Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-12-29


you complain, you cannot refuse to give way
to her," ..
Chris sighed, and bowed her head in sign OF
assent. Certain injuries are irreparabie, but
none are-or at all events none ought to be-
absolutely objectionable. 1t did not seem
likely that Miss Ramsden would die; but II
she said she was sorry, ard if she thought
she was going to die, there was obviously no
thing for it but to capitulate.
"And now" continued Mr.. Compton, taking
| much inward credit to himself for having
carried his point at so small an expenditure
Of breath, perhaps you will be so kind as to
| tell me who Mr.. Richardson is, what he means
/ by his impudent assertion that you are en-
| gagged to be married to him, and whether it
was in order..to meet him that you left Eng
land2"
Mr.. Compton, albe;s solicitor, may have
had some knowledge of the methods employed
by the other branch of the legal profess
sion, and understood how to get
at the truth by cross examination.
Ten minutes had not elspsed be-
| fore he had extorted from Chris not only all
that she knew about Val Richardson, but also
the unlucky fact that she had encountered
both Mr.. Ellacombe end Mr.. Severne in the
course of the day. he shook his head and
said It was an awkward business-very awk-
ward indeed. Like Val, lie had little conf
dence in the ability or the inclination OF those
two young men to keepa secreS> "And what
| ever else may be doubtful" he concluded,
"one thing is as plain as can be- namely, that
you are in this Mr.. Richardson's powe<.
don't know whether you have realized thatF~
CHOW in his powerp What can he do to
| me?" asked Chris.
"What can he do to your Really Chris
tina but suppose all young women are
perfect idiots Don't you understand that
what he can do is just thisp He can say that
you ran away to meet him at Paris, and that
/ pursued you and caught you up just in
time to save you from flying to Jericho or
some such place with him. And he can
bring pretty strong evidence in support of
his assertion, too"
SCI don't think he would behave in such a
way" Chris said.
~ sincerely hope not hut from what you
tell me Of him should imagine that it was
well within the bounds of possibility. In
fact, ] may as well tell you plainly that,
though he appears to be q thoroughly unde-
sirabie and unsuitable husband for you, /
believe that the only thing can do in the
circumstances is to sanction an engagement
"a conditional engagement-between you"
81 don't wish to be engaged to him." said
Chris, slowly.
81 am sorry to hear it, becauseI can see no
alternative course open to you. Engage
ments do not invariably and necessarily en-
tail marriages, and no doubt it will be in my
power to insist upon long delay. But per-
haps l had better speak to the young man
himself Now, Christina, if you will go up
stairs and pack your clothes, you will find
me ready for you when it is time to start"
Mr.. Compton stepped out into the court
yard, whore Vel was smoking his cigarette,
motioned to that young gentleman to seat
himself upon bench, and said:
"Now, Mr.. Richardson, / am at your serv-
ice. You state that you are engaged to my
cousin. What is your income? What ara
your prospects? And to what member Of
your family can you refer me for those par
ticulars which should naturally wish to re-
ceive about total stranger who makes such
a statement to meP"
Val, with slight smile, deplored the cir
cumstance that he was an orphan. Further
more, he admitted frankly that he had no
near relatives, that he had no prospects
worth mentioning, and that his income was
precarious. Still he was not without hope
that something would turn up. He under
stood that Miss Compton was tolerably well
, provided for, and although he admitted that
, he was not entitled to press for anvimmedi-
ate marriage, he could not see his way to re-
signing all claim upon her. ''Taking every
, thing into consideration, said he, ''it would
really be best for her own sake to let people
!, know Of our engagement"
! "Exactly So" agreed Mr.. Compton, dryly
81 thought we should hear that
argument before long. Well, Mr..
Richardson, as I was saying TO my
cousin just now, We have practically no OPP
ton but toaccept your terms. should, how
ever, recommend you to be satisfied with
! what We are prepared to concede. Let it be
= understood that if, at the expiration of an
interval of time which we need not at pres
~ emit Ak precisely-say eighteen months hence
a yon are able to show that you have reason
a able means and prospects, and if your con-
duct during that interval has been STEADY
nd he
place; If otherwise, it shall be abandoned
a ON proceeding Of course upon the assump-
ton that my cousins escapade will become
4 known and that her friends will think she
contemplated runaway marriage which was
prevented by me. Disagreeable, but endura.
n BILE. If, contrary to my expectation, the
: secret should be kept, you would be able. in
the event Of our dismissing yeu,-to hold 6
:, sort of threat over our heads; only you
- must bear in mind that our course would Their
= be plain and easy. We should simply tell the
truth, and we should be believed. Everybody
a would be aware that you had been engaged
n to my cousin for a considerable length o.
! time, and our reasons for breaking off the
a engagement would be at everybody's service
" don't know whether make myself clear2"
d Perfectly clear, thank You" answered Val
4 laughing. "You don't seem to entertain
d very fattering opinion Of me, Mr.. Compton,
" ar know next to nothing about you," re
turned the lawyer, shortly. eff you carr
l. about my good opinion, dare say you ear
8 earn it,"
ia aft shall be my endeavor to do So" Val de
i clared, with due gravity. "I am going II
@ London Immediately, and suppose ma.
d take 1t that shall be permitted to call upoI
at Mise Compton as often as please9'
IN "Oh, certainly. That is, as often as she ma.
If please. / think you heard me mention tina
D. her aunt, Miss Ramsden, is seriously ILL 81
ID that she is likely to be good deal occupied.
le Val promised that he would neither demant
st nor expect more than Miss Compton was in
., clined to give him, which sounded magnani
at nous and drew few words Of commentator
n from the lawyer. Mr.. Compton had no inten
u tlon In the the world of allowing his cousin
a throw herself away upon penniless advent
m nrar: hut that an enhancement must ha sub