Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-01-19

known. But she had already spoken, and
l had already heard, and | spared her
blushed by remaining quiet, hoping they
would go away without burdening my
conscience with any further weight of ill
gotten information. l could not now
escape without being seen by them the
most could do was to feign sleep, to pro-
vide agains possible discovery.
"He is so ridiculously fat" said Mrs
GAYLORD, who was evidently on very famil-
lar terms with her daughter, "that every
body will laugh at you for marrying him.
Charles PuddiDghead is just as rich, and
much better looking, and is dying for you y
"Why, mamma. how shameful for you
to speak of Mr.. Cartwright in that way
What you find fault with only makes him
more attractive to me. | have always in
tended to marry fat man. Charles Pud.
diLghead is no larger than a well-grown
sparrow. Fat men are always good
natured aud one can feel during the
storms of life that one is anchored to some
thing substantial that the first rough wind
of sorrow or misfortune will not blow away
| despise lean men,"
could scarcely restrain my laughter at
this unique confession. l ought, perhaps
to have been angry, for | myself am lean
almost to emaciation but Miss Gaylord's
views were too deliciously droll to wound
my sensibilities.
The ladies finally went away, and after
waiting until they were some distance
away, went back to the hotel
l meant to tell Cartwright a part at
least of what l had heard. But he had
latterly grown somewhat sensitive on the
subject of his obesity, and l went up to my
room after supper to mediate upon the
best way in which to give him the benefit
Of what | had heard, without disclosing
too much or the exact manner in which !
had acquired my information. An hour
or two later | went to his room, but he
was not there, and | did not see him until
morning.
walton" he exclaimed, grasping my
hand with painful warmth, Congratulate
me. Florence has promised to be mine u
Il congratulate you from the bottom of
my heart" 1 said 81 am sure you will be
happy"
In my surprise at the suddenness of the
announcement / forgot all about the con-
versation had overheard on the beach
which, of course, was now of no conse-
quence. The lovers were quite as much
absorbed in each other as lovers usually
are, and was left to a certain extent to my
own devices. ! utilized my opportunity
by making some sketches which l had
planned, but had up to this time been toe
lazy to execute.
A few days after the announcement OF
his engagement Cartwright was called
away from Cliffdale. o. urgent business
He went Immediately, promising to re-
turn in two weeks.
My vacation lasted somewhat longer
than l had originally intended. | was
still at the hotel when the two weeks OF
Cartwrights expected absence had elapsed.
The Gaylords had been away a week
visiting some friends, but had returned to
the hotel, where they expected to remain
until September. When Cartwright had
been away two weeks l received from him
the following letter:
Ny Desr Walton: / shall be detained here a
week or two longer than / expected. / could
sooner, but am preparing surprise for Flor
eLce and my other friends. You will hardly
guess the nature of it, but you will open your
eyes when you see what 1t is. Don't say any
surprise to the others Yours, etc.,
D. CARTWRIGHT.
There was nothing in this mysterious
communication that would afford clue to
the nature of the projected surprise l
said nothing to Miss Gaylord about the
letter. Cartwright himself kept her in
formed of his movements.
The last two weeks of my vacation
passed pleasantly enough. A day or two
before l left Cliffdale | received the fol-
lowing note from Cartwright:
Dear Walton: Will be down on the o'clock
express. Arrange it SO that can meet you alone
with Florence and her mother. Leave word
with the clerk what room you are in. Don't let
them know you expect me. Yours,
CARTWRIGHT.
More mysterious, and no clew to unravel
it. As fortune would have it, | had re-
ceived by express that morning portfolio
of etchings and engravings which had
purchased for certain house had built
for certain young woman (already men,
tioned) who was expected to return from
Europe in few weeks. By some mistake
they had been sent to me at the seaside
/ invited the ladies down to my sitting
room at o'clock to look at the engravings,
and left word at the clerks desk that Mr..
Cartwright would find US there.
The ladies came promptly. They exam
ined the pictures and criticised them with
a rare good taste, for they had both trav-
eled widely, and were familiar with art
and the relative merit of artists.
At quarter past s heard quick step,
which sounded somewhat familiar, pass
along the hall and stop at my door, at
which there was knock.
"Come inn / exclaimed.
The door was opened, and gentleman
stood in the doorway tall, symmetrical
young man, without an ounce of superhu.
Gus flesh upon him, attired in a faultlessly
fitted suit of gray tweed. The ladies and
| looked at him for moment in puzzled
curiosity; there was something familiar
about him, though he was evidently a
stranger. There was no sign of recogni-
ton on the part of any one, nor could
imagine who he was until he spoke.
WELL" he exclaimed, az thought ]
would surprise you"
The wish was father to the thought, fol
up to that time we had not shown any
signs of surprise.
1t was Cartwright. He beamed upon Us
IN an ecstacy OF pleasure, and laughed
gleefuily at our evident amazement as we
realized who it was.
Meanwhile watched the effect of his
changed appearance upon Florence. She
had started at the sound of his voice
When the fact dawned fully upon her that
the slender boy before her was but few
weeks before the man whom she loved she
turned as pale as though she had seen q
ghost.
Mamma, she said, in voice scarcely
audible, take me to my room. The gen
tlemen will excuse u.s."
"Why, Florencew answered her mother
''you viii be better in moment. Mr.
Cartwright's return was so sudden. Yor
should have prepared u.s." she said, with
note of reproach, addressing Cartwright
Take me to my room, please urged