The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-06-08


pier, adding, with chucl1le, that he knew
me by my escription-whether this was
complimentary or not did not care to de-
eide.
$50 you're here for wifem he began. 81
never beat about the bush, and Tom Jupp
and | know each other. I've got one looked
out for you. No time like the present. I'll
call at your 'otol i'm 'alf an hour and take
you round to Mrs Clegson daughters got
g40000 and amt so bad-looking by candle
light"
got rid of this impetuous old man as soon
as | could, and dined at my hotel; but be-
fore l could settle down to dessert he bolted
in, wouldn't drink any claret, and said we
could get coffee at Violet villa So much
against my will, accompanied Mr.. Plum to
a pretty house near the sea. The grounds
were very well planted the house apparent
ly very comfortable. AS we walked up the
little drive, Mr.. Plum said, soto voce:
"Mrs. Clcgson's doosid sharp; don't want
Ady to marry any one under baronet, and
she's always on the lookout for fellers with
out cash. But, never you mind-malSe play
with your good looks. Ady's got will of
her own. And she's seen the world. Her
father was Consul at several places in the
Levant, and his brother was in the currant
line there and left his niece his fortune.
Here we are.n
He rang, and in minute or two re-
markably neat and pretty servant smilingly
opened the door, as if Mr.. Plum were q IA
miliar visitor. We entered a pretty hall
and then charming drawing-room, where
sat portly lady with keen dark eyes which
looked through very forbidding spectacles
Mr.. Plum introduced me, and received a by
no means gushing reception; but was op-
poste a mirror, and my own reflection con-
soled me. Then Mr.. Plum began, as l
thought, with rather forced bonhon,ie, to
talk to the lady about various local matters,
carefully avoiding any mention of Miss
Clegson, who, it seemed, from an allusion
casually made, was out at a garden party.
BY and by we left, Mrs. Clegson scrutinizing
me in most particular manner as wished
her goodbye. Outside, old Plum chuckled.
"Shc gues5es what you're after" he said;
"she can smell a rat nywhere-clever
woman"
AS we turned corner we met a young
lady attended by hobbledehoy in a cricket
suit This was, / supposed, Ada Clegson.
So 1t proved.
"Ah, Miss Ady," roared my companion,
"'ow are youl Let me introdooce Mr.. Reg
inald Lesterley, the nephew of very old
chum o. mine.n She bowed abruptly, l
with my usual graceful ease, and l took a
good look at my future wife. Good eyes,
dark and keen, sallow complexion, nose and
lips too coarse hair fluffy and black; on the
whole not good-loolSing, even if she were
passable by candlelight. Why can not the
heiresses be pretty girlsi This is problem
worth studying.
We turned and walked back, re entered
the house on her invitation and found Mrs.
DIT l.n,, 1tsN
evidently mistress. and her mamma had to
tolerate me. l could see, for | am expert
enced in such matters, Ada was much i'm
pressed by my looks and manners. / mar
rated my London experiences and acquaint-
ancestor the most part truthfully. ]
glanced at my foreign tours and adventures
wholly untruthfully. On the whole. l am
of opinion | behaved with much greater
tact than the prejudiced Uncle Jupp would
ever have credited me with For a first in
terview |, as Mr.. Plum assured me when we
came out, made play considerably. And
l certainly thought deserved well of my
uncle.
The days passed on, and my intimacy at
Violet Villa became great. That pretty
servant, who | could see was as appreciative
as her young mistress Of my good looks
pity the pair couldn't exchange faces-wel-
coined me with a smile as if l were an ac-
credited inmate of the house. Ada was
always glad to see me. Only Mrs Clegson
remained I,nthawed. When I looked at her
I ALWAYS felt she was likely. if any one. to be
responsible for the affair "being blundered. -
as Uncle Jupp once or twice wrote me brief
notes to beware of Another thing was.
she had some sort of control. within limits.
though never could unite tell what. over
her daughters marriage. She took care
never To allow n tet,-a-fefe between me and
Ada: and she had all the letters taken up to
her room in a post bag in the morning, of
which bag she kent the KEY. while at all
other hours she ALWAYS watched for the
postman. so that the opportunities OF speak
inp my mind were ALWAYS dificult.
We'll. Tins things went on. when there
arrived on n vista nephew of Mrs. Clegson,
a clean.shavcn. sallow. hawlS-eved man.
who WAS in some big company as general
manager. and. | have no doubt. had made
his pile'' out of the shareholders. ANYHOW
he had some money. so the old lady liked
him. though believe Ada only treated him
as a cousin. He was an ugly dog. with the
worst cut clothes | ever saw, and a sharp.
brusoue. energetic way of moving which /
hated. always did admire the Ncapolitan
lazzaroni more than any other class. But.
TO come to the point. as Mr.. Jupp is ALWAYS
botherinr me to do. old Plum said he
thought nv chances would be improved by
Ned Cutely being down at Cowes and ad-
vised me to strike while the iron was ,ot.
But was it hot, | had never got so far as
the brink of a proposal and was very
bad hand at making any formal speech
whatever. Besides. how could fellow do
il when the girls mother always watched
mo lilo a cotl II ,yas oil verv ,yall for old