The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1886-08-13

oommonplace 70 need describing. Sul-
Zee Il % say that Augustus fascinating |
manners. his fashionable attire and /
bic performances upon the German
flute combined 70 render him irresisti-
bleL
The Smiths turned out 70 be . ~
spectacle family. without the least pre-
tentions 20 gcntility. II was evident
that August s was the nearest approach
TO gentleman they had ever been &C
quainted with, and their qualification
81 his polite attentions was undis-
guised. No doubt tho fact that he
very much exaggerated the amount Of
his small fortune assisted to facilitate
bis courtship. Old Mr.. Smith, from
the outset. seemed content with the
prospect Of securing him for . son-in-
law; and when Augustus, after COM
paratively short acquaintance, avowed
his passion for Miss Arabella
Smith, her father gave his consent
TO the engagement without hesitation.
Augustus was naturally elated BY bis
success, though the naive vulgarity
Of Miss Arabella rather distressed
him. But she seemed good. honest
sort Of girl--not beautiful. certainly,
vet fairly presentable. Compared
with the solid fact that she was an
hcircss. her trifling defects weighed
very lightly with Augustus. The
crumpled rose-leaf which disturbed
his happiness was due to the ominous
behaviour Of q rival. Mr.. Theodore
Brittlebone, whose attentions until
Augustus had appeared upon the
scene, seemed to have been favorably
received by Miss Arabella.
Mr.. Theodore Brittlebone was .
gaunt and gloomy youth. whose ayoca-
| ton was something in the hardware
line. Bitter cnmity, not unnaturally.
! arose between him and Augustus.
which resulted In Mr.. Brittlebone be-
ing requested by old Mr.. Smith to dis
continue his visits when Miss Ara
bclla's engagement was announced.
Mr.. Brittlebone accordingly withdrew
his society, but he haunted the house
like shadow. He waylaid Augustus
in the streets, accosting him with mock
politeness, and accusing him OF trifling
with Miss Arabella's affections. Dc
casionally his conduct became violent.
aud he once actually challenged
Augustus to fight il out like : man be-
meath q lamp-post. This unruly be-
havior and persistent persecution be-
gan 10 prey upon the nerves Of Angus
tus, who, in addition to being . little
man, was not addicted 20 pugilism.
He was painfully conscious that be
was no match for the bellicose Mr..
Brittlcbone, and he was seriously ap'
prehensive for his personal safety
But what worried him even more was
that his rival cast doubts upon The ex'
istence Of old Mr.. Smiths reputed
wealth. Apparently Mr.. Brittlebone
rendered keen-eyed BY Jealousy, d
vined the real cause Of Augustus de
votion. At all events, he nevel
wearied Of insinuating that he was 10
quainted with Mr.. John Smith
real circumstances in tone AMI
manner which were painfully sug
gcstlve. Augustus forebore to dis
cuss the subject with him. although
these dark hints made him very un
easy. He was quite unable to fathon
his future father-in-law, who declined
TO be inveigled intO conversation abou
his affairs. But Il was evident tina
this reticence was constitutional, an
. was not assumed for the occasion. Oh
Mr.. Smith was habitually taci,urn an
| secretive. and in this respect his con
duct was quite IN keeping with miserl
propcnsities. Augustus consoled him
self with the reflection that none coul'
know better than himself the true stat
Of the case, and endeavored TO ctiiI
his misgivings BY attributing Mr.. Brit
tlcbone's inucndocs TO envy and ig
| norancc mingled with jealousy.
Although Augustus duly announce
his engagement to his friends, he di
not for some time mention il TO b
fellow-studcnts It Mr.. Retainer
chambers. He instinctivcIy gucsse
that Mr.. Retainer would suspect ho'
the event had come abont. and. there
fore, to avoid unpleasantncss, b
deemed it prudent to hold his tongue
But after awhile the news leaked ou
as all news will; and when Augusta
was one morning requested TO 60 int
Mr.. Rctainer's room. he had prescn
iment Of what was in store.
GOOD morning. Mr.. Nav" sal
Mr.. Retainer, very stifiiy. ~ has
sent for you to ask II il be true, =
hear, that You are engaged g Be ma
ried."
II Eyes, sir; its true" said Augustu
!. definitely.
2 "Of course / have nothingwhatevc
to do with your private Affairs" =
sumed Mr.. Retainer; but Il has O
CURED to me that / may be, in
= measure. innocently responsible 4
what has taken place
II don't understand" said Augu'
tus, reddening.
.sThc young lady is Miss Smith,
2 am told-thc daughter Of Mr.. job
= Smith. Of Hilldrop crescent, Camde
town." said Mr.. Retainer. meaningl'
RI THAT is correct" admitted, Augu
: tus.
{ ssWhose will was prepared In m
!. chambers q few months back sal
!. Mr.. Retainer, with unpleasant en-
4 phasis.
s.It was an accidental circumstance.
|. murmured Augustus. avoiding Mr.. 4
4 tainer's gaze.
8 s'Of course. II l thought for OF
3 moment that any one in my chambc
4 could be capable Of such . gross bread
/ - 10 - -