The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1886-08-07

German flute combined to make hin
| irresistible.
The Smiths turned out TO be res
pectabte family, without the least pre-
Tensions to sentittity. 1t was evident
| that Augustus was the nearest approach
to Il gentleman they had ever been
acquainted with, aud their gratitica-
ton at ms poli,e attentions was undis-
suised. No doubt, the fact that he had
very much exaggerated the amount oi
his small fortune assisted TO facilitate
his courtship. Old Mr.. Smith, from
the outset, seemed content with the
prospect of securing him for sou-in
law, and when Augustus, after - com
paratively short acquain,ance, avoWed
his passion for Miss Arabeiia Smith
her father gave his consent to the en-
gagement without hesitation.
Augustus was naturally eiated by his
success, though the naive vulgarity oi
Miss Arabeiia rather distressed him.
But She seettied II good honest sort OF
stri-not beautiful, certainly, Yet fair
~ presentabte. Compared with the
solid fact that she was an heiress, her
tr'ttlng defects weighed very lightly
with Augustus. The crumpled rose,
leaf which disturbed his happiness was
due 10 the unin0us behavior ui a rival,
Mr.. Theodore Britt,eboue, whose at>
tentions, until Augustus had appeared
upon the scene, seemed to have been
favurably received by Miss Arabella.
Mr.. Theodore Brittiebone was n
gaunt anu gloomy youth, whose avoca.
ton WAS something in the hardware
line. Bitter enmity not unnaturally y
arose between him and Augustus,
which resulted in Mr.. Smith TO dis
continue his visists when Miss Ara>
besla's engagement was announced.
Mr.. Brittiebone accordingly Withdrew
his society, but he hauuted the house
itke " shadow. He waytuid Augustus
IN the streets, accustiuE him with mock
poIIteness, aud accusing hun of lr'ti,ng
with Miss AraUeila's affections. Occn-
aud he once actually challenged
under IA laMp-post.
This unruly behavior and persistent
persecution began to prey upon the
nerves of Augustus, who, in addition
to being II little man, was not addicted
TO pugllism. He was painfully con-
scious that he was no match for the
beiilcose Mr.. Briltiebone, and he was
apprehensive for his personal
safety. But what worried tim even
more was that his rival cast doubts
upon the existence of oid Mr.. Snith's
rcputed wealth. Apparently Mr.. Brit.
tiebone, rendered keenoeyed by jeai-
ousy, OWNED the real cause OF Angus.
tus' devotion. AT all events, he never
wenried OF insinuutinE that he was
with Mr.. John Smiih's
real circumstances, in II tone and man.
ner which were painfully suggestive.
Augustus torebore to discuss the sub
ject with him, although these dark
Nuts made him very uneasy. He
was quite unable to fnlhDm his future
Ihiher-ln-laW, who declined to be IN
weighed into conversation about his
affairs. But it was evident that this
reticence WAS constitutional, and Was
not assumed for the occasion. Otd MIR.
Smith was habituaiiy tuctiturn aud Sc
cretive, aud in this respect his conduct
was quite in Keeping with miserIy
Augustus cOnsOled him
self with the reflection that none could
know better than himself the true state
of the case, and rndeavored to stitle
his misstvings by nttributing Mr..
innuendos to envy and
ignorance mingled with jealousy.
Although Augustus duly announced
his engagement 20 his friends, he did
not for some time mention it to his
elbow 81 udents at Mr.. Retaiuer's cham
bers. He tnsttnctiveiy guessed that
Mr.. Retainer would suspec; how the
event had come about, and, therefore,
to avoid unpIensantness, he deemed II
prudent to hold his tongue. But after
II while the news leaked out. as all
news will; aud when Augustus was,
one morning, requested TO go into MIR.
ISetuIner's room, he had II presentiinent
of what was in store.
"Good nornlug, Mr.. Maw," said MIR.
Retainer very stiffiy. 81 have sent for
you TO ask If IT is trne, NJ ] hear, that
you are engaged To bc narried?'
"YeS sir" II IL true" Augustus an
. sWeTeH defiantly.
"Of course / have nothing Whatever
to do with your private AFFAIRS" re-
sumed Mr.. Retainer, "but tt has Oc-
Cured to me that ] may he, in IA
measure, innocentfy responsible for
what has taken place."
81 don't understand" said Angus
tus, reddening.
"The young lady is n Miss Smith,
/ am tOld--the daughter of Mr.. John
Smith, Of HiIldrop-crescen,, Camden
Town." said Mr.. Retainer, meaningly.