Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-04-02
sntrappIng him into a marriage under


"Little whippersnapper Of q nephew
dead mems shoes Parasitesm
"Mercy," she entreated.
$50 perish all fortune hunters"
She seized both my hands, saying: "Be
silent and listen,n SO authoritatiVe.y that
obeyed-as though she were my aunt, In
deed.
any mother is the cause OF this. She 10 a
beautiful character, but she's got what they
call an oriental Imagination. She objects
to giving plain things their right names.
I'm used to hear her call a postillion
cavalier, dish-covers cupolas temporary
jug hagon, street fight duel, but this
was carrying things too farl Mother,
ywhat frightful mischief have you done
Too latel"
"Can you possibly mean" asked, be-
wildered, that these-disclosur take her
daughter by surprise-thut you believe
yourself Of gentle birthm
''Oi course / did," she replied, simply.
"How should know betterl True, once
since my engagement she dropped hint in
her exultation that excited my suspicious.
Butt never dreamt Of any thing approaching
this, OF should have insisted on knowing
the worst. Thon, perhaps, II I'd fallen at
his feet with frank confession; but now
he'll never forgive-never, in the violence
Of just resentment believe Inc innocent OF
this fraud, for can not prove 1t. o, my
lost friendl Great goodness, that's his
knock"
She started up.
"Come to denounce mother and child.
How shall face him. How brave his re-
proaches"
She hid her face.
stood over my aunt that was to have
been, feeling almost tall and quite heroic.
Now for revenge, now for Goals OF fire.
1t was a glorious moment. l.t
"Colia," Il said, 'lt may not be too late.
Listen. Touched by the sunshine your inau-
ence has brought into my uncle's life,
ensilage instead, He suspects nothing.
The frank confession is still yours to
make"
worthy nephew of your uncle,n she
cried, intending q compliment. "I'll thank
you afterward. He mustn't find you here.
This way-quick."
barely disappeared through one door as
my uncle entered through the other, con-
cerned to find his betrothed in tears.
my dear Celia" he began, SO tenderly
that must peep through the key-hole to
certify it was uncle speaking, "this
wretched accident has affected your
nerves.
The train was upset. but It takes more
to upset me" she sobbed. II wish I'd been
cut TO pieces; do. II would have spared
me what / mind worse and you would
have regretted me. Say you would, Rich
ard"
Cecilia, dearest love,n here l nearly be-
trayed myself by starting and yelling
"what have done to provoke this strange
receptionp
"0ur marriage she said, with desperate
dignity, "can not take place"
Said my uncle, with frowns In his voice :
''rhis jesting, Celia, is ill-timed; l don't
understand
"Wait. and-you-will," she faltered.
"a terrible family secret, carefully kept
from me hitherto. Circumstances over
which had no control materially affect
ing our condition"
"Pecuniary circumstances" he suggested.
you mean your fortune was overstated.
Your mothers liberal expenditure has led
her into debtW
''It's worse than debts" she declared,
paused, then announced, solemnly; "Blots
on our escutcheon generations can not
eiface.n
GA family skeleton" he began uneasily,
trying to laugh. That's bad"
Worst than the worst you can imagine ~
"Not a crimel" he muttered, startled.
Worse than a crime,n she affirmed.
Hereupon he rose impatiently, saying:
dearest Celia, ! think you have got con-
cussion Of the brain"
mot /" she returned, mournfully, "it's
my mothers where the screw Is loose.
Don't blame her before me, Richard. She
Is romantic-she has misled you about our
origin by using high sounding language.
The awful truth never knew myself. Our
union is impossible. am no fit match for
Richard Grimston.n
THE daughter Of an eminent public func-
tionary, and Of collateral descendent OF
the Norfolk Howards is no unfit match, even
for Richard Grimston.n r.
''He was simple policeman u she sobbed,
Sin England; storekeeper in America.
Mothers family's only connection with
their illustrious namesake was that they
supplied their breakfast-table with fresh
rolls. Take back your betrothal ring, Rich
ard, the worst has yet to come. The late
Mr.. Pierpont was no artist-but a-a-per-
fumer, ETC."
There was a tremendous pause, broken
by Celia's sobs. Touched, was using my
pocket handkerchief behind the door. My
unole's voice, when he spoke again, sounded
ominiously familiar.
"You will excuse me II leave you now.
This intelligence has stunned me COM
"It's all true" she declared. "Ask
mamma"
"Your word suftices," he said hastily, and
left the house. -.
Instantly darted from my hiding place
to the assistance of my promised aunt,
prostrate on the sofa.
"Celia-aunt, be comforted,n implored.
Never she returned. 'Tll break my
heart-it'll serve mother out"
How alleviate her distressi Presently
came brisk ring at the door,. and in
kstn .aI oh Inn
One glance at this pretty, careless, frisky,
irresponsible-looking matron, the contents
Of whose brain, l suspect. were mainly
thistle down, explained much. Full of her
purchases she began, without even noticing
me:
cecilia, I've seen your wedding dress.
Just like poets dream, dear.n
"Weddlng-dress echoed Celia, bitterly.
"Would itwere,"
'You won't be wanting to wear 1t ever
lastingly,", replied Mrs; Pierpont, mis-,
understanding her. "And I've composed
the loveliest white pearl cuirass."
"Hush,n cried Celia, frantically, II wish
I'd never seen Hamerton; never left Amer
lea Never been born It's all your dQing.h
aQf course it ISL said Mrs. Pierpopt, COM
placenty. q" brought you over expressly
to afford you the opportunity Of marrying
an English gentleman-your ideal, you
said.n
"a likely thing,n Cola bitterly re-
sponded, that an English gentleman
would marry girl Of my humble extrac'
ton. No use, mother, know all, all; so
does Rich-Mr. Grimston, and he's gone,
leaving me branded as an adventures"
Mrs Pierpont, very slightly disconnected,
looked around as II seeking an escape. Her
eye fell upon me.
"Who is that young manW she inquired.
''Mr. David D D'Aubigny," mourned Celia,
"my nephew that was to have BEEN"
HE, then, is the informer against u.s.
Mother, no; thanks to his generosity
alone, was enabled to inform against my
self-and spared the disgraceful fate you
prepared for me-"
Mrs Pierpont began to sob.
II did it for your good, Celia-ungrateful
girl. No princess ever had abetter educa-
ton, and we moved In excellent society In
New York. And, after all, what did tell
you of Mr. Grimston that was falsel Youi
papa was valuable civil servant and his
was the only pure butter In Indianapolis
I've no doubt the vine Howards spranR
from branch Of the Dukes family, though
the proofs may be inaccessible. Asto Mr
Pierpont, who's been dead these twenty
four years, silence is golden, but this must
say, that he was unrivaled in the coiffeur'i
ART
Celia broke in vehemeptly,
Mother, what mookeryl Isn'tit enough
that you've deceived Mr. Grim'ton, and
broken my heart" D.
"Thats right-turn against your own
mother, who never spoke or. stirred but fol
you. II the wedding had come of, I'd have
gone back to America and never troubled
you more To think Of that wedding dress
wasted, and your travelling bag with the
initials engraved; though certainly you