The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-03-10

objections at hrst, but the idea soon recon-
mended itself to her. 1t would be so ro-
mantle, she declared My reasons were
not romantic, however. To be frank, |
had seen too many marriages spoiled by the
meddling interference of lawyers and
guardians to risk inviting it in my own
case When Law comes in at the door,
4 Love flies out at the window; sometimes it
is even picked out. | did not want any
settlements made which might interfere
with my settlements with my creditors and
my own settlement in life. Nor did | care
to expose my most private affairs to the
prying gaze Of an impertinent vulgarian.
/ | 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 |
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
cub of son whom he hoped to see mar
ried to the heiress. | 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 a little,
and could not afford to wait even a few
months. My fortunes were desperate; the
vultures were already circling round my
head. And so | had determined on a
private marriage, and had induced Miss
| Slugg to consent to it.
Our arrangements were simple enough.
On the morning after her twenty first
birthday, Miss Slugg would leave her
uncle's house quietly, and repair to a
church few streets off, where Belinda,
only daughter of the late Oliver Slugg,
Esquire, would be united to the Honorable
George Lympet, second son of the Earl of
Kilproctor. No cards. After the cere-
mony the happy pair would proceed to the
residence of the brides uncle and receive
his congratulations on the auspicious event,
prior to starting on their honeymoon.
Thus all the loathsome preliminaries would
be avoided, the sordid inquisition into ways
and means, the distressing family dissen-
sions, the degrading precautionary measure
of settlements On the whole it was a
clever little plan, and one which, venture
to think, reflects no small credit on me-
But | was too true Lympet to take
such a serious step without first seeking
the sanction of the head of our house
Three days before the date fixed for our
wedding left London, and travelled down
to Rockborough 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
a necessity. had the marriage expenses
and the cost of the honeymoon to provide
for. | felt-perhaps | was over scrupu-
lous-that it would not be right to begin
drawing on my wife's resources during
period supposed to be dedicated to romance;
that it was too early to commence the seri-
Gus business of life. Therefore | had
decided to ask my father for loan, hoping
that, when he perceived | was about to
attain an honorable independence, and was
never likely to trouble him again, he would
make me present Of the sum required.
And as the event showed l was not mis-
taken.
1t was after dinner, when my sisters had
left us together over our wine. that 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 earth
did you manage to become acquainted with
this young person who has the misfortune
to be called Slugg?"
at is her misfortune, as you say, sir,
replied evasively, "but not her fault. Think
how terrible it must be to have to answer
to the name of Slugg, and pity her.
"Of course pity her" he said quietly,
"but really do not think could bring
myself to know any one called-slugg,
Pah |"
II do not ask you to, sir, | returned. !
81 do not wish you to receive Miss Slugg,
but Mrs. Lympet. By marriage she will
be justly entitled to name that kings
might envy"
Exactly. And you propose to bestow
this kiugly name upon Slugg. Really,
old Simon, first earl, would turn in his
grave could he hear you"
Judging by our revered ancestors CON
duct in life, l remarked dryly, she would
be only too willing toturn in his grave were
anything to be gained by it. In this mat
ter am acting as he would do were ho in
my place
"Indeed? ?" said my father, looking reas-
sured. at is not foolish love affair."
then?'
q am not so much in love as to have
forgotten prudence. Love is said to be
blindi my eyes are open"
"And this Miss Slugg is really a prize
worth winning?"
''she has heart of gold p
Ny fathers face fell considerably.
"And,n continued, ''she has hundred
pounds"
My father frightened up at once.