The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1894-05-10


&ions to its going on indefinitely.
But what have l ever DONE" he
askedhimself, miserably, that l should
get married."
Not in love with his betrothed? Of
course he was. Lulu was the dearest
girl in the world, and, even by unap-
preeiative outsiders, acknowledged to
be the brightest and prettiest girl in
Ballingwood. After a year or so he
would be quite content to marry her
and settle down into model hus band.
But he never thought of speedy mar
riage when he engaged himself to her
never! Why, man alive, he had just,
last month, completed his law course;
and before that he had put in four
years of severe labor at his university
If ever he were going have fling in
his life, now was his chance. If ever
mandeserved good time after all that
grind--he was the man. If ever he
felt more like letting himself out than
he did this summer-Oh! confound it!
How had he got into this hasty affair
anyway? Looking back, Harry couldn't
in the least remember Lulu had been
as passive in the matter as himself
AS nearly as he could recall it, their
respective families had with malicious
malicious in the light of Harrys sub
sequent feelings-and understandable
haste settled the final arrangements as
soCn as their several consents had been
obtained.
''Well, l suppose we must not keep
the young people waiting too long"
remarked Papa Boulton, facetiously.
And Mamma Boulton chimed in: 81
really cannot have Lulu ready before
September"
September! Harry groaned within
himself He had thought vaguely of
couple of years.
1T would be nice to go to Europe
together, wouldn't it?" suggested Har-
RVS sister; land September ought to
be nice month there"
So the deed was done Before Harry
had quite grasped the situation, he
found himself the possessor of a house
and grounds, both of which required
Immediate and close attention. The
worst of it was, that there seemed no
help for it. To explain his state of
mind to anyone but Lulu would be to
involve himself in unsympathetic ridi-
Guile. To expose it to her was out of
the question. He wondered if any fell
low had ever before been in so absurd
and pitiable position-that of being
hurried into a marriage against his
will. There was no reason on earth
why they should be married now. Both
were young enough TO wait Again,
there was no reason why they should
not be- There was plenty of money
and the union was suitable. Not
1oop-hole presented itself.
As the days passed on in the madden
ingly swift manner they take on to
themselves when anything unpleasant
is ahead, Harry got desperate.
AT last thought came to him; it was
a wild-eyed thought but it had dawn
of reason somewhere. Perhaps Lulu
feels as l do about it. She does not
seem over-anXious about the weddin e.
This hopeful train of ideas was plaus-
IDLY carried out "She naturally would
not like to tell me any more than like
to tell her. She may be dreading it
even more than | am. But then, again,
she may not. And if she doesn't, and
if l am fool enough to hint that l do,
she will be furious and I'll lose her
forever; and, hang it ALL don't want
TO lose her forever! A bit more free
dom Sis all | want. One good year of
it, even abroad, and then we'll be the
happiest couple in Ballingwood. I've
got to find out how she feels, but it's
risky business, I'll sound her without
giving myself away-if l canv' With a
rueful realization of Miss Boulton's
acuteness.
He tried for several days to screw his
courage up to ascertaining Lulu's
views ON the marriage state with spe-
cial reference to their personal and i'm
mediate bearings, and at last one night
did so. AS matter of investigation,
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