Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-03-16
PART Ill.

The evening before his departure Mr..
Adrian invited the Rev. Thomas Charlton
to dine with him. He had made Mr..
Charlton's acquaintance at Christ Church,
and when the living of Fairmile fell
vacant he presented it to his old college
| friend. Though no arrangement had
arisen between squire and parson, during
the last few years there had been much
less social intercourse than at one time
| When calling at the vicarage few weeks
| before this, Mr. Adrian had communicated
with some difidence to Mr.. Charlton and
his wife the tidings that he was contem-
plating marriage, and they were both over
joyed to learn the fact.
There was, of course, no ceremony be-
tween the old college friends, and when
Mr.. Charlton received a request in the
morning to dine at the manor house that
evening he at once accepted the invitation,
and sent a message to his curate to inform
( the members of an industrial society in
the course of formation that the meeting
in connection with it, which was to have
been held that night, would be postponed
till the next.
1t was easy for Mr.. Charlton to perceive
during dinner a change for the better in
his hosts manner, which reminded him
more than once of the early days of their
friendship. Mr.. Adrian was also reiuyen-
ated by the wig, so that the clergyman
was, on the whole, slightly bewIldered by
the new character in which his patron ap-
peared to him. 1t was only natural that
Mr.. Adrian should be elated, because now,
on the eve of his departure, he did not
doubt that fortune, which had excited his
hopes in a manner so singular, would also
guide him to their realization, bringing
him happiness far beyond the highest
expectations of his past life
After dinner Mr.. Adrian informed his
guest that he was going away next MORN
ing with the object of bringing about if
possible the important matter of which he
had recently spoken to him. Il hope"
added Mr.. Adrian, that when next see
you there will be reason for you to con-
graduate me-"
So you are off to-morrow-Celehs in
search of wife, laughed the Vicar; "a
envy you. You must feel, and indeed YOU
look, young again. | trust" continued the
Vicar in more earnest tone, that YOU
| will make a choice which Will greatly con-
tribute to your happiness and comfort.
There are many ladies now"
Il have already chosen interrupted
Mr.. Adrian; there is only one lady in the
world whom can desire 10 be my wife,"
The Vicar looked at his host in surprise.
1t was only about two weeks before that he
had heard Mr.. Adrian express with much
difiidence the difficulties he expected to en-
counter in finding suitable partner, and
he had not been from home since then. 1t
was scarcely possible, the Vicar thought,
that Mr.. Adrian could meanwhile have
fallen in love with any of the young ladies
in the parish, not certainly because they
were destitute of attractions, but because
he had seen them all grow up from their
Infancy Besides, Mr.. Adrian had just told
him that he was about to leave home in
connection with his marriage.
Let us have cigar, Charlton" said
Mr.. Adrian, noticing his guests perplexed
look. They then went to the library to-
gether, and, standing by the fire, Mr..
Adrian told the astonished Vicar all about
the dreams and visions that had recently
been haunting him. Mr.. Charlton was a
thoroughly practical man, with no super
stition about him and very little imagina-
ton. His surprise kept him silent for sew
eral minutes after Mr.. Adrian finished
speaking. The Wears eyes were bent