The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-12-27
A DESPERATE EXPED|ENT.

The lecture was just at an end, and
Walter Dundas, M. A., Cantab, gath
cred his papers together. while his
audience, chiefly consisting of ladies'
prepared to depart. The University
Extension had but recently penetrated
into the remote provincial town of
Slumberleigh and had there met with
almost unprecedented success.
Reaching the outer door before the
whole assembly had dispersed, Dundas
scanned each of his students, exchang-
Ing greetings and farewells with some
whose acquaintance he had made dur
Ing his few weeks residence in Slum-
berleigh. AS the last departed, he
turned on his heel and heaving
slight sigh, betook himself to his hotel
81 must have missed Miss Clifford"
he muttered; "she was certainly at the
lecture. 1 wish 1 could have seen her
before 1 left New York, just to say
good-by."
Meanwhile, the subject of his rehec-
tions, a pretty, bright-faced girl OF
nineteen, had arrived at her home,
large handsome house, in the principal
street of the little town. In the hall
she met her father.
Come into the study and shut the
door" he said. 81 have something
rather serious to tell YOU" The daugh-
ter obeyed.
"The fact is, Mabel" said Mr.. Cliff
ford, II have been, as you may have
noticed, in pecuniary difficulties for
some time past. Some months ago, to
meet my more pressing claims. l was
obliged to mortgage the house and to
get bill of sale on the furniture. But
things have gone from bad to worse,
and 1 have just found that, unless l
can raise 300 within two months,
shall be in a fair way to become bank
rupt. Your Uncle George is such
miser that if he heard the faintest ru-
NOR that / was in difficulties through
extravaganza he wouldn't leave me a
farthing, far less give me anything! In
fact, it is partly on his account that
am so anxious to raise this money
quickly, for If am gazetted before he
dies (the doctor says he hasn't two
months to live) my name will be cut
out of his WILL
After a pause he said:
II wish some rich fellow would come
and marry you, Nab that would pro-
be able to spare a few halfpence for
your poor old father"
Mabel laughed. "At least you could
have the wedding presents in that
case" she said.
Clifford suddenly stopped short in the
midst of his peregrinations. "The very
thing!" he exclaimed
What do you mean?"
"Ouita SirnpIe Sand ont invita- tiopc
to your wedding to some person, imagi-
nary, If you like. Then, when you have
got fine array of wedding presents
well, the event can be postponed-sud-
den illness of the bridegroom-any
thing. Meanwhile, the presents are
converted into ready money. / am
onoe more solvent Uncle George dies;
hey, presto! everything in a fiourishing
condition again!"
But father, think of the deceit!
Why. 1t would be like robbing people!"
"Pshaw We're desperate, and all Is
fair in such cases, Besides. If every
thing does turn out we'll and Uncle
Georges money comes to us all right
why, then we can get the presents out
of pawn and return them-engagement
suddenly broken off you know. What
objection can there be to that?"
But the whole scheme Is so prepos-
ferrous! No, father. 1 really can't do
iti"
80, you won't even do that little SER
vice for me? Well, / might have ex-
pected 1t! Here am ], toiling and slav-
ing all these years"-(Mabel looked
slightly MISUNDERSTANDING myself,
paying sweet guineas for your fees to
local lectures. and this is all the thanks
I get"
II was at the last to-day" said his
daughter, coloring slightly.
THE last! Then that lecturer fellow
what's his name?-Dundas has gone
Look here, Mabel! Let him be the
bridegroom. He'll never hear of it
he's not likely to ever come back again,
and 1t will seem much more natural
for you to be engaged to him than to a
stranger, There / flatter myself that
have made a really brilliant sugges-
ton"
Father, must tell you plainly"
said Mabel, flushing angrily. 81 de-
cline to have anything to do with the
plan"
Now, Mabel dear" he said in a
more wheedling tone, you will be SEN
sible, won't you? Surely you can't see
me trembling on the brink of ruin like
this, and not stretch out a hand to helI
me? Come, now!"
Poor Mabel looked irresolutely before
her.
IF I could do anything else" sh'
said entreatingly. But a deceitfu
thing like that-and think OF the OK
posure If it should come out!"
mo fear of it coming out, If onl!
you act your part properly" returne,
her father quick to detect the signs o
yielding in her tone, "And, after al
it's only for month or two at most
There, knew you would be sensible.
But don't like 1t at ALL"
"Poohl You'll soon get accustome
to It, And now to set about prepara
tons for carrying 1t out. think, a
ne want the thing widely known, W