking Miss Hermoncieux to
marry me. She is much too rich, and I am
too p~oor-unequal unions are always
unfortunate"
W~arrington's expression indicated i'm
mense relief. "My dear fellow, 1 homer
motives J" he exclaimed. 81 wish 1
initiate you. But, you see, l am
hard up, and I 4 am obliged to disre-
gard these nice sentiments, not that Miss
H~ermoncieux's money is what I am think
is only-well, an additional attraction"
81 have no doubt it Isl" said, laughing
ruefully.
ST see you are not SO cut up. Why not
promise to be my best mani"
"We1l talk of that = there will be
time, 1 suppose. 1 think you said you
were not engaged. Why didn't you pro-
pose on that walk! Then all would now be
arranged"
Warrington laughed rather uneasily. 81
thought 1 would, but felt a little afraid.
But 1 assure you, my dear boy, L ap-
preached the subject, and | think l can say
is-the affair will soon be con-
cluded."
Having made this significant statement,
Warrington wrung my hand with the
greatest cordiality, and getting into his
drag, disappeared toward the villa.
l sat rejecting for more than an hour on
this singular interview. Then l mounted
and rode to superintend the Training OF a
piece of meadow. 1 had determined not to
go near Mr.. Fenton's, since | had given
Warrington a sort of promise, l would keep
my promise thoroughly.
A week afterward l received a line from
Miss Arthur which induced me to / d to
the villa.
I'VE are going home," said the note,
sand YOU seem resolved not to come and
say good-by."
An hour afterward 1 was seated in the
drawing-room at Mr.. Fenton's conversing
with Miss Arthur.
81 had a better opinion of you" she said,
ethan to think you would forget your
friends"
81 lave been engaged draining my land, y
Ireplied, rather drearily, land, besides, ]
made a promise"
ga promise?"
''To Sir Warrington, as you call him
the successful chevalier. 1 oppose his
prospects are as encouraging as ever, and
he is here occasionally?"
occasionally? He is here morning,
noon and night. But what promise did
you make him."
~ am not certain 1 ought to tell you; but
1 will do so if you will regard it as conf
Dental. He told me of his affair, as he
calls it. and 1 engaged not to interfere with
him. 1 hope you understand"
eyes, 1 understand. But you really
are too absurd. L will speak plainly
hate ceremony; l am your friend, n !
choose to meddle, Why don't you ask
Elise to marry you? She might"
What did Miss Arthur meant? 1 looked
at her, but she was laughing. 81 have al
ready told you why 1 do not" L said.
"Sinee you speak plainly, 1 reply as dis
tinctly."
Because she is wealthy"
"Yes.o
And you are not:"
swell, as that is the only obstacle
Elise's money! have the pleasure Of in.
forming You that it no longer exists. That
is a fine sentence, but expresses the 1dea.'
N longer eXists?"
81 see you have not heard the news,
Here is something which will save me the
trouble of explaining"
She opened a portfolio lying upo2n an Ole
secretary in one corner of the drawing
room, and tool out a letter, which she I'M
folded and presented to me.
1t bore the New Orleans postmark, with
the name and address of a legal firm in the
upper corner, and its contents We're melan-
choly. BY the ~defalcation of Miss Her.
moncieux's former guardian and late
trustee, Mr.. her entire property hao
been swept away, together with large
assets of the bank of which Mr.. - nae
been cashier. He had left the city, n aT
examination of his papers had revealed
Miss Hermoncieux's misfortune. The lega
firm wrote to ascertain whether she desired
to have proceedings taken to punish the
defaultar.
1 dropped the letter with no regret at all
but a great feeling of joy.
81 see you are deeply affected by. pool
Eliss's loss" said Miss Arthur, laughing.
81 sympathize with her sincerely"
"And are not in the least sorry. 1t is
heartless in me to laugh, but, the obstacle
to a certain proceeding on the part OF
certain Don Quixota, or Sir Tristan, if yot
prefer, is now removed"
sBut where is the happy knight, ST
Warrington" I said.
"He has not been here sine we told hin
the news. And yet l am sure he is ever
sorrier than o are"
II was in a maze. $50 Miss Thermometers
| is penniless :" l said. Il sincerely feel TO
her."
81 don't think she minds it. She is,i
brave girl, and as cheerful as before"
"What are her plans, may l ask"
''They are undecided-the news was s
sudden. Elise is very fond of children, an
l think she would really enjoy the life of
teacher"
s'That is a very honorable occupation
But" l stopped, and b aided as com
posedly as l could, 81 suppose she wi
marry now, and Mr.. Warrington"
Miss Arthur laughed in her s~atirica
manner. Poor thing! / am afraid sh
will not have an opportunity" she said.
+ A opportunity"
"Mr. Warrington is said to be unwell-
i~ndisposed, if you prefer the term. He ha
just sent u line expressing his regret a
| being unable to call before our departure.
Hooked at Miss Arthur. Her expressio
| of satire was overpowering.
81 fear the intelligence of poor Elise
misfortune has affected his sensitive feel
ings, and occasioned his-indisposition,
she added.
"a heartless speech" 1 said, Laughing
and feeling quite overjoyed. "When d
you go:"
.In three days"
"Without an escort?"
81 am afraid so. Mr.. Warrington was t
have accompanied us, but his indispositio
will hardly permit it,"
''If you will allow me, 1 will take h
place."
"With the greatest pleasure can spea
for myself. l think, however, it would
only polite to ask Elise. l hear her con
ing downstairs. L don't think she know
you are here: Will you excuse me for
moment! | have left my spool"
And Miss Arthur vanished. AS she dis
appeared from the dr~awing-room ST
glanced over her shoulder, and an expires
sion of great pleasure and amusement owe
spread her face.
A moment e.fterward Miss thermometer
entered, and / could see from her .quit
blush that my presence Yves a surprise
her. She advanced a few steps, hesitate
and l terminated her hesitation. Takir
her little hands in my own, | covered the
with kisses, and said:
81 have heard what has happened, al
will not pretend 1 am sorry. | can tell yt
how dearly 1 love you now. 1 came ne'
telling you in that storm, when l held W
in my arms"
VI.
Ihave accompanied Miss thermometer
and Miss Arthur to Alabama, and my ma
riage with the aforementioned young lac
will take place this evening.
My friend Warrington was at the static
"a gallant man to the last-to bid Il
young ladies goodbye, and l had not Il
heart to inform him of the contents of
note written me by Miss Arthur after II
mornings conversation with her and tt
fortunate interview which followed wi
| Miss HaImOncieuX.