The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-06-24

she was not YET or ago, ana 5ne hau seen
little of socicty of any sort. Her father
dying soon after sho left school, ahe had
not entered tho world till she was 30, and
her aunt, with whom she lived, had no
very grand acquaintance. My rank was
likely to stand mo In bettor stead with her
than with Miss Merrick, who had more
than one eldest son lowering in her train.
Above all, Miss Slugg possessed R100, 600
and Miss MerriclS only ESQ, 900. That set
tied it, Al had made up my mind to
dispose of share in the Lympet name, it
was my obvious duty to get the highest
available price for 1t. My honorable pride
would not allow me to depreciate its value
by taking ESQ, 900 when could get R10o,-
o0o And SO decided ON Miss Slugg.
need not dwell upon my courtship, the
course of which was as smooth and I'M
troubled as a canals. 1t was also about
as dull. For three months it flowed pla-
cidly on, and then proposed and was &C
copied. But we kept our engagement SO.
cret and I even persuaded Miss Slugg to
consent to private marriage. She had
wondered at my request and had made a
few slight objections at first, but the idea
soon recommended itself to her. 1t would
DO so romantic she declared. My reasons
were not romantic however. To be frank,
had seen too many marriages spoiled by
tho meddling interference of lawyers and
guardians to risk inviting 1t in my own
case.
When law comes in of the door, love
flies out at the window. Sometimes 1t is
even kicked out. did not want any set
Elements made which might interfere with
my settlement with my creditors and my
own settlement in life. Nor did l care to
expose my most private affairs to the pry-
ing gaze of an impeachment vulgarian. l
refer to Miss Slugg's uncle, her fathers
younger brother. The two Sluggs had
made their money together in some way
connected with tallow-I have never cared
to enter into the revolving details-and l
knew that he would be unwilling to let
the fortune which he had helped to make
pass entirely out Of the family, for he had
q cub of son whom he hoped to see mar
ried to the hciress might count upon
his opposition as certain, and my debts
were heavy enough to make an excellent
weapon in his hands. Perhaps he might
at least persuade his niece TO wait little,
and l could not afford to wait even a fow
months. My fortunes were desperate. The
vultures were already circlng round my
head. And SO / had determined on pri-
vate marriage and had induced Miss Slugg
to consent to it,
Our arrangements were simple enough.
On the morning after her twenty-frst
birthday Miss .Slugg would leave her UNI
cle's house quietly and repair to q church
a few streets off, where Belinda, only
daughter Of the late Oliver Slugg, Esq,
would be united to the Hon. George Lynn
pet, second son of the Earl Of Kilproctor.
No cards. After the ceremony the happy
pair would proceed to the residence of the
brides uncle and receive his congratula-
tions on the suspicious eventprior to start
ing on their honeymoon. Thus all the
loathsome preliminaries would be avoided,
the sordid inquisition into ways and
means, tho distressing family discussions,
the degrading precautionary measure of
settlements. On the whole, it was clever
little plan and one which, l venture to
think, rejects no small credit on me.
But I was too true q Lympet to take
such serious step without seeking first
the sanction Of the head Of our house.
Three days before the date fixed for our
wedding left London and travelled down
to Rockbcrough Towers to beg my fathers
blessing and borrow little money, which
was Of even more importance to me- The
blessing was luxury, but the money was
Necessity. i had the marriage expenses
and tho cost o4 the honeymoon to provide
for. I felt--perhaps was overscrupulous
that it would not bs right to begin
drawing on my wife's resources during
period supposed to be dedicated to ro-
NANCE that it was too early to commence
the serious business of life.
Therefore 1 had decided to ask my IA
Their for loan, hoping that when he per-
ceived was about to attain an honorable
Independence and was never likely to
trouble him again he would make me a
present Of tho sum required. And, as the
event showed, was not mistaken.
1t was after dinner, when my sister had
left us together over our wine, and made
my confession and informed my father
that was about to marry Miss Slugg, the
charming young heiress He did not re-
ceive the news with any enthusiasm.
.'Slugg!' he said, raising his eyebrows.
what horrible name! How on Garth
did you manage to become acquainted
with this young person who has the mis-
fortune to be called Sluggs'
1T is her misfortune, as you say, sir, "
/ replied ovasively, but not her fault.
Think how terrible it must be to havo to
answer to tho name Of Slugg and pity
her"
''Of course pity her." he replied quiet
~, "but really do not think could bring
myself to know any one called-Slugg.
Pahn'
II do not ask you to, sir returned.
II do not wish you to receive Miss Slugg,
but Mrc LyInpct. By marriage she will
be justly erssitled to namo that kings
might envy"
Exactly. And you propose to bestow
this kingly naIno upon Slugg. Really,
old Simon, the first earl, would turn in
his grave could he hear you. ~
Judging by our reyercd ancestors con-
duct in life, Remarked dryly, she would
be only too willing to turn in his grave
wero anything to be gained by it. In this
matter 1 am acting as he would do were no
in my place.
Indeed said my father, looking reas-
sured 1t is not foolish love affair,
then?'
Il am not so much in love as to have
forgotten prudence. Love is said to be
blind. My cyer arc OPEN
And this Miss Slugg is really prizo
worth winningS"
She has heart of gold.
My fathers face fell considerably.
And" l continued, "she has e10o,-
Ooo."
My father frightened up at once.
''dor parents are dead, and she has no
brothers or sisters"
My father began to smile pleasantly.
''Her only relatives arc her unclo and
his family, with whom / mean to quarrel
on our wedding day
NY father rubbed his hands together.