Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-01-28

They clustered about her; her husband
presented her CALAMITY with bunch OF
yiolets.
"Oh, what nonsense, Harry will take
them, though catching them hastily and
putting them in her belt, when a sword
is suspended over our heads! Papa is GO
| ing to be married. p
Archie tumbled off his chair in a very
boisterous manner; Jack started up with
smothered, angry exclamation, and her
husband looked crest-fallen.
"How do you know? Has he written :"
exclaimed Archie.
Nina Montgomery is staying in the
very house with papa's inamorata- Pll
read you her letter:
81 write in the greatest hurry to tell
you that, unless you can prevent 1t, your
| father will be married to fascinating, in
triguing kind of cousin Of mine, who is
doing all in her power to make him and
every one else in love with her"
"She is a widow, and fatally, danger
ously charming. She has light hazel eyes,
wonderful hair, an exquisite white skin,
and, whether she walks or sits still, looks
up or down, is irresistible. hate her be-
cause | am jealous Of her. | overheard
your father entreat, beseech her, to marry
him. He told her he'd settle million on
her, alluded to all of you, and seemed to
think no one but William would like it.
There is no use of my saying any more.
Come on in full force. She's cowardly
little thing-has scruples. | think you
can prevent it,"
Mrs Grant laid the letter gravely down
on the library table, gazed at the three
with a questioning glance, and languidly
inhaled the perfume of her blue violets.
How can father be such fool ~ ex-
claimed Jack " he is 20 years old"
Poor father p said Archie How de-
voted and kind he was to mamma Let
him marry if he pleases"
You little know what you are saying"
shrieked Gertrude "Let him marry p
with sarcastic air. "The woman is an
artful, designing mink! She'll never rest
until she has put us out of this house, and
out of his heart and out of his will. Eve
heard too much of rich old fathers and
young step-mothers. | feel awfully sorry
very gloomy life, and if he were younger
man. But how long could he live with
his pert young widow~
| wish William were here" exclaimed
Archie; he'd tell us what to do"
He'd tell us Just to make the best of
it." cried Gerty. He doats on papa. So
do We ALL she added with sigh, "onlv
we don't want him to be married. 1t is
undignifed, it is preposterous /" with ris-
ing indignation. ave can prevent it. Let
us use our utmost endeavors / shall
start to-day, and, Archie and Jack, you
come as soon as ! send for you. I'll write
to William-he is at the White Noun
tains-and Pll lay the whole matter before
him"
" Dear papa, / could not live without
you moment longer" whispered Ger
trude as she emerged, faint with fatigue,
from the numbering coach and kissed the
old gentleman tenderly.
i" | rather though. you'd meet me with
a carriage at the station" she continued,
gently reproachful.
Il am sorry, my DEAR" replied Mr..
Lee with some embarrassment, " but had
made up party to go off in my yacht,
and, in fact, had to shorten the sail to
meet you at ALL
Dear papa" calculated Gerty, pressing
his arm tenderly.
Mr.. Lee looked doubtfully on the fair
little face nesting against his shoulder
he was evidently i'll at ease. A look of
relief passed over him when Mrs. Grant
announced her intention of remaining
in her room for the evening She sum-
moned, however, secretly, Miss Nina
Montgomery.
q shall be perfectly frank with your
cousin" she said to that young lady. 81
mean to write to Mrs. Page and propose
an interview. No skirmishing; I'll come
to the point directly"
That astute young person looked doubt
full: "She is hesitating; may not opposition
decide her-the wrong way ?"
"No, it will Brighten her | hate mas
terly inactivity. | am going for herr she
remarked.
They were playing croquet on very
poor croquet ground, with large party.
/" Mr.. Lee" whispered Mrs Page, "will
you walk on the beach after the game? l
have something to tell you"
81 hope it is something agreeable" he
replied, disturbed by her manner
"No; it is something very disagreeable."
The new moon CLEANED uncertainty on
the water delicious salt breezes blew upon
them as they walked up and down upon
the sands.
'Mr. Lee, | have had an interview with
pleasant interview. If | had made up my
mind to be her stepmother, think /
should retract; as it is"
What did you say, my dear Mrs.
Page" asked Mr.. Lee, with serenity he
was far from feeling.
''Ieaid very little. If she had coaxed, |
should have told her how little she had to
fear
"Ahr ~ in a tone of dismay.
GAS she did very much the reverse, /
was cold, dignifed and non-committal.
She accused me of entrapping and in
triguing of your money"-Mrs.
Page actually sobbed-"in short my dear
Mr.. Lee, | think l had better leave to-
morrow morning"
"And if you go, what will be the result,
so far as | am concerned ~ he politely in
terrogated.
"If | go it will greatly inconvenience
me, and of course my only object in going
will be to end this matter"
An angry CLEAN shot from Mr.. Lees
eye. "Fll take care" he said, "that
you'll not be annoyed in future. Mrs.
Grant shall humbly apologize, and she
must leave; not you"
any dear Mr.. Lee, promise me that you
will never speak to your daughter on the
subject. | insist, entreat that you never
allude to me-" continued the coaxing
voice.
"One one condition: that you stay, and
that what Mrs. Grant has said shall have
no effect on your conduct or decision.
am at your mercy; you are doubtful hest
tating, but the scales weigh little in my
favor, do they not p
"Oh, no. Indeed l have never thought
seriously of marrying YOU only dislike
to refuse you"
"That last is an admirable frame of
mind; preserve it :" and they left the
beach.
Archie and Jack appeared the next day,
summoned by an imperative telegram
from Mrs. Grant.
Now, boys, you must exert yourselves;
I've done all l cam said their sister.