The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-04-13
Their Daughter-in-Law.
BY EMMA A. OPPER,

Your last day? Dear, dear, mus
you go today, Harvey" said Mrs. See
ly, looking across the breakfast tabl
at her son. with affectionate concern
And her daughters Kitty and Mar
gerry echoed her words.
Couldn't you have got on for an
other week?" said his father, break
Ing hot roll carefully. Nov tina,
you're partner, though"
Now that I'm partner. it's hare
work getting off," responded Harvey
.Seely. 1T was all l could do"
He paused suddenly.
What was all you could dor" In.
uuiret Kitty.
Well" said Harvey, laying down
his knife and fork, wifi a beamins
smile, here goes; Here's the news
I've been saving up for you till the last
from natural modesty. 1t was all
could do to get things arranged SO
that could go on my wedding trip a
month hence. l am going to be mar
ried.
Kitty's spoon fell into her saucer
with clatter. and Mr.. Seely dropped
his roll hastily.
Married." said Margery breathless-
~.
Mrs. Seely alone remained calm.
She rolled up her napkin. put it In
its ring and looked at her son through
her gold-bowed glasses composedly.
She felt. however. that this was an
important crisis.
When Harvey-their only son-had,
with commendable independence, left
his pleasant home to ''get start" in
the neighboring city. they had all
expected great things of him.
He would be rapidly successful; he
would distinguish himself in the pro-
fession he had chosen and amass a for
tune; and he would WOO and win
some sweet girl, with long row of
ancestors-the Seelys, being them
selves a good old family, were great
respecters of blue blood-a host of
accomplishments and heavy dowry.
Their hopes had seemed likely to be
fulfilled. Harvey had proved himself
possessed of remarkable business quail
tiles; he had risen quickly, and had re-
Gently exceeded their widest ambi-
lions by being made junior party Of
his firm.
All that now remained to be desired
was his safe conquest Of the beautiful
and aristocratic young person of their
koln ntc
substantial inheritance.
1t is not to be wondered at, there
fore, that the girls were trembling with
eagerness; that Mr.. Seely fumbled
with his watch chain in nervous sus-
pense, and that Mrs. Seely opened her
lips twice before she found strength
to PROFOUND the all-important Ques-
ton:
who is she?"
"She is Miss Dora Berdan at pres
ent." said Harvey smilingly.
"Berdan?" Mrs. Seely repeated. and
raised her brows inquiringly. II don't
think have heard of the family"
Not at all likely" Harvey rejoincd.
"They are quiet people"
"Berdan!" Mrs. Seely repeated.
musingly. "No; l have not heard Of
them. Where do they live"
'In weyman street." responded
Harvey.
Mrs. Seely fell back in her chair
with little gasp; her husband turned
a dismayed face upon his son; and
Kitty and Margery gave little screams.
"Weyman street! 1t was miles from
the region of aristocracy; 1t was
peopled with working girls, and seam
stresses and small shopkepers: with
street vendors and old apple-wome
for all the Seelys knew.
mot weyman street, Harvey"
said his father, appealingly.
Certainly: Weyman street." Har.
Sey repeated.
"But she is not-she cannot be of
good family, living In Weyman
street," said Mrs. Seely, anxiously.
1.-THE family is quite respectable"
her son responded, quietly. "Dora's
mother Is a widow. She sews for a
lace-goods house. and Dora has been
assistant bookkeeper In our estab-
lishment; that is how I met her.
Mrs. Seeiy groaned.
"a bookkeeper-a seamstress!" she
calculated. ooh. Harvey, you could
not have done worse!"
"a penniless grill" said his father,
solemnly. "And after all we have
hoped for you! No; it could not be
worse"
"A common workins-girl!" said
Kitty, in a choking voice. "And
everybody will know it! Oh, Harvey,
1t couldn't be worse!"
The young man looked from one to
another in astonished. hurt and half
contemptuous silence.
Margery turned to him, with gen.
tie sympathy mingling with the
dismay in her face.
Perhaps" she said, hopefully
"perhaps there is something to make
up? Perhaps she is a wonderful
beauty, or great genius. or some
thing?"
hdiNSy gave AcE Siatciui Smiie.
81 think her pretty. Of course" he
said. But I suppose that's because
I'm fond of her. / don't think she
would be called beauty. And as for
genuis-she's very clever at accounts;
but she doesn't sing, or paint. or any
thing OF that sort. She's never had
the time or money for such things,
poor grill"
But Margery had turned away with
an impatient gesture.
There is nothing. then" she said,
despairingly. mo; 1t couldn't be
worse."
Harvey rose from his seat, with an
energy which set the bell in the castor