Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1895-06-21
A DESPERATE EXPEDIENT.
BY DANIEL CI.EvERroN.

The lecture was just at an end, and
Walter Dundas, M. A., Cantab, gath
cred his papers together, while his au-
dience, chiefly consisting Of ladies, pre-
pared to depart. The university ex-
tension had but recently penetrated
into the remote provincial town of
Elumberleigh, 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. Iwish I could have seen her
before left for New York, just to say
good-by.'
Meanwhile, the subject of his re-
nections, pretty, bright-faced girl of
nineteen, had arrived at her home,
large, handsome house In the princl-
pal street of the little town. In the
hall she met her father.
sCome into the study and shut the
door," he said. ~ have something
rather serious to tell YOU"
His daughter obeyed.
sThe fact is, Mabel" said Mr.. Cliff
ford, II have been, as you may have
noticed, in pecuniary difficulties fer
some time past. Some months ago, to
meet my more pressing claims, was
obliged to mortgage the house and to
get bill Of sale on the furniture. But
things have gone from bad to worse
and have just found that, unless /
can raise fifteen hundred dollars with
In two months, shall be in fair way
10 become bankrupt. Your Uncle
George is such miser that If he heard
the faintest rumor that was In diff
culties through extravaganza he
wouldn't leave me a farthing, far less
give me anything! In fact, it is partly
on his account that | am anxious to
raise the money quickly, for If l am
gazetted before he dies (the doctors
say he hasn't two months to livc) ~
name will be cut out of his will"
After pause he went on:
II wish some rich fellow would come
and marry you, Nab; that would pro-
vide for you at least, and you might be
able To spare few half pence 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 pregrinatiors. 1.-THE
very thing!" he exclaimed.
what do you mean?"
quite simple. Send out invitations
TO your wedding to some person, imag
\ mary, If you like. Then, when you
have got fine array of wedding pres
snts--well, the event can be postponed
3 sudden illness of the bridegroom
anything. Meanwhile, the presents are
converted into ready money. l an
once more solvent Uncle George dies
hey, presto! everything in flourishine
condition again!"
= 'sBut, father, think of the deceit
Why, It would be robbing people"
"Pshaw! We're desperate, and all il
fair in such cases. Besides, II every
thing does turn out well and Uncle
Georges money comes to us all right
why, then we can get the presents out
Of pawn and return them-engagemen1
Suddenly broken of, you know. What
objection can there be to that?'
But the whole scheme Is so prepos
ferrous! No, father, really can't do Il
$50 you won't even do that little
service for me7 Well, might have ex