, 1889-08-17

ut may be" said Harold. "But let
the mare stand still for me, then. Iquite
decline to fulfill the engagement. So,
madam, you have the fortune without
any incumbrance in my person"
And good radiance of bad rubbish,
say l." cried Betsy. There are better
fish in the sea than you, or women would
be poorly off. You're going, Ell? Well,
the sooner the better. Miss Smith, ring
the bell"
Elsie arose and touched the bell.
But now the deed was done and her OBJ
ject attained, she felt dreadfully ashamed
of herself.
Certainly a o unhappy and singu.
lar object than this before her could not
we'll be imagined.
Indeed, compassionate as was her
heart, she felt that his appearance was
not only painful, but almost ludicrous
but all the more should he have been
tenderly used.
Why had she played this childish
prank, and allowed n vulgar woman to
insult him in her presence?
And this gentleman-for hideous as he
was, he was a gentleman by breeding as
well as by birth-how would he hence.
forth think of her?
he would always believe that she had
uttered those rude words-she, and none
other.
And as he left the room she followed
him, and the servant who had answered
the bell retired at her nod and left the
two together in the long hall, where
they could hear the long and violent ex-
plosions of laughter with which Betsy
was now filling the drawing room.
"Mr. Harrington" said Elsie, her face
crimson MS she spoke, 81 cannot let you
go without a word of explanation. Il
have been SC grieved that you should be
insulted. never meant
my dear young lady, you nave moth,
ing to do with it, and my feelings are
not in the least hurt, replied the young
man. Who would care for anything O
person like the woman we have Just left
could say? But l am amazed that she
should be Miss Seabright. l know she
is a lady by birth. l understood that
she was beautiful and gentle. p
"Oh, Mr.. Harrington" cried Elsie, 81
have been such n foolish girl! She is not
Miss Seabright. l am Miss .Seabright.
Lit was a ridiculous ~stratagem oil
mine. / hate the idea of n betrothal to
a stranger, and desired that you should
take the initiative in breaking off the
match. But believe me, 1 had no knowl-
edge of your infirmities, which could
only be n subject for sympathy to me,
and / beg you to forgive me for placing
that coarse woman in n position in which
she could insult you. Prove it by re,
TnaiDinD tpfth ~ Vnff1 ,a, ,T,u 800.
some refreshments after your journey
The young man bowed, looked at heI
a moment and then replied frankly:
MADAM, l quite appreciate your mo-
tives and entirely forgive you. 1 am
pleased to accept your invitation"
1t was the custom in well arranged
houses Mt that day to send the guests tc
their DON a while before dinner.
Accordingly, Miss Seabright ordered @
servant to show Mr.. Harrington to al
apartment on the upper hoor and retired
to her own room to dress for dinner.
Ten minutes after her entrance int
this apartment the servant brought he
n large bundle and n small note-a few
inches square. She opened the note frs
and read these words:
MY DEAR MISS SEABRIGHr-I have a confession
TO mako. /, also, before l met you, had resolyet
that you should be the one to decline the condi
ton of our fathers wills, intending afterward &c
give you back your share of the property. Con.
sequently | set about devising n scheme, and
reading my school day letters, 1t occurred to me
that no one ever went through SO many accidents
quito unscnthed and unmarried before. knew
that few women would choose to marry a very
hideous man; consequently l concocted a disguise
which ! fancy would make ne repugnant to the
least particular of the fair sex
Allow me to lay Mt your feet my crutches, which
have never needed, thank heaven; my hump
which was a feather pillow; the skull cap, which
did not hide n bald pate, and all my bandages and
patches. The vermilion which adorned my nose
/ have removed with a little water, and though
obtained my invitation TO dinner under false pre-.
lenses, 1 beg to be allowed to pay my respects tc
you in proper person, and to apologize for my
trick, which. after all, dear madam, was only til
for tat
AT first Elsie was u~nreasonably angry,
but her anger did not last long.
They met at dinner, and before they
parted it was quite concluded that they
should carry out the wishes of their pa
rents by agreeing to dine together al
ways.