St. Paul daily globe., 1889-10-23

1t has been matter of talk all this sea-
son, and under the circumstances
mothers do sometimes come in for a
minor share of attention before the we'd
ding-tres bien entendu. fes, he is in
deed' (pensiyely) "a very charming
young man. Money, connection, man
ners; all that one could wish in a SON
ln-laW. | esteem myself specially for
tunate, / do assure YOU"
Mrs. Blair smiled a dubious smile,
and remarked that she had stayed an
age and must be gong. She was
woman who knew most things and SuS-
pected few more, and repeated freely
all that she knew, and good deal that
she didn't; therefore q woman with
whom it was advisable TO keep on the
strictest terms of amity, for you never
knew what might happen if you didn't.
People tattle so, that we all know" at
last she observed; ''but if he really is
after Mabel, it must be said he has
strange method Of eourting, for it is
your side, my dear, that he never
leaves" The little laugh which accom-
panied this parting shot did not promote
the slightest reciprocal hilarity, in Lady
vi. MAY have your leave to say"
she proceeded, that he has really
offered to Mabel, and that the wedding
is soon to be?'
'Well, no, not quite" said her aud
itor. Nothing is settled as yet. 1t is
so much better not to talk about these
things till one has seen them in the
Morning Post. l throw myself entirely
upon your discretion, Mrs. Blair. l
know can trust you" With this bare
faced assurance the conference ended;
but her ladyship became aware that
some steps must be taken which would
precipitate matters, and bring the mill
tary hero to definite conclusion. She
really wished the match for her daugh-
ter. There was no fault to find with
this misguided young man. He would
do for Son-in-law better than many, and
she would be glad to have Mabel fairly
settled in life, and be able, as she said, to
devote herself to Sir Hercules, who
could do without her less and less, as
she was in the constant habit of affirm
ing. And yet there were people ILL
natured enough to declare that his wife
turned the key upon her gouty and iras-
chile warrior before leaving him for the
engagement of the night. But then. as
we all know to our cost, some peoples
tongues are capable Of any atrOciOuS
invention, to which a virtuouS ear
should never incline. So Lady vi
firmly resolved to bring the young man
to book, while he, unconscious Of his
doom, continued to friSk and play like
a lamb in the meadow while the butcher
is advancing unawareS.
1t fell out i'll this way.
He was to call for the ladies one after
noon in order to escort them to the park.
But he was shown ominOuSly into the
shaded and charming room which be-
longed to Lady vi, with its screens and
draperies. its palms and pots and fan
tastic ornaments. Mabel was not there,
however. and her ladyShip presently
entered alone. He must excuse Mabel,
she said, who had headache, and
could not go; not, in fact, leave her
room; so she would give him tea, and
they would have little quiet chat. lie
began to feel nervous. and his heart,
under his white Waisteoat, gave sud-
den jump. They slipped their tea
Lady vi slowly, as he thought, and
with cruel deliberation. Presently the
enemy would, as he we'll know. open
fire. His courage began to rise, as
brave mans will. with the sense of
danger. He resolved to be no craven,
and TO fight it out with all the desperate
yaor of despair
My dear child has not been looking
very we'll of late-dO you Think" began
the attacking force in q gentle, mur-
murous voice, like a dove on an elm tree,
Indeed, Lady vi! In my poor opin-
ion your daughter never looked more
brilliant-
mo, indeed" Interrupted the fair
speaker with much vivacity. "TheSe
constant headaches from which the poor
child suffers are becoming, assure you,
a serious cause of anxiety. | think of
consulting Sir Agnew Darke about her.
But medical treatment is too often pow
erless in such cases. But what is a
mother to dO?" And Lady vi heaved
deep sigh.
advice, know. is often useless"
said this artless young man, ''in cases OF
organic disease; butyOu cannot possibly
feel any such apprehension with regard
to your daughters health"
Lady Wis heavier guns now advanced
and began to open on the position.
II see | must speak plainly, my dear
friend. Young ladies must be silent,
but mothers must act freely Oil their be-
half. Yonr attentions haYe been so
marked that fear my darling child'S
happiness is i'll danger of being cOmpTO-
missed. She is suffering in silence, and
without word from you, either to eX-
plain or justify your heartless-yes,
and L will say it--your unprincipled
conduct"
Here laced ockethandkerchief
came out, and was used with effect.
''Speak you must, indeed" murmured
her ladyship, softly, but with great de-
cision, from behind it, ''Or | must see
my beloved Mabel the premature victim
of her unhappy and misplaced affection
for heartlesS man" Tears choked
her utterance; sobS shook the pretty
hands which held the handkerchief, now
being used as flag of distress unutter-
able. Even our young man was, for
one brief moment, disconnected. But
he felt it was now or never, and with
bold determination dropped on his
knees. He seized the diSengaged hand.
and kissed it fervently.
Now | will speak indeed" he cried.
Lady vi, you behold in this attitude"
(and he glanced at his knees 1.-The most
devoted of your slaves. 1t is quite i'm
possible you can for one moment have
mistaken my attentions. 1t is you whom
| have ventured to approach through
your daughter. Speak. dear lady. and
make me happiest, as | am feel the
most audaciOus, of men,"
Good heavens!N screamed her lady
ship. do you know what you are say
ing? A declaration to me! What will
Sir Hercules saY?''
::'Sir Hercules!' said the ardent swain
in modest voice. MAY l ask who is
Sir Hercules, and what has he or any
man to do with my affairs, should like
to know?"
''Simply this" returned her ladyship,
wringing her hands. THAT he is my
husband-my dear, dear old man-and
that you, sir, are wilfuliy insulting me.
Get up from the carpet this instant, and
never let me see you again!"
married." he murmhred in the faint
est accents. Good graciousI Lady vi,
l thought you were widow, and free,
1 needn't say, to receive my addresses,
or should neyer-never have presumed.
What a cruel mistake for man to |
make! Forgive me, if you can, Lady
vi. 1t is who have to suffer-" He
hid his face i'll his hands, this hypo-
critical young man. Hypocrisy is al |
ways detestable vice. Forgive me-"
he pleaded. ''Say you forgive, Or l |
won't go away; upon my honor l
WON'T" and he also showed signs of |
falling on his knees again.
Lady vi rose majestically. "This in