The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-10-06

every evening II ne cboSe, Always certain
of his welcome. Celia was as musical as
she was lovely, quite an acquisition, would
be a delightful companion for Veronica,
though, of course, years younger. Had he
mentioned that the intended billiard room
was to be changed into music room? Ce
liza had suggested it, she was so fond of
music, and he thought it capital sugges-
ton.
On the receipt Of letter from Theodore
the rector usually walked up to the grove
and gave the Hookers the benefit of the
news it contained, but on this occasion he
departed from that usual custom and did
not walk up to the grove; neither, when he
next met the family. did he mention Celia.
The alterations seemed to make slow
progress in spite of Theodore's constant SUI
pervision of labor. The wedding had to
be postponed; impossible to bring the bride
to scene of such great disorder. 1t was
now fixed for the second week in October,
six weeks later than the date originally
fixed. Towards the end of September
Theodore, in letter to Mr. Pindar, limited
at the possible necessity for further ad
lournment, but received a sharp letter from
the rector in reply.
at does not look well when man hangs
back" the latter wrote, sand your fan
GEES position is beginning to be little try
ing. Her family were not pleased at the
last postponement, and any further delay
might expose her to humiliating remarks.
| think, Judging from a remark Daisy let
fall, that they have all felt you might have
spared few days to Veronica, her distance
from you not being very great, and your
time being quite your own. l am certain
Veronica has felt it; she has been looking
both pale and depressed Ishould be sorry
to think friend of mine was behaving
badly"
By return of post came Theodores re-
ply. 1t has a startling effect nthe rector.
He set his teeth as he read, and his eyes
glittered with light before which Theo-
dore, had he been present, would have paled
and trembled Thus ran the letter;
ssDear Pindar-I am in terrible mess.
For mercys sake lend me helping hand.
can not marry Veronica. l have no
fault to find with her, but, | may as well
confess the truth, love Celia. | never
meant to tell Celia, but she has found it
out and has confessed she is not indifferent
to me. OF course she knows nothing of
this previous engagement, and am anxious
neither she nor her parents should ever
know. Veronica is the difficulty. How
will she take it? Will she create a scan
dial? Dear old friend, for the sake of old
times, go up and try to arrange the matter
quietly. Tell her | honor and respect her
deeply, and all that sort of thing, but that
my heart, in spite of all my efforts, has
gone out to another Gid the pill as much
as you like, tell her am prepared to make
any money sacrifice, if that would comprom-
Use the matter.
The rector read no further With
fierce gesture he dashed the letter to the
ground, and crushed it beneath his heel.
"The cur! The mean, contemplate
hound p he exclaimed, pacing up and down
his study floor like an angry lion "No fault
to find with her! with her! that angel! How
dare he? Actually engaging himself to
Celia, whilst Veronica, sweetest OF women,
waits for him, and prepares for her wedding
day. How dare he offer her his dirty
money? And Celia is not to know! The
BASTARD Celia and her parents shall hear
the whole story from me tomorrow. But
Veronica! Oh, heavens! how tell that
long-tried, sensitive creature so vile an in
suit has been offered her! Why does he
add to his selfish cruelty by deputing me
to be his emissary?"
The rector sat down on chair against
the wall, looking pale and unnerved, and
began to speak to himself in short sen
fences, as a man in dream.
"He asks me to go up and stab-the
will she take it? How am l to soften the
insult? What can say-what say-to
the woman love? Tell her | rejoice in
her escape? The woman love"
Suddenly the rector's strong hands be-
gan to tremble, and quite vacantly he gazed
across the room at the wall facing him, of
which he saw nothing
"She is freel' he said, as if the thought
had Just occurred to him. "She is free
the woman love-.
Then he fell on his knees, and for a mo-
ment there was sound as Of weeping in
the ROOM Only for moment The strong
man conquered his weakness and with char
acteristic promptitude prepared for action.
First, he dashed off note to Theodore.
81 60" he said, "to expose you in your
true colors to the Hooker family, and to
congratulate Miss Hooker on her escape
from so pitiful, so contemplate creature
as you. At the same time do not i'm
agine this matter will be suffered to drop
without my taking some speedy action in
the matter, or that you will escape the OBJ
loquy you deserve. | need scarcely add
that you will never again be suffered to
dishonor my rectory with your presence;
but tomorrow | visit your neighborhood,
and unless you wish to insure a horse
whipping I should advise you to try
change to a foreign climate for a season
and to keep out of my way.
The note finished, he took up his hat
and prepared to leave for the Grove. As
he crossed the hall he caught sight of the
he stopped and tried to compose himself.
al wonder if this coat is good enough to
90 up 10, he murmured, and then gave !
strange little laugh, remembering Theo-
dore had used almost the same words
few months ago at the Groye-and came
back engaged to Veronica. Dismissins
the coat question quickly, as though |
ashamed SO trivial question should oc
cupy his mind at such time, he stepped |
quickly out and strobe across the garden.
But all the way to the Grove six words
haunted and agitated him. "And came
back engaged to Veronica. He tried to
escape from their haunting persistence,
and to frame in his mind the words he
should speak when he came face to face
with Veronica, and had to break the news
to her; but none that were suitable oc-
Cured to him. Never before had the
selfreliant actor felt so discomposed, so
II