Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-11-04
A COMEDY OF FIVE.

cause when opened the door-it did stick
a little-Clnrcncc Holt was gazing out Of
the window most unconcerncdly, with his
hands in his pockets, and Minnie Carter
NHs sitting In an armchair. so deep in the
study Of Darwin's Fertilization Of Or
rhids" that she did not at first observe my
"Ncry sorry 10 disturb you, Miss Car
ter, - hogan, hut Miss Brand is very
anxious for you to go to her in the draw
ing room. She wants you to try over the
of a song, believe"
Miss Carter Immediately rose to 20, and
Clarence mado his way hastily across the
room in order to hold open the door for
her.
was several years his senior, and when
We were at oxford together had looked
uDun him as younger brother. He was
In every respect fine fellow. good nat
urcd manly and handsome / had como
down on a visit to his mother, Lady Holt,
at her country house In Surrey, the only
other guests at the time being Dorothy
Brand and her friend, Minnie Carter.
When Clarence and were alone in the
library, he suddenly became very mysteri-
ally quiet. Presently he said:
We've always been great chums,
haven't we, ReggieY"
"Now, what is 1t you want me to do for
your" l said. Como to the point, old
boy"
He smiled. "As matter of fact" he
said, Il do want you to help me about
something. But, first OF all, must toll
you one or two things in confidence. You
know Dorothy Brandt
Did ! know Dorothy Brand? Had not
been enjoying the pleasure of her company
for the last ten days at GrAncourtY
"She n nice sort of girl, of course" he
continued
Il should rather think she was" l
broke in warmly.
My mother thinks so, too, said Clnr-
ence, and you will probably be surprised
to hear that she asked her down here in
hope that should fall in love with her. ="
1.-The deuce she did, cried, and own
that was considerably startled.
my mother said that she had no wish
to force my inclinations, but she proceeded
to- enumCrate all the advantages that
would accrue to me II made Dorothy my
wife. She is hardly an heress, but then
she belongs to one of the best Surrey fam
lilies, and she is certainly an attractive
girl Now, what want you to do is to go
to my mother
~ think I can guess, interrupted
~ am to break 1t to her that you ore
very sorry
"Oh, l am not at all sorry" he broke
in. II want you TO announce my engage
ment"-
what" almost screamed.
"To Minnie Carter" he concluded.
sank down into n chair. certainly
felt relieved. though l hardly knew why
at the moment. My dear old boy, want
to congratulate you, I cried enthusiastic.
ally. I'm sure you will be awfully happy
together"
Thanks, old chap" no snid. land will
you break 1t to my mother Sho will be
dreudfully disappointed, especially as
have put her off the scent by paying good
deal of attention to Dorothy"
In the afternoon had nothing particu-
lar to do, so proposed to Dorothy Brand.
WASH good enough for her. told her
SO myself, but she said / might hope and,
with her sweet words still ringing In my
ears, felt ready to face and break any.
thing to Lady Holt.
suppose there must be something in
mo which inspires confidence, because she
proceeded to lead up to the very subject !
wished to breach.
"You are such an old friend of the fam
lily, she began, that always feel can
talk to you about matters which concern
the happiness of my son
You are very kind, Lady Holt" re.
piled and waited for her to 90 on.
Now, has it struck you, Reggie-has 1t
struck you during the last week that u Ger.
tain person has been showing any signs Of
favor to ClarenceF"
felt justified in saying that it had
struck me.
"I'm glad to hear you say 1t. wasn't
quito suro myself Dorothy Is a sweet
girl"
"She Is indeed" cried
ut is really very nice of YOU
"Not at all, Lady Holt, assure you
We were getting on very we'll.
Clarence is nearly 26, as you know. II
! Is time he settled down"
"Ono of these days / shall be settling
down myself" observed
And shall be the first to congratulate
you" said Lady Holt
l rather doubted it, but held my peace
"But about Clarence" she continued
II tell you, Reggie, shall be u happy wo
man when hear that he is actually en-
gagged"
"Then think can promise you that
you won't hnvo long to wait, replied
genially.
do you really mean it?"
~ mean that Clarence actually Is en-
gagged. He gave me the information just
before lunch"
was about to explain everything, whel
Dorothy Brand came along, taking us botl
by surprise. Lady Holt literally rushed a
her.
"I'm SO gladn sho exclaimed, ant
kissed her on both cheeks.
"Thank you, Lady Holt, " said Dorothy
"Mr Lambert has lost no time in telling
you the news sec"
HE has been telling mo all about It.
am surprised, though" added Lady Holt
"that was not told abou. 1t before, Reg
kie."
But began Dorothy, amazed.
~ am afraid, Lady Holt, that l did no
make myself quite plain" put In by wa!
of explanation. IL did not tell you tina
Dorothy has promised to be my wife.
Your wifeI' she cried II don't quit,
understand. You positively assured mi
that 1t was Clarence who was engage "
$50 1t Is. was trying to break 1t t.
you gently. He Is engaged to Miss Car
ter"
WHAT" she shrieked. II ! had beer
near enough to catch her, she would how
tainted.
We reasoned and pleaded for half al
hour, at the end of which time Lady Hol
began to show signs of relenting.
at might have been worse she &C
knowledged, and she went of in search o
the delinquent pair, leaving Dorothy ant
me alone.