, 1889-08-28
THE FATE OF AN USHER.

The scene was n young mans boudoir,
If such an anomaly can exist; the time,
late in the evening, when condolences
find easiest expression; the people were
the boudoir's owner, in a neglige COM
pounded of dress clothes and n smoking
jacket, and the friend of his bosom,
somewhat similarly attired, with the
comfortable abomination of a cigarette
between his fingers.
Just let me read it TO you again"
said he of the smoking jacket, straight
ening himself in his chair and taking Il
worn looking paper from the table.
Something may suggest itself TO you. /
want to have it all right, you know, so
that when the notice is mentioned l shall
be ready with n good suggestion. Now,
then, listen; 'Miller-Waldron. On We'd
nesday, the 2Sth inst, at the Church of
the Seven Angels, by the Right Rev. Ar
thur st. John Forbes, DID, assisted by
the Rev. Francis Willard Mason, George
Northrup Miller and Alkaline Bell, daugh-
ter Of the late Maj. Gen. Sylvester Wal
dron, United States army How is it?
Does it goY'
Co? | should think sol All those
capitals will sparkle like diamonds in
the sun. But, Miller, l wish you would
me out of the affair. How many
weddings do you suppose 1 have played
usher for this spring? Six-no less"
We'll, make it seven~ There's luck in
odd numbers"
There wouldn't be in this case. l
was just ready to swear off from all
social designations, and go into training
until fall, for tho sake of my health.
There's Greene, he's n good fellow: have
him"
Miller shook his head. ~ won't have
Greene nor anybody else" he said, clasp
ing his hands behind his head and throw
ing himself back in his chair. "Tll have
you. Pm sorry If you're feeble. l wish
you could be best man. There's plenty
to get md little to do in that situation:
but Ada's brother-confound him!-I
had to ask HIM"
"Of course. | don't grudge him the
honor; but you know Wednesday is drill
night for me, and"-
I'm pay your fine"
Hang the finer
with pleasure; but If you don't mind
the fine, I'm sure | don't see why YOU
hiAili NhAAlilbs iitl VIII NOIh NOu IldIN-
er than / shall. / won't oblige you TO
carry a gun"
Thanks. In equal to the gun, 1 be-
lieve."
"I1l tell you what it is, Brooks, you
ave been in no end of n sulk since there
was n doubt about Miss Towards being
maid of honor. l must say l think it's
shabby of you to desert me on that ac-
count. Still, l will be magnanimous,
and tell you the news, although it would
serve you right if ] didn't. She has &C
cepted, after all; her father has consent
ed TO her coming to town for the occa-
sion. Why he wanted to refuse at all l
can't imagine. But it is like him; every
body knows what he is"
Brooks laughed with a more interested
manner than he had shown heretofore.
81 don't" he said; what is he?"
why, haven't you met him2"
Yes, but only once or twice, and then
not for more than n minute. He is a
handsome man"
"Oh, iron gray hair gives any man a
distinguished look, and he is tall and
straight, which helps out the idea, but
he is a perfect tyrant. l have heard
that he is positively cruel to his daugh-
ter; that he bought this place out of
town ~purposely to keep her shut up, and
that he won't let a man look at her.
Now there was Radford. 1t seems that
he went out there to offer Miss Howard
his hand and heart, and was fairly rush
ed off the place by his host"
Sensible man. Who told of Trad
fordg'
Il don't know; it was told. l admit
that, excepting financially, Radford is
not much of a catch. He hasn't as much
strength of character as a little, wee
monkey; but must say l think that he
might nave been declined with thanks
] suppose it sounds heartless, but pecu-
liar advantages belong to a girl who
hasn't any father"
Brooks rose to his feet and dropped his
cigarette end into n receiver; then turn
ing an animated countenance toward
his host, he grasped his hand and shook
it warmly. I'm see you through, Mil
ler,' he said, "if it takes the last prop Of
my failing constitution"