The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-06-27

ing air, "you are making donkey of YOUR
self. After making all possible allowances
for your youth and inexperience, can not
close my eyes to the fact that that you are
something of an idiot"
Il won't be talked to in this way" said
Walter, sava gely.
so yes, you will. 1t is for your own
! good, my dear boy. Everything is going
along very nicely, and if you will only
| keep quiet"
But will not. l have been shamefully
deceived, and unless Isabel explains everv-
thing to my satisfaction I'll do something"
"What will you do?"
| 81 don't know" (gloomily).
"Don't do anything rash''
| eyes, will. I'll expose you"
| "To whom"
"To everybody. Toto Uncle Browne
e Mr.. Bartlum was panic stricken at this
| announcement.
! "Wretched youth you wouldn't dare"
"Wouldn't 2" said Walter with a dark
frown. you'll see. 1 am not to be
trampled on with impunity. If l am a
worm, can turn"
With this dark and significant threat he
| burst away, in spite of the others efforts
to restrain him, and was seen in the sup
| perroom shortly afterward eating oysters
with a determined air.
| The next day, about four in the after
noon, as James and Isabel were leaving
the house for a drive, John Thomas accost-
ed them with a message from MIR. Brown,
who would be pleased to see them in the
library.
cousin james," cried Isabel, in great
trepidation, 'all is discovered"
| $50 it would appear" said Cousin James
TRANQUILITY; land there is nothing else to
do than to face the music like little men.
Come along, cousin"
Mr.. Brown was seated in his chair of
Estate, and at a little distance sat Master
Walter, looking very pale and rather
| sheepish.
| When the couple entered, Mr. Brown laid
| his hand upon a dictionary, as if he had
half determined to knock somebody down,
| but changed his mind and said, with an
assumption of irony that became him very
i'll: What a charming pair! Ha! ha!
| Yes; quite beautiful.'
Anything wrong, SIR" inquired James,
| with exasperating mildness. "You know
you are not careful in your diet"
"Diet" roared Mr.. Brown, coming out
strong as the old original Brown-''diet,
sir! Confound your impudence, sir Do
You mean to try to humbug me? Do you
mean to attempt to deceive me? Don't
trifie with me- know ALL"
"Tell us, then"
| "You-you are villain, SIR"
| 81 deny it," --~
/
warmed serpent in my BOSOM"
| Meaning me, sirY"
eyes, you. o, | shall not spare you!
You have basely gained the affections of
my daughter-wretched grip
| SO, papaW
see."
81 suppose" scornfully, "that Mr.. Hay
man assisted your eyesight?"
HE did-and quite properly, too"
| "Mr. Hayman is an interested party,
believe. He has ASPIRATIONS"
"Never you mind, sir, what he has. l am
talking about you now. You are engaged,
l SUPPOSE"
mot quite"
| "Indeed l wonder at that But the
affair has gone far enough, at any rate, and
tell you plainly, sir, that it must stop
| and now"
| 81 won't listen to word"
| But you must, you unreasonable old
| man. Let me sum mp the situation. You
have young and lovely daughter with
whom worthy young man is deeply in
| love"
"Worthy young man~ cried Walter,
| tiercely. 500 you hear that, uncle?"
| Il was referring to Mr.. Walter Hay
man." said Mr.. Bartlum, with bland look
| at the speaker, ''who is in every way ex-
emplary. You refuse this worthy young
man your daughters hand, and why? Be-
cause he is worthy? Evidently. Well,
| here am l, most unworthy young man,
and you entertain an equally strong objec-
ton to me. How inconsistent If this
worthy young man is eligible. am out of
the question; but if he is out of the ques
ton, why not take me? You surely do not
| intend to make a nun of Isabel"
Mr.. Theophilus Brown was evidently
staggered by this remarkable piece of rea-
soning, and looked alternately at the wor-
| thy and unworthy rivals, and finally at
the fair Isabel.
| 80, papa" pleaded the bone of conten-
| ton, "choose for me, please. You do not
| know how distracted | am"
| "She loves them BOTH" murmured her
! father, helplessly.
"Isabel'' exclaimed Walter. imploringly.
| "Respected SIR said James, placidly,
'the decision rests with you. You are the
| judge and jury, and the evidence is all in"
walter" cried Mr.. Brown, with great
| vehemence-''a thousand times Waterw
| The worthy young man and his betrothed
| were locked in a fervent embrace, while
| Mr.. Brown smiled beneficently upon them.
! May a Cousins blessing rest upon YOU'D
said James.
| Mr.. Brown looked at him savagelv, then
keenly, and then, as he met his calm and
unfinching gaze, said, sharply: "You
take it coolly, sir"
By way of answer the handsome vaga-
bond closed his left eve very slowly and
looked at Mr.. Brown in silence. An I'M
| mistakable wink.
In an instant the old gentleman saw
through the trick, but before he could open
his mouth the arch -schemer laid his hand
on his arm, and pointing with his thumb
to the absorbed young lovers in the corner,
said. in low tone:
Permit graceless vagabond, sir, to
treasure in his mind the thought that he
has brought two loving souls together, and
taught fine old gentleman to know his
own mind. You will never regret it, sir,
and just reflect what might have been had
your girl really throwr away her affections
Do you see the points
Mr.. Brown, after moment hesitation,
grasped the others hand fervidly, and
acknowledged that he did.-HGper'S
| Weekly.
Spies Among the Boys.