St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-10-12

For nothing could be sweeter or fairer
or more charming than Cecilia Lakely.
Horace's young sister.
She was mere school girl, to be sure.
but Hnrlburt Bristed admired the type.
An ingenious young girl was to him
the most delightful thing in nature.
And he smiled often. as he took himself
to Mrs. McPherson's hotel, in remem-
brance OF certain warm. shy glances
which had fallen from those doye-Iike
eyes these latter times since he had
been eXerting himself so much in her
brothers behalf. In helping Horace he
was-really wooing in the surest way, If
indirectly, the elusive flower of this
young creatures love.
He was still thinking of Cecilia as he
sat waiting for Mrs. Mcpherson to ap-
pear. He was, indeed, so much en-
crossed in his reveries that he looked
up only when the lady he had come to
see stood close in front of him. She had
entered softly by door at the side of
him. AS he rose little confusedly, she
covered him suddenly with wonderful
smile.
1t was the perfection of a smile. 1t
was brilliant, it was appealing, it was
arch, it was even little sad.
The young WidOw-it was impossible
not to think of her as younger than she
was-stOod there an Instant and then
sank into her chair opposite her visitor.
She begged him to resume his seat. She
seemed to wait. still with that unusual,
that almost harmonious smile, for him
to begin. From her presence. at once
assured and udobrrusive. animated aid
responseful. from her delicate toilet,
there emanated an aroma. as it were,
which fiattered all the senses.
II believe you are Horace Lakely's
great FRIEND said this gracious creature
in a well-mOdulated voice. If the mod
ulatiOnS were somewhat artificial, if it
tone of the voice did not always betray
the same refinement of culture, 1t so
happened that Hurlbert Bristed (albeit
he had the reputation of noticing every
thing did not observe the fact.
The next day Mrs. Lakely awaited
BriSted'S promised visit with eager i'm
patience. Cecilia, looking very lovely
in white dress (Bristed had once re-
marked that she should always wear
white-it was becoming to herr, was sit
ting with her mother, and shot an ex-
pressive glance at the door when it
opened.
"Well. Mr.. Bristed. WE'LL" demanded
Mrs. Lakelv. shave you good news for
me?.. VIII she go away and leave my
boy in peace?"
Cecilia, who had risen and remained
standing, in certain hesitancy, left the
room.
81 don't know that can tell you any
thing very definite, my dear madam"
observed Bristed somewhat slowly.
"Oh, what do you mean? l hope the
wretched person does not refuse to
loosen her hold of HOrace?" cried Mrs.
Lakely.
mo, no. 1t is not that-not at all. Re-
assure yourself. Only" Bristed in
terrupted himself. He began again:
II imagine she will, as you express it,
loosen her hold of Horace. Yes but
: wished to asked you-ahemr'
thing of the self-assured. graceful, lofty
Bristed, Mrs. Lakly would have fancied
that he looked embarrassed. She stared
at him when ne continued:
"Have you any definite reason for
supposing that Mrs. Mcpherson really
intended to marrg Horace?"
"Reallv intended to marry him?"
echoed Mrs. Lakely. "Why. nothing
could be more evident! l thought we
were agreed on that point, Mr.. Bristol"
ION HOrace's being most anxious to
marry Mrs. McPherson-yes," amended
Bristed. "But do not-I am not sure"
do you mean," interjected the poor
lady. holding herself very straight. her
mien, in its outraged maternal pride,
becoming almost majestic, ''that Mrs.
Mcpherson is playing fast and loose
with my son? That she would reject
him at the last moment?"'
That Horace Lakely should marry such
person SMcPherSOn'S widow was horri-
bic enough. But, that being so inclined,
Mrs. Lakely'S darling, her eldest born,
her handsome, privileged son, should
be- subjected to the indignity of re-
fuSal from such source, surely that
was almost more terrible still.
'Oh, my dear Mrs. Lakely, please do
not imagine / would insinuate such
thing" exclaimed Bristed, rather
lamely.
He was Juggling at his mustache, and
Mrs. Lakely was obliged to acknoWl-
edge that he was certainly ill at case.
81 hope you will let me know what
progress you Make" she insisted, feel
ing vaguely helpless.
II will, of course" said Bristed,
getting to his feet.
He seemed relieved in some way that
the interview should be at an end. He
departed with so much precipitancy
that he forgot to leave his respects for
Cecilia.
Altogether Mrs. Lakely could not
make it out. She sighed, and concluded
that men were very queer. She heard
Indirectly twice during the ensuing few
weeks that Hurlburt Bristed had been
seen with Mrs. Mcpherson, who still
remained in town.
According to the combined entreaties
of the entire family, Horace Lakely had
finally consented to flee the temptresS
who had pursued him, and he was away
from home.
elf ever live down this feeling" the
young man wrote at about this time to
his friend, II snail have you, sup
pose, othank for having urged me back
into the path of wisdom. But can tell
you it is hard-desperately hard-stay-
ing away and listening to advice.
can't forget her. Bristed! You're such
cool, reasonable fellow yourself that
you won't be able to understand that
my whole life seems to have bound itself
about this woman"
There was tone throughout the let
ter which testifiep that Horace Lakely
was still good deal of boy. 1t was
somewhat of consolation for Hurlburt
BristOw to think that it was so. At
least it made it somewhat easier for him
to write, I'D answer to that letter. short
time later:
" think it right, without further
delay, to convey to you piece of news
which may probably surprise you. |
don't know that any exploration would
simplify matters. Mrs. Mcpherson and
are to be married next month";