Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-07-25
4 DREADFUL Lesson"


Couldn't you have got off Tor another
week." said the father, breaking the hot
roll carefully; now that you're a partner
though
"Now that I'm 4 partner, its hard work
getting OIL" responded Harvey Seely; ii
was all that I could do; in fact
He paused suddenly.
What was all YOU could do? inquired
Kitty.
We'll" said Harvey laying down his
knife and fork, with beaming smile,
here goes Here's the news I've been
sayin, up for you till the last, from nat
ural mOdesty Il was all could do to get
things arranged SO that l could go on my
wedding trip, month hence. am going
10 be married
Kitty's spoon fell into her saucer with a
cLatter, and Mr.. Seely dropped his rsll
hastily.
Married." said Margery, breathlessly,
Mrs. Seely alone remained calm.
She rolled up her napkin and put il in
It's ring. and looked at her son through her
-oid-rimmcd glasses com posedly.
She felt, however, that this was an I'M
purtant crisis.
When Haryey-their only son-had, with
communicable independence, left his pleas
ant home to get a start in the neighbor-
ing city, they had all expected great things
Tor him.
He would be rapidly successful; he
would distinguish himself in the profession
he had chosen and aIGasS a fortune; and he
would 800 and win some sweet young girl
with q long row OF anceStors-the Seelys
being themselves a good old family, were
sreat respecters of blue bl0od-a host of ac-
corupliahments and heavy dowry.
Their hopes had seemed likely 10 be full
filed. Harvey had proved himself pos
se=sed OF remarkable business qualities; he
mad risen quickly and had recently exceed
I'd their widest ambitious by being made
a Junior partner of his firm.
All that now remained 10 be desired was
MS safe conquest OF the beautiful and arts
tocratic young person OF their dreams, with
her many talents and her substantial in
ueritance.
II was not to be wondered at, therefore,
that the girls were trembling with eager
ness; that Mr.. Seely fumbled with his
watch chain in nervous suspense, and that
Mrs. Seely opened her lips twice before she
found strength to PROFOUND the all-im-
portant question:
Who IS she?
" She is Miss Dora Berdan, at present, ~
said Harvey. smilingly.
BertIan?" Mrs. Seely repeated, and
raised her brows inquiringly. Il don't
think ! have heard of the family
" MOI at all likely" Harvey rejoined.
They are quiet people
" Berdan p Mrs. Seely repeated mus
ingly. Ne, have not heard Of them.
Where 30 they live
" Ia Weyman street, responded Harvey.
Mrs Secly fell back in her chair with 4
little gasp; her husband turned dismaved
face upon his SON and Kitty and Margery
gave little screams.
Wevnian street. 1t was miles from the
regions of aristocracy il was peopled with
q. 0rking girls and seanstresses, and small
shop-kecpers with street-venders and old
apple women, for all the Seelys knew.
= Not Weyman street, Harvey, said his
father appeahnely.
: CertainIy-Weymaa street, Harvey
repeated.
But she is not-she cannot be of good
family. living III Weyn1a street said
Mrs. Secly, anxiOusly.
IS The family is quite respectable her
son responded, quietly. Dora mother
5 q widow. She sews for lace-goods
uouse-Our establishments that IS how /
met her"
Mrs. SeeIy grosned.
a booEkeeper-a sesmstress she cjac-
uiated. oh, Harvey, sou could not have
done worse
A penniless girl?" said his father, sol
EMMY; " and after ali We have hoped for
YOU. No: it could not be worse
A common working girl said Kitty.
IN 4 choking voice; and everybody will
know it. Oh, Harvey it could not be
worse
The young man looked from one to an
other n astonished, hurt and halt-con-
temptuous silence.
Margery turned to him, with gentle
sympathy ulingling with the dismay IN her
ace
Perhaps" she said. hopefully; perhaps
there is something 10 make up? Perhaps
she is q wonderful beauty, or great gen
Jus. or something
Harvey gave her grateful smile
II think her pretty, Of course, he said
but I suppose that's because III fond OF
her. | don't think she would be called q
beauty And as for her @cnius-she very
clever ~ accounts. but she doesB I sing or
naint. or anything of that sort. She S
never Lad the time or money for such
;hiugs. poor girl =
-1tlL -'Att4 - = va 49, w. '-'-
tient gesture.
There IS nothing then' she sald oe-
,pairingly; mo; it couldn't be worse.
Harvey rose from his seat with an en-
lr-y which Sc! the bell in the caster jung
This is absurd he said Indignantly.
" 1t is more than absurd it is unjust and
narrow-Imindet. How seIlSloie-PIeS' 'ui,
ably sensible people, Harvey corrected
rather bitterly, can say, in regard to q
person they have never seen. that itcould
not be worse, is past Iuy comprehension.
Wcwiu not talk oft, said Mrs. Seely,
holding upa restraining hand. Discussion
sill no; mend matters. And You are To
be married next month ~
On the 9th, Harvey rejoined. " o.
-a,her obviously.