The Yale expositor., 1895-11-15

form with DIR. Balthazar Walker in the
chair, and Admiral Hay Denver among
his more prominent supporters. one
benighted male had come in from the
outside darkness and had jeered from
the further end of the hall, but he had
been called to order by the chair, petri-
fed by indignant glances from the un-
enfranchised around him, and hnally
escorted to the door by Charles West
macott. Fiery resolutions were passed
TO be forwarded to a large number OF
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 to
whom the meeting and all that was con-
nected with IL had brought anything but
pleasure. Clara Walker watched with q
heavy heart the friendship and close
intimacy which had sprung up between
her father and the widow. From week
| to week it had increased until no day
| ever passed without their being to-
gether. The coming meeting had been
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
it 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 ii a 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 a 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 II must be faced.
One evening the Doctor had been
rather late at his neighbours. He used
to go into the Admlrals 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 a little pale, dear"
| he remarked.
"Oh. no, papa. 1 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 Westmacott
on the lawn not very long ago. He
seems very fond of her. He is not very
| bright, but / think he will make her a
| good husband"
"I am sure of it, papa. He is very
manly and reliable"
Yes, / should think that he is not the
sort OF man who goes wrong. There is
nothing hidden about him. AS to his
| brightness, 1t really does not matter
for his aunt, Mrs. Westmacott, is yer
rich, much richer than yos would think
from her style of living, and she has
made him a handsome provision"
II am glad of that"
"It is between ourselves. i am her
trustee, and so 1 know something of her
arrangements. And when are you going
TO marry, Clara?"
"Oh, papa, not for some time yet We
have not thought of date"
'Well, really. don't know that there
is any reason for delay. He has com.
petencs and it increases yearly. AS lone
as you are quite certain that your mind
is made up
"Oh, papaw
"Well, then, really do not know why
there should be any delay And Ida
too, must be married within the next
few months. Now. what ] want TO know
| Is what 1 am to do when my two little
companions run away from me-" He
spoke lightly, but his eyes were grave
as he looked quest~nin at his daush.
ter.
Dear papa, you shall not be alone
| tt will be years before Harold and
think of marrying. and when we dc
you must come and live with us"
mo, no, dear. know that you near
what you say, but have seen some
thing Of the world, and / know thai
such arrangements never answer. There
cannot be two masters in house, and
yet at my age freedom is very neces
sary 10 me-"
But you would be completely free.
mo, dear, you cannot be that II yoJ
are n guest I'm another mans house