The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-10-07
THE Wears %.
MAY MEETING.
BY BRUCE McKEEVER.

nUT, when I assure you, sir, upon my
n honor. that | had never spoken to
Mile. Alplhonsine before, and that 1t
was quite by chance l went to the sup
per, through the invitation of an old
college chum, won't you reconsider the
matter?"
Rev. Thomas Dane shook his head de
cidedlv. NO, Mr.. Sinclair, / must act
according to my conscience, and that
forbids me to consent to my daugh-
ter's engagement to a man who fire.
quents such society as that of-er-
this dancer, who-I-er-under IS
a most--er-notorious character
But it was mere chance, don't fire.
uuent such society,"" urged Charlie Sin
clair, who thought it very hard that,
because a tale of his having been a
guest at a theatrical supper party had
been carried by some malicious busy
body to the vicar, his engagement to
pretty Rose Dane should be broken off.
The vicar had never regarded him with
much favor, and seemed to grasp
eagerly at this pretext for dismissing
him.
perhaps you don't remember, Mr..
Sinclair" he said, severely, that we
are hidden to avoid all appearance of
evil. Had you borne this in mind ii
might have been we'll"
oh! l see, it's only the appearance
of evil you mind. not the thing itself,
said Charlie, with unwise sarcasm, fol
a flush mounted up to Rev. Thomas
cheeks, and he said, Jelly: you pur
posely misunderstood me, Mr.. Sinclair
and, as this conversation can serve rs
end, / must request you to bring it tc
close and leave my house"
May l not at least see Rose anC
say good-bye?" said the young man
anXiOusly.
Il cannot permit it. l will explain
everything to my daughter. From you1
-er-misplaced flippancy l can see the
influence you might exercise over he
mind would not--er-be for good
Kindly consider our interview at ;
close. My time is valuable as | hav,
to prepare for a visit to London;" ant
Mr.. Dane rang the bell with decision.
With head very erect, and a mind boil
ing with rage at the injustice melted GU
to him, Charlie stalked out of the room
only restraining himself by great et
fort from the undignifed measure O
slamming the door. But he had hard!
closed it when there was a rustic G
skirts, and from another doorwa
emerged a slender, auburn-haired crea
ture, with tender blue eyes and ski
of ream'and roses, who flung her arm
around his neck with a softly anxiou
cry. ooh, is it bad news, Charlie? 70
look so angry"
The very worst, dearest. He won
allow me to justify myself Says on
engagement is at an end, and has fol
hidden me even to say goodby to you,
said her lover, holding her closely.
''As if would let you 90 like that!
told Sarah | would answer the door, an
Aunt Agatha is asleep upstairs. OF
Charlie, what shall | do without YOU
Don't try. Make a bolt of it, an
come away with me. We shall be ma
led before he can stop us"
mo, no. l couldn't do that. An
there is my money. We should lose tn;
. If | married against my fathers wishe
Nc, we must wait Only--only, Charli
you-you don't really care much abol
that woman, Mile, Alphonsine?" sal
Rose, her fingers very busy with a &c
tain button of his coat, her eyes dow
cast, her voice rather abashed.
why, you dear, foolish child,
course | don't. She is old enough to |
my mother, and hasn't anything re-
about her except her language sa
Charlie, with very reassuring laugh.
"Oh hush! Go! Fathers comii
out" cried Rose, in alarm. And snatc
ing brief Kiss, he allowed himself
be hustled out of the front door Just
Rev Thomas emerged from his stuC
TO tell Rose to pack his portmante;
over night, and to have breakfast ear
the next morning, as he was going up
town by the first train from SIocu
Pogis.
There was no part of the year NJ
Dane enjoyed more than his annual II
up to London for the May meetings. J
had wonderfully good taste in coo
cry ior a country parson, and never p
up at the cheap hostelries patronizt
by most of his brethren, where bact
and eggs for breakfast, and soup, joi