Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1890-08-07

Pherson can scarcely be called any thing
lelse-- dirt with an adventures as much
as you like, my dear boy, II you feel sure
enough Of yourselfi but be ve.y careful
to stop--a long way OIL OF matrimony.
That's what a wise man does, my boy
Poor Lakely with his elbows on his
knees, and his hands supporting his
head, sat staring at the figures Of the
carpet
'Confound Ill you always had wisdom
enough TO fit out an army, Bristed, he
growled. ITS no effort for you 10 keep
out Of scrapos. You couldn't get into
one II you tried. You're SO doucodly
cold-bloodcd.
When IL dawned upon Mrs. Lakoly
that her son might unexpectedly DO on
the point OF listening to reason, the
poor lady's joy burst forth in touching
gratitude TO Horace's friend. But it
was short-lived Joy. At the end Of a
fortnight she came to Bristed, pale with
agitation, and communicated the dire
intelligence that Mrs. Mcpherson had
appeared In person on the scene; that
she was following Horace up.
81 suppose she feels that the boy has
been slipping from her-odious personw
exclaimed Mrs LakelY waxing bitter
in her righteous indignation. 1T Is
too shocking, the vulgar rwardmess of
such people do not fancy that sho
really cares for Horace, you know 1t
is his monoy-that iS what she wants to
secure. She knows tho boy has just
come into his grandfather's property.
And she is poor; they say, though she
lives with an appearance OF luxury, that
she is absolutely impecunious. Her
husband, 1t would seem, left her moth
ing whatever"
Il imagine there is no doubt about
that, " said Bristed.
And then Mrs Lakely came to her
point Would Mr. Brlsted go to this
''person" and try to convince her that
the family strenuously objected to the
proposed marriage, and that every thing
would be done to bring It to nadght?
Would he try to persuade her TO give
Horace up, to relinquish her hold OF
young fellow-a mere boy-much her
junior, who ought not to be thinking as
yet of matrimony under any circum-
stances? Would he appeal to her good
feeling, If she had any? Would he
my dear Mrs. Lakely, any thing to
oblige you, but don't know
"oh, don't say So interrupted the
poor lady. II have such confidence in
your ability to straighten matters out
for us.
A day or two later this conversation
resulted in a visit from Bristed TO the
hotel where Mrs. Mcpherson was tenn
porarily registered
1t was not in this young mans nature
to look forward with much relish TO the
interview He felt that he had before
him something extremely distasteful.
1t is even possible that he was inclined
to take some credit to himself when he
reflected upon the trouble he was at to
oblige his friends family and TO keep
the boy himself from piece of folly he
should spent the rest of his life in regret
ting. But in another way he accounted
himself repaid for any thing he might
do, even before it was done. For moth
ing could be sweeter or fairer or more
charming than Cecilia Lakely. Horace's
young sister. She was mere school
girl, to be sure, but Hurlburt 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. McPhersons
hotel in remembrance of certain warm,
shy glances which had fallen from those
dove-lilSe 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 |
snrest ~ey, If Indirectly, tho elusive |
flower Of this young creatures love.
lie was still thinking OF Cecilia as he |
sat waiting for Mrs. Mcpherson to APP |
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 won
derful 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
there an instant and then
sunk in 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 unobtrusive, animated and
from her delicate toilet, there
an aroma, as it were, which
battered all the senses.
II believe you are Horace Lakely's
great friend, said this gracious Great
ure, in a well-modulated voice. II the
we're somewhat artificial.
II 1t were possible TO surmise that the
natural tones OF the voice did not al
ways betray the same refinement Of
il so happened that Hubert
Bristed albeit he had the reputation of
every thing did not observe
he fact
The next day Mrs. Lakely awaited
Bristed's promised visit with eager i'm
patience. Cecilia, looking very lovely in
! white dress (}risted had once re-
marked that she should always wear
was becoming to her) was sit
ing with her mother, and shot an ex-
,ressiye glance at the door when it
'pened.
well, Mr.. Bristed, we'll" demanded
'Irs. Lakely, 'have you good news for
ne? VIII she go away and leave my ,
10Y in peace?"
Cecilia, who had risen and remained
landing, in certain hesitancy, left the !
Dom.
Il dom know that can tell you any
hing very definite, my dear madam" ,
bserved Bristed some what slowly.
''Oh. what do you mean? hope the
fretched person does not refuse to
oosen he- hold of Horace?" cried Mrs.
sahely.
'No, no. 1t is not that-not at all
'eassure yourself Only =" Bristed in
errupted himself He began again:
i imagine she will, as you express it.
Dosen her hold Of Horace. Yes-but-
wished to ask you-aheml'
II It had been possible to fancy such
hing Of the self-assured, graceful. lofty
'risted, Mrs. Lakely would have fan
led that he looked embarrassed. She
IA. 4. ]