The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-12-27

cannot do better than give a hint ia
Miss Worboise, and let nature do its
work"
Mabel quite recognized the truth OF
this assertion, for Miss Cynthia Wor-
boise. a maiden lady of uncertain age,
and near neighbor of theirs, had a
wel-merited reputation for gossip and
was frequently made use of by her
friends as an easy means of spreading
it, She, therefore, assented languldly
to the proposal.
"Then that's settled, and I'll drop in
myself after dinner tonight and tell
her. Wen fix the wedding for this day
seven weeks, and who knows what may
happen between this and then? There,
my love- l knew you would soon get
reconciled to the idea"
But Mabel was very far in reality
from being reconciled to 1t, and as she
left the study she felt her heart rise in
bitter revolt against 1t. But what could
she do? She had always been accus-
toned to obey her father in everything,
and she did not feel resolute enough to
withstand him now.
Nothing in the whole scheme had
wounded her so much as the bringing
thought Of II her cheeks were dyed
with a deep blush of shame, and the
idea of his ever getting wind Of 1t
made her nearly frantic.
However. she had agreed to the plan,
and it was too late to draw back now.
The only thing left for her to do was
to prepare herself as well as she could
for the many unpleasant interviews
which. she foresaw, would have to be
gone through.
True to his resolution, Clifford sailed
forth that night to the gossip -monger,
and returned in high glee at the man
ner in which his plausible story had
been received.
Miss Worboise was delighted" he
said, 'and consulted me Immediately
as to what / recommended for pres
ent. She is coming round tomorrow
morning to talk 1t over with you, so
mind and prepare yourself for any
emergency"
Mr.. Clifford had not miscalculated
when he said that it would be quite un-
necessary to do more than tell the news
to Miss Cynthia. In less than a week
the whole town was discussing the en-
gagement, and Mabel had received
calls of congratulation from all her
friends. Her father wishing to hurry
up matters, had fixed day some six
weeks hence, and had sent out dainty,
silver-written invitation cards to their
whole circle.
AS he expected, on their being sent
out stream of presents steady enough
to realize his most sanguine hopes, be-
gan to flow in, and he more than once
congratulated himself and his daughter
on the success that had met their
scheme.
Mabel, however, had often great diff
ficulty in explaining away some dis
crepancies which did arise in spite of
her care.
Time passed, till at last but one week
remained before the date fixed for the
eventful ceremony. Mr.. Clifford had
just been consulting Mabel as to the
propriety of announcing the sudden in
disposition of the bridegroom, when
Miss Worboise paid her usual morning
call.
"Oh, Nab. darling, you didn't tell me.
but l knew you would like to talk ii
over, so ! called in early. Naughty
man! to combine business with pleas
ure like this!"
What do you mean?" asked Mabel,
with apprehension.
You know as well as I. I really
wonder you let him. It's hardly re-
spectacle"
What is hardly respectable?" the
girl asked horrible fear seizing her.
why, of course. letting him lecture
here the very day before his marriage.
Didn't you know?-but of course you
did-he has promised to give an extra
lGntnrn SlInnlap1ant bic no,trSaIp
"Oh, yes-I know" said. or rather
gasped. Mabel. "Of course-I have
rather a headache this morning and
would you excuse me?"
Miss Worboise. of course. took the
hint and left with many expressions of
regret. while Mabel sought her father.
What shall we do?" she painted.
HE is coming here before he crosses
the Atlantic-actually herein five
days-he must hear of it-and II shall
die of shame!'
1T is deuced awkward said Mr..
Clifford, perplexed; but never mind
I've brought you into this mess and
I'll get you out. Now, see here I'll
wire at once and get him to dine and
stay the night with us--in fact, We'll
keep him entirely to ourselves, and he
won't get hint of 1t. In the morning
he'll leave by an early train-we can
say his mother has suddenly been TAX
en- ILL., There. isn't that all right?''
Mabel assented. doubtfully. Nothing
could be done now except wait and
hope for the best.
Mr.. Dundas duly invited, wired his
acceptance. and on the appointed day
was met at the station and conveyed
home by Mr.. Clifford. Mabel awaited
his arrival, with beating heart, and
could hardly hide her confusion on first
meeting him. When o'clock, the hour
appointed for his lecture, arrived, she
professed herself slightly unwell, and
Dundas found himself, to his disgust,
relegated to the care of her father, who
received strict injunctions from Mabel
not to allow the lecturer to interchange
greetings with any one.
They might congratulate himl" she
said. How very awkward that would
| bel"
Dinner passed off without mishap.
Mabel was shy and constrained and
spoke little; but as Clifford was in high