Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-10-02
A FLAT PROCEEDING.

CT "
marry Margery. So he vowed most sol
EMMY, while he planned esthetic novelties
with all the courage of a hopeful swain.
Painters and decorators were in despair
over the originality and vigor of his whims,
while upholsterers ran frantically east and
west in the vain endeavor to match antique
brocades or TO harmonic extraordinary
rugs and curtains. No market could fur
nish colors rare enough to satisfy Dawes
fastidious taste. He was compelled, in
spite of his playful fancy and love of eccen-
tric combinations, TO put up with things
almost ordinary and incomplete.
Russell DAVE wrote plays-unsuccess-
fully, of course. The lady with the trum-
pet had not yet blown a blast over his
head, He had, however, great hopes and
vast confidence in his own powers. These
are not unusual manifestations in this de-
partment of letters. Hitherto his most ar
duous efforts had received not the smallest
reward, and his golden argosies of wit and
pathos had either been sucked into the
cruel whirlpool of a managers waStepaper
basket, or had been stranded at the point of
departure by a postman.
Mr.. Dave had, however, contrived to sub
sist-I dare notsay live, for he had wide no
tons of living-on his private income,
fixed. though small, and the principal
thereof beyond his power of grasp. Now.
however, on the strength of his love and
the impetus it had given to his muse, he
was about to embark on the perilous deeps
0 matrimony. Having in hand rather
ore than enough money to pay a quar-
+arfc rant of bie racidaptfa1 4fat no ctorfed
off gayly at a canter. One purchase quickly
led to another, and the useful to the ex-
travagant and ornamental, until finally be
had fittings replete and beautiful through
out his abode. Nevertheless, he caviled
with a lordly air at various trifies, COM
planning of imperfect work and inaccurate
details. For the time being he gave no
thought to the cost of his orders, and it was
meet that his Margery's shrine should be
perfect and lovely. He had no doubt he
would be hall way up the ladder Of fame by
the time bills were presented. He only
needed the spur of duty, and complacently
attributed his many failures to his too easy
line of life. AT the present time elaborate
plots, ingenious situations and brilliant dia-
logues simmered in his brain. Such mate
rails would not take long to shape into ele-
giant drawing-room plays and spirited COM
edies. Given the peace of domestcity and
the blessings of Margery's daily smiles, and
dramas would take attractive forms and
distinguish him highly with managers or
ders and patronage. During his courtship
this imaginative gentlemen never ceased
to blow the roseate bubbles of hope.
The mansions on which Russell Dawes
choice had fallen were situated in the vicin-
ity of Earl's Court. This remote region was
fixed upon for a variety of reasons. In the
first place, noise was utterly unsuited to his
occupation and sensitive organization. An
abundance of fresh air was also q necessity
to one of his craft. Therefore he and his
Margery must live on the top story. There
were well on TO a hundred steps, and no ele-
vator, but that was not to be considered in
the light of q drawback. In fact. this young
man stoutly maintained that these were a
great gain for a man addicted to sedentary
pursuits and compelled in this way to take
necessary exercise. As for Margery, if she
came home tired, he would carry her up.
In the enthusiasm of love Mr.. DAVE over
looked the fact that his lady-loye weighed
over ten stone, and stood five feet seven in
in her stockings.
Miss Margery McKilligin was a young
lady ofno mean ability and great determi-
nation, even before she accomplished her
resolve to marry the poorest of her many
lovers. She was sweet and twenty at this
time, and the heiress to $50 a year at her
next birthday. This modest fortune, the
legacy of her aunt, was all her OWL, and
on the strength of it she was going to carry
on housekeeping. Having lived most OF
her life in fields of clover-otherwise indis-
putable luxury Miss Margery contemplated
a picnic existence high up aloft and tree
from parental restrictions as little short of
Elysium. 1t must be admitted, as a take
off to clover fields, that papa MeKilligin
was q fiery old gentleman, addicted to
domineering. The young lady's marriage
would lift her into a sphere of indepen-
dence and informality which appeared to
her most delightful.
Miss Margery was thoroughly imbued
with high-art crazes, and loathed the solid
mahogany, crimson damask and unaeni-
able responsibility of her Lancaster Gate
surroundings. She yearned to dip herself
into Bohemian dyes, and to ride pillion on
the meanest Pegasus.
All her admirers had hitherto been rising
young city men. with no souls for turnl-
ture. ewes blind to harmonies of color, and
ears deaf to repartee. Her kirtles, olive
green gowns and slashed sleeves, her cpl
grams and sarcasms, had met with no
praise or appreciation from young PILLS
tines, who worshiped neither nature, art
nor literature. But Russell came, Russell
saw and was conquered. Malgery's heart
acknowledged him forthwith as its lord.
The reason of this hero's love for Miss
McKilligin was not far to seek. In the first
place she was a very attractive girl, with q
lively temper of her own. Her medieval
costumes and smart sayings, an unusual
antithesis to sad and clinging raiment,
drew his attention to the pretty stranger al
a water party. When he heard a eOmpan-
ion call this beautiful vision in Juliet-like
attire by the name of hargery he instantly
declared to himself that he was in love
with her.
q l always made up my mind to marry a
Margerv, you know" he said. "Margery
Dave was a necessary union of names.
But, dear RUSSELL said the blushing
maid-this was 8 fortnight later" what
will papa say2 He will never consent
"Oh, I'll soon settle him. said the
doughty lover, ohiyalrous sentiments bub-
bling up as he stood on tiptoe to kiss his
beloved.
Rut papa had q great deal TO say that was
not at AM pleasant, and Russell found Nc
KiIligin anything but plastic to his will.
The settling business took q long time
This great stock broker to whom Russell
offered himself as son-in-law was a notable
business man moreover, he had q good
Knowledge of the fair Margery's marketa-
BILE value. Having a tribe OF younger
daughters. the fruits of his second mar
riage all sandy-haired and freckled, o.
whom it was hopeless to expect eligible
husbands, he was anything but vel
pleased at the prospects of the union of hi;
eldest born with a penniless author. Mar
gerry. with her merry blue eyes and hand
some figure, might certainly do very vel
indeed If she waited.
So Mr.. McKilligin strongly resisted the
lovers, threatening q parental curse. Mar
gerv remained obstinate, boldly asserting
her indanandanca in her nhna's face. NeXl