Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-04

socIstv. Mr.. Charles Cordsr Was mot
| lsss surprised By 1.-THE KID "--Miss
| Mabel Khite--a very pretty girl o.
e;shtesn. seli.posssssed and with plenty
Of conversation.
NJ. Cordss ct once felt that his posi-
ton vas difficult; be Was conscious Of
bis social infsriority, and nervous be-
cause obliged TO turn this charming lady
and her daughter out Of the house.
He talked about the weather, about
the gardens, about the greenhouse,
| about the furniture, about the neigh.
borhood and the nsighbors ; incidentally
he learned from the widow that there
Was 8 baronst within five miles who bad
three unmarried daughters, and he re-
| solved mentally that his son should
marry one Of them.
"About what Is their figure ?" asked
Mr.. Corder.
"Slim and graceful" answered the
lady.
81 don't mean that" said the ex-
smoked-mothe -pearl-button manu-
facturer. 81 mean what is each of
them worth in money!"
The widow shook her head. " Not
much" she said {" / fear the family is
not wealthy. If they had had more
dover they would not have remained
unmarried"
$50 much the better" thought Mr..
Corder "more likely to snap at Char
lie."
Casually it came out that Mrs. White
was related to tho baronet. Mr.. Cor
der felt abashed and awed when he
learned this.
The conversation turned to the
ghostly sweep, and Mrs. White said
"Neither Mabel nor 1 have been incon-
venienced by him personally. OF
course, we do not believe in his ex-
istepce, and we have neither seen nor
heard him. True" she added, "we
never enter the state rooms at night,
because We do not occupy them. This
wing suffices US, and two ladies do not
need more than snuggery." After a
pause she said nervously, and with
smile to conceal her trepidation, But
I suppose We shall now have to vacate
our lodging-we cannot, of course, ex-
pect--"
"Let us not speak Of business to-
day, ma'am," said Mr.. Corder politely.
I" have no doubt for awhile shall be
obliged to trouble you for advice and
information about the place and people
which will be valuable to me as a
stranger"
sis Mrs. Corder likely to arrive
soon ?" asked the widow timorously.
"There is no Mrs. Corder," said he
in reply. "She left this world Of woe
fifteen years ago, when Charles was a
baby"
"When your son was baby" cor
rected Mrs. White"
"Quite so. / said so," answered
Mr.. Corder, with a little color in his
temples. He was aware that he had
pronounced his word wrong.
While his father was talking to the
widow Charles was occupied with the
daughter, and found himself gradually
drawing his chair nearer to her, till they
were discussing the spectral sweep in
low tone, actually tete-a-tete.
When the two gentlemen left Charles
Corder said to his father, $50 | sup
pose you have given them notice to
ouit?n
Mr.. Corder grunted.
at seems almost a pity" said
Charles. 'They are very nice people,
and might really be of use to you in
the house."
Mr.. Corder growled: "Look here,
Charles, the girl is good-looking and
you are taken with her pretty face.
That is the plain English. 1t won't do.
I'll have no misalliances in my family.
Charlie, there is q noble baronet within
five miles who has three baronetical
daughters. You must marry one Of
them. I have made up my mind.
allow you free choice among the three,
but sure as buttons is buttons one Of
them it shall be, or / will leave my for
tune to the Orthopedic Hospital"
Next day, after dinner, Mr.. Corder
said to his son: "Charles, made a
mistake yesterday. I forgot to inquire
the ages, names, and temperaments Of
the baronetical daughters. think III
Just step over and ask particulars Of
Mrs. White"
"Pray don't exert YOURSELF" said
Mr.. Charles, starting to his feet. ~
will run across and ascertain"
"On no account" answered Mr..
Corder, reddening with anger. 81 see
what 1t is-you want to have another
look into the blue eyes of Miss Mabel.
But won't have it. The sooner these
people turn out the better. I'll 60 and
expedite matters, quicken their exit,
and at the same time learn the ages and
sexes Of the baronet's daughters, one
of whom is to be Mrs. Charles" The
old gentleman was excited, and did not
consider his words. "If the eldest be
cutting her teeth, and the youngest
still be in long clothes, then Of course
/ do not press the marriage /; but-take
care. The Orthopedic Hospital may
straighten all the feet in Christendom
with my money if you take a step
against my will"
The old gentleman was absent quite
an hour. When he returned he said
1.-THE eldest is Mary, aged five-and-
twenty; the second, Susan, is twenty
enc, and the third, Triphena, is only
nineteen. You may take your choice,
but sure as buttons is buttons one it
shall be-"
Next day, in the afternoon, Mr..
Corder said to his son "Charles, |
wonder what is the depth Of our well,
and also whether the water is abso-
lutely pure. l am no water-drinker
myself, but do feel myself morally
bound to ascertain that the homely
beverage or my domestics is free from
zymotic germs" AS he used these
last words he looked timidly at his son.
lie was not sure that he understood
them himself, but they sounded well.
Halo father z" exclaimed the
young man, removing his cigar from
his lips and staring at him.
"And," continued Mr.. Corder, 81
think l will step across to Mrs. White