News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1890-03-20

union. Neither Miss Julia, who livet
in rather Strengthened circumstances Il
home, nor her parents, who wanted
their daughter off Their hands, had any
objection to offer; and so day, scarce
ly two months distant, was named fol
the ceremony.
But in that short period an event oc
Cured which made it necessary to post
pone the wedding for some time
Lady Hunter, mother of the bride
elect, caught serious chill at the
Duchess of Bodmin's ball, from the
effects of which she died In forty-eight
hours 1t was notorious that the de-
ceased lady ha not lived on the best
possible terms with Sir Mcpherson
but the latter was so punctilious about
s.form," that he would not hear of his
daughters marriage taking place for g
tweivemonth after her ladyship's death.
And Charlie, though vowing that he
could never endure TO wait so long,
was fain to submit to the baronets de-
cision.
However, he found time pass very
much more quickly than he had expect
ed. Nine months out of the twelve
soon flew by-and he was quite start
led one morning to realise that he was
within three months of his wedding
day, and yet he had not begun TO make
any preparations. The first thing, of
course, to do was to secure the services
of ''best man." He decided to ask
his intimate friend, Arthur Staveley,
to undertake the office.
Acting on this resolve, he went to
Staveley's chambers in the Albany,
that same afternoon. He was lucky
enough to find his friend at home, and
alone.
81 say, Arthur" he began, 81 want
you to do me favor. I'm going to be
married to Miss Hunter, you know, in
three months time. Will you act as
my best MANI"
Certainly, old fellow! l shall be
delighted to assist at your execution
But come, seat yourself in that arm
chair, take a cigar from the box on
your left, let me mix you brandy
and-soda, and then we will have a little
chatl"
Powell declined the brandy-and- soda,
but he helped himself to cigar. which
he lit with great slowness and delibera-
ton. Then he said gravely:-
EsNNa,rsi~es e,aa getting -eettlea a q
rather serious affiTfr for 4 feffov-fsfssf
it, Arthur"
The other laughed. ~ believe you"
he replied. at is no light thing to
give up the independence of bachelor
hood. They say, by the by-though
perhaps / ought not to repeat it to you
that Miss Hunter has will of her
own-nct to mention a temper. L
wonder with sly g ance at PowelD
''whether she would have shown it had
she seen you on the river, at Richmond,
the other day with little Una Tran
buryI"
Oh rlie coloured, and started:
81 wasn't-at least, how did you
know about it?" he exclaimed.
al passed you on the water, my dear
fellow. Only | was not so wholly en-
crossed with my fair companion as to
have no eyes for any one else!"
"Well, if | choose to do the civil to
Miss Tranbury, and take her out for a
row, there's no harm in it, suppose?"
retorted Powell, in a tone of annoy
ance.
E'Not the least in the world, my dear
fellow! BY the way, how long have
you known her?"
~ met her down at Richmond about
six weeks ago. / find that her father
and mine used to be great friends in
days gone by"
"Ah, see! She's a nice girl, but
awfully poor. She and her mother
have nothing to live on but the latter's
pension as a generals widow; other
wise | should have tried my fortune
with Miss Una, 1 think, but I'm zoo
hard up to marry anything but an
heiress?"
Powell flung the stump of his cigar
into the fender, and rose to go.
E'Whati off so soon?" exclaimed his
friend. "What's the matter with you
to-day, Charlie?"
''Nothing! only / have number of
things to do this afternoon. 'Au rev DIR.
/ may count on you for my best man,
then?
"Of counsel And when you next
come, hope you'll not be in quite
such a hurry"
Powell made no reply to this obser-
vation-probably did not even hear it,
being by that time halfway down
stairs. And Stavely, having mixed
himself another brandy-and-soda, won
dered to him elf what the devil had
come to his friend.
One evening, about a week later,
Stavely called in at Powell's on his
way back from the club, and found
his friend playing ''loo" with some
ha f-doZen companions. Refusing an
invitation to join the party, he helped
himself to cigar, and sat down to
watch the play, as he had often done
in Powell's rooms before; for the latter
was fond of cards, and frequently held
small gambling reunions.
On the present occasion the host,
who had evidently drank rather too
much champagne, was playing in a
manner which made Stayeley open his
eyes; he was always accustomed to see
him play bold game, but on this oc-
casion he was inexcusably rash, and
was losing heavily. His stock of
cash was already swallowed up, and
LOUIS bearing his signature were
flying about on every side.
Now, Staveley had too much know
ledge of the world to demonstrate with
his friend in the presence of the other
players; so he sat quietly smoking, and
did not speak a word. lie made up
his mind, however, to stay until they
had all gone.
At length-that is to say, about 3
a.m.-the party agreed to break up,
and, having received checks from
Powell in redemption of his LOUIS,
they took their departure.
Directly they had gone Stavely
seized his opportunity.
81 say, Charlie" he observed, "you
were playing devilish rashly tonight.
You must have lost no endl"
"About three thou'," was the reply
and Powell laughed a careless laugh.
'Really, it's nothing to laugh at"