Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1895-10-03

w an lnnueHLAhA PANN
PORN with Dr.. Balthazar Walker In the
chair, and Admiral Hay Denver among
his more prominent supporters. one
benighted male had come in from lne
outside darkness and had 1eereo from
the further end Of the hall, but ne hau
been called to order by the char, petrl-
fled by indignant glances from the uI-
enfranchised around him, and tnaily
escorted to the door by Charles west
macott. Fiery resolutions were passeu,
to be forwarded to large NUMBER OIL
leading statesmen, and the meeting
broke up with the conviction that
shrewd blow had been struck for the
cause of woman.
But there was one woman at least 10
whom the meeting and all that was con
nected with 1t had brought anything out
pleasure. Clara Walker watched with
heavy heart the friendship and close
intimacy which had sprung up between
her father and the widow. From week
to week 1t had increased until no DAY
ever passed without their being To-
gether. The coming meeting had oeeh
the excuse for these continual inter-
views, but now the meeting was over
and still the Doctor would refer every
point which rose to the judgment of his
neighbor. He would talk, too, to his two
daughters Of her strength Of character,
her decisive mind, and Of the necessity
of their cultivating her acquaintance
and following her example, until at last
1t had become his most common topic
of conversation.
All this might have passed as merely
the natural pleasure which an elderly
man might take in the society OF an
intelligent and handsome woman, but
there were other points which seemed
to Clara to give 1t deeper meaning.
She could not forget that when Charles
Westmacott had spoken to her one
night he had alluded to the possibility
of his aunt marrying again. He must
have known or noticed something be-
fore he could speak upon such sub
ject. And then again Mrs. Westmacott
had herself said that she hoped to
change her style Of living shortly and
take over completely new duties. WHAT
could that mean except that she expect
ed to marry? And whom? She seemed
to see few friends outside their own lit
tie circle. She must have alluded to her
father. 1t was a hateful thought, and
yet it must be faced.
One evening the Doctor had been
rather late at his neighbours. He used
to go into the Admiral's after dinner
but now he turned more frequently IN
the other direction. When he returned
Clara was sitting alone in the drawing
room reading a magazine. She sprang
up as he entered, pushed forward his
chair, and ran to fetch his slippers.
"You are looking little pale, dear,
he remarked.
"Oh, no, papa, I am very we'll"
"All we'll with Harold?"
Eyes. His partner, Mr.. Peahson, is
still away, and he is doing all the work.
'Well done. He is sure to succeed
Where is Ida?"
I'm her room, I think"
"She was with Charles Westmacot
on the lawn not very long ago. He
seems very fond Of her. He is not very
bright, but think he will make her {
good husband"
IT am sure of it, papa. He is very
manly and reliable"
Eyes, should think that he is not tho
sort of man who goes wrong. There Il
nothing hidden about him. AS to hi
brightness, it really does not matter
for his aunt, Mrs. 'Westmacott, is very
rich, much richer than you would thinl
from her style of living, and she hai
made him handsome provision"
Il am glad of that"
at is between ourselves. am he
trustee, and so 1 know something of he
arrangements. And when are you going
to marry, Clara?"
"Oh, papa, not for some time yet. w
have not thought of date"
"WelI, really, don't know that Their
IS any reason for delay. He has com
petancs and It increases yearly. AS lont
as you are quite certain that your minC
is made up"
"oh, papaP
"Well, then, really do not know WIN
there sheuld be any delay. And Ida
too, must be married within the mex
few months. Now, what I want to know
Is what am to do when my two littl
companions run away from me-" HI
spoke lightly, but his eyes were gravI
as he looked questioningly at his daugh
ter.
Dear papa, you shall not be alone
It will be years before Harold and
think Of marrying, and when we d
you must come and live with US"
mo, no, dear. know that you meal
what you say, but have seen some
thing OF the world, and I know tina
such arrangements never answer. Their
cannot be two masters in a house, an'
yet at my age freedom is very neces
sary to me-"
But you would be completely free.
mo, dear, you cannot be that IL yoi
are a guest In another mans house
g.. -. $1,000 "a 49, nltnrra five D