The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1885-06-06
1t Could Not be Worse.

hhLlNGrON, MD, May, 1000.
1t Could Not be Worse.
'Your last day? Dear, dear Must
you go to-day, Harvey7' said Mrs.
Sseley, looking acrosy the breakfast
table &c her son with afectionate con-
cern.
And her daughters, Kitty and Mar
gerry echoed her words.
Couldn't you have got off for an
other week? p said his father, breaking
his hot roll carefully; now that you're
a partner, though
'Now that I'm a partner, it's hard
work getting off, responded Harvey
Seeley; 'it was all l could do; in
fact
He paused suddenly.
'What was all you could do?' in
quired Kitty.
WELL said Harvey, laying down
his knife and fork, with beaming
smile, there goes Here's the news
I've been saving up for you till the
last, from natural modesty. 1t was
all 1 could do to get things arranged so
that could go on my wedding trip
month hence. I'm going to be mar
ried
Kitty's spoon fell into her saucer
with clatter, and Mr.. Seeley dropped
his roll hastily.
Married 7 said Margery breathless-
ly.
Mrs. Seeley alone remained calm.
She rolled up her napkin and put it
in its ring, and looked at her son
through her goldrimmed 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 long row of
ancestors-the Seeleys, being themselves
a good old family were great respecters
of blue blood-a host of accomplish
ments, and heavy dowry.
Their hopes had seemed likely to be
fulfilled. Harvey had proved himself
possessed Of remarkable business quail
tiles; he had risen quickly, and had
recently exceeded their widest ambi
tions by being made a 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.. Seeley fumbled
with his watch chain in nervous sus-
pense, and that Mrs. Seeley opened her
| lips twice before she found strength to
PROFOUND that all important question :
who is she?'
'She is Miss Dora Berdan, at pres
ent, said Harvey smilingly.
'Berdan?' Mrs. Seeley repeated, and
raised her brows enquiringly. Il don't
think I have heard of the family
mot at all likely Harvey rejoined
They are quiet people.
'Berdan I Mrs. Seeley repeated mus
ingly. No; have not heard of them
| IHLo~a do tboxy live ,,
In Weyman street, responded Har
vey.
Mrs. Seeley fell back in her chai
with little gasp; her husband turned
dismayed face upon his son, ane
Kitty and Margery gave little screams
l. 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
women, for all the Seeleys knew.
Not Weyman street, Harvey2' sait
his father appealingly.
! 'Certainly-Weyman street, Harve,,
repeated.
But she is not-she cannot be O
good family, living in Weyman street ?
said Mrs. Seeley anxiously.
'The family is quite respectable,
her son responded quietly. Dora
mother is widow. She sews for
lace-goods house, and Dora has beel
assistant bookkeeper in our establish
ment that is how met her.
Mrs. Seeley groaned.
"A bookkeeper-a seamstress ! sh
calculated. 'Oh, Harvey, you coul
not have done worse
"A penniless girl?' said his fathe
solemnly; 'and after all we have hope
for youl No; it could not be worse
"A common working-girl, said Kit
in a choking voice; 'and everybod
will know it Oh, Harvey, it couldn'
be worse
The young man looked from one +
another in an astonished, hurt, an
half-contemptuous silence.
Margery turned to him, with
gentle sympathy mingling with tn
dismay in her face.
Perhaps, she said hopefully; 'pel
haps 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 h
said; 'but 1 suppose that's because II
fond of her. l don't think she woul
be called beauty. And as for geniu
she's very clever at accounts; bl
she doesn't sing, or paint, or anythin
of that sort. She's never had the tim
or money for such things, poor girl !
But Margery had turned away wit
an impatient gesture.
, There is nothing, them she sait
despairingly; mo; it couldn't
worse
: Harvey rose from his seat, with
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