Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1893-08-26
A BRIDAL TRIP.

| talnly never see 80 again, but the glamour
of Cupid's influence seemed for the time
being to have obliterated all considerations
of age, and the happy couple were billing
and cooling" in the most approved style.
"Oh, not for long time yet" said the
lady coyly, calling up most becomir Y
blush to her sallow features.
"Shall we say next week." suggested her
lover, with all an ardent swain's impa-
thence.
Good gracious, mol Next year. more
likely" with little laugh.
"What? Wait whole year2 Not me-"
was the emphatic if ungrammatical reply
And while the point is being argued let me
briefly introduce the hero and heroine of
my story.
Place aux damesl Miss Eliza Reed, only
daughter of village parson, had been an
orphan for some 20 years, during which
time she had resided in the town of Battle
moor, occupying a small villa in the out
skirts. Here, with one maidservant, she
lived comfortably on an income of some 200
year, derived from the savings of the de-
ceased parson, her father.
Mr.. George Grant, the gentleman whose
impatience she is trying to curb, having
devoted 80 years of his life to the pushing
road, has recently retired from business,
and purchased a small place in Battlemoor,
where, meeting Miss Reed at one of the
small and early" gatherings for which the
elite of the place are famed, he straightway
fell in love with her-or, as the gossips as
serted, with her fortune. For the ex-oil
and colorman had only amassed few thou
sands, which gave him a yearly income
10 hot ~ ha nd
it is possible that the increased comforts to
be derived from union of resources had
quite as much to do with the engagement
as the union of hearts," which is supposed
to influence such arrangements.
"Then that's settled" remarked Mr..
Grant at length, after some 10 minutes dis
cussion; "thd first Tuesday in September,
that will give you nearly two months for
preparation. And, now, where shall we go
for our honeymoon"
"Oh. what a man you are, to be surer'
exclaimed the lady, with another successful
blush.
well, we must go somewhere, / sup
pose" was the matter of fact rejoinder. II
think a week or two at Margate would be
just the thing"
"Margate that vulgar placer Miss
Reed was leader of the genteel set in Bat
tlemoor. why, you must be joking,
George. No. Let us have quiet week in
Paris, away from everybody. Everything
is so cheap in France, you know, and we
do not want to begin eXtravagantly, do wef"
George Grant was rather staggered. He
had always heard that Paris was the very
reverse of a cheap place to stay in. In his
heart he would much have preferred the
homely if vulgar Margate, and he offered
some faint opposition to the plan, but it
was of no use He had had his way about
the date of the marriage; his fiancee secured
hers about the locale Of the honeymoon,
and before the loving couple separated thai
evening it was agreed that the first week OF
two of their welded life should be spent in
the French capital.
1t was the morning of the third day OF
the honeymoon, and Mr.. and Mrs. Grant
were seated at breakfast at their hotel, LioL
dor, a hotel in the BatignOlles quarter
A shrewd business man, George Grant haG
made one or two inquiries from frienc
who was used to continental travelling, ano
had put up at third rate but fairly com
Portable and very economical hostelry.
mot bad place, this, my dear" he re
marked, as he helped himself to anOthe'
outlet.
"And really not expensive" returned his
wife, With prudent satisfaction. snow, we
will do little shopping this morning, and
you had better let me carry the purse
George, dear. 1t looks so stupid for man
to have to pay for everything"
Rather reluctantly her husband consent
ed. but with the old business habits, he ex
amined the contents of the purse befort
handing it over.
There you are, Lizzie-there's four fvers
and four louis. Mind you make them give
you the right money for the notes-that is,
il you have to change them. They art
worth more than gold, you know"
''Oh, / will take care Of that" was the
reply. Though don't suppose ! shall
want to spend more than 2 or 3 louis. "
Mentally, George Grant rather doubted
this estimate of the cost Of morning's
shopping. But it turned out TO be correct.
They entered numerous magasins, but
the high prices Of every article offered foI
sale quite alarmed the prudent couple, and
after several hours wandering, samPling
and pricing. they had only purchased some
20 francs worth Of things, chiefly presents
for friends in BattlemOor.
Then came lunch at a Palais Royal res
taurant-2 francs a head, win compris et
pain a discretion And then, feeling rather
tired, Mr.. and Mrs. Grant took Batignoiies
omnibus, which landed them within short
distance of their hotel They had left the
vehicle and were approaching the Lion
dor, when the lady suddenly exclaimed;
''The purse-I have lost itP
Lost so Nonsense; feel In your pocket
you had IL ia the bus just this minute"
But poor Lizzie explored her pocket In
Vain-the purse was gone, and she at once
took refuge in the relief OF her sex-a food
OF tears.
Here, don't make show Of yourself in
the street." said her husband somewhat
brslsquely; Feome on 10 the hotel"
Arrived at the Lion dor, Mr.. Grant TO
ported his loss 10 the proprietor, who at
once advised an application TO the police Of
the reimbursement. But here all the Obsti-
macy OF the BritOn came 70 the front. Il
syas Mr.. Grants opinion that the police OF
an and every country were rank idiots -
far A. detection OF crime was concerned
He believed in advertising his loss with
reward.
.sTbis Is how look at Il" he said dog
eediy. That purse Is either lost or stolen.
III it Is Lost, there Is just chance that an
honest person will find IL n 20, an ad'
-. Efua ~ l. Efnlau rEa