Griggs courier., 1897-10-08
THE Wears %.
MAY MEETING.
BY BRUCE McKEEVER.


DUT, when assure you, sir, upon my
ID honor, that had never spoken to
Nile. Alplhonsine before, and that it
was quite by chance 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-
eidedly. mo, Mr.. Sinclair, I must act
according to my conscience, and that
forbids me to consent to my daugh-
ter's engagement to man who fre-
quents such society as that of-er-
this dancer, -er-understand is
Q most-er-notorious character"
"But it was mere chance, I don't fire.
quent such society,"" urged Charlie Sim
clair, who thought it very hard that,
because tale of his having been q
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 of.
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 it
might have been WELL"
"Oh! see, it's only the appearance
of evil you mind, not the thing ITSELF"
said Charlie, with unwise sarcasm, for
q flush mounted up to Rev. Thomas
cheeks, and he said, icily: "You pur-
posely misunderstood me, Mr.. Sinclair,
and, as this conversation can serve no
end, l must request you to bring it to
close and leave, my house."
"May not at least see Rose and
say good-bye?" said the young man,
anxiously.
II cannot permit it. I will explain
everything to my daughter. From your
-er-misplaced flippancy can see the
influence you might exercise over her
mind would not-er-be for good.
Kindly consider our interview at a
close. My time is valuable, as have
to prepare for visit to London;" and
Mr.. Dane rang the bell with decision.
With head very erect, and mind boil
ing with rage at the injustice meted out
to him, Charlie stalked out of the room,
only restraining himself by great eff
fort from the undignifed measure of
Alamming the door. But he had hardly
closed it when there was rustic of
skirts, and from another doorway
emerged slender, auburn-haired crea-
'ture, with tender blue eyes and skin
of cream and roses, who flung her arms
around his neck with softly anxious
cry. "Oh, is it bad news, Charlie? You
look so angry"
"The very worst. dearest. He won't
allow me to justify myself. Says our
engagement is at IN end, and hns for
bidden me even to say good-by to you,'
<aid her lover. holding her closely.
AS it would let you go like that! [
told Sarah would answer the door. and
Aunt Agatha is asleep upstairs. Oh,
Charlie. what shall lido without you ?''
Don't try. Make bolt of it, and
come away with me. We shall be mar
ried before he can stop u.s.
''No, no. I couldn't do that. And
there is my money. We should lose that
Hf married against my fathers wishes.
Nc. we must wait. Only-only. Charlie,
you-you don't really care much about
that woman. Mile, Alphonsine?" said
Rose, her fingers very busy with a GER
,tain button of his coat. her eyes down
cas-. her voice rather abashed.
'Why, you dear. foolish child, of
course don't. She is old enough to be
any mother, and hasn't anything real
about her except her language" said
Charlie. with a very reassuring laugh.
"Oh, hush: Go! Fathers coming
out cried Rose. in alarm. And snatch
ing brief kiss, he allowed himself to
be hustled out of the front door Just as
Rev. Thomas emerged from his study
to tell Rose to pack his portmanteau
over night, and to have breakfast early
the next morning, as he was going up to
town by the first train from Slocum
Pogis.
There. was no part of the year Mr.
Danc enjoyed more than his annual run
mp to London for the May meetings. He
had wonderfully good taste in cook.
cry for country parson. and never put
up at the cheap hostelries patronize:l
10y most Of his Brethren, where baco,;
end eggs for breakfast. aud SOUP jeia: