Waterbury Democrat., 1901-12-13


 CarIen to her daughter as they sat in the parlor of their Washington residence one afternoon.
 Why. mother, what is the matter with Charlie? You surely can find no fault with the visits of an old friend of ours like he is.''
 As fong s they are only friendly visits it does not matter, but last night he stayed till everyone else was gone. Count Villeroy even spoke of it to me and asked if he were relative"
 Count Villeroy, indeed! What is it his business?"
 ';The count is a suitor for your hand, Mary, and he is likely to be offended by the lover-like attentions paid you by Mir. Ingalls,"
 ..The count may be suitor, as you say, but he is wasting his time. I shall tell him so the first opportunity"
 ..Mary!''
 '.Yes, am old enough to know my own mind, and I declare that I will never marry that little French ape.'
 ..I am ashamed of you, daughter; he IS a French nobleman, and.if you refuse him you will offend your father
 T do that in some way every hour," said Mary, ESQ it doesn't matter"
 There is Charlie now,' said Mary, as the bell rang, and she ran into the hall to meet him.
 Mrs. Carlen was the wife of a vest ern congressman serving his first term. He was rich and was what is known as an accidental statesman. That is, his election was the result of an accident, and both he and his wife determined to improve the opportunity by negotiating a brilliant marriage for their daughter. They had selected a visiting French count for son-in- law, and the affair had proceeded so far that even the amount of the brides dover was agreed upon.
 Mary was not party to the plan, for she was in love with Charlie In gals, who lived in their home town, and who would graduate the next year from the Columbian Law school in Washington. His studies were at this time somewhat neglected on account of the presence of Mary in the caPi- tai.
 Mrs. Carlen was provoked over her daughters obstinacy. and determined to give Ingalls, to understand that he was no longer welcome at the Carlen home.
 She opened the subject at once when he entered the parlor, piloted by Mary.
 Mir. Ingalls," said she. after the usual greetings, '.as an old friend of the family, want to tell you of Mary's engagement to Count Villeroy.''
 Ingalls, looked at Mary. She pursed up her lips and shook her head.
 What barber shop is the count working in?'' he asked, seriously.
 What do you mean?' asked Mrs. Carlen, drowning.
 Nothing replied Ingalls,, sonly 1 have noticed that all the French counts are barbers and walters, or the like.''
 Absurd
 .Oh, if Mary loves him it is all right, for barber may make good hus- band, you know"
 If your remarks were made in his presence he would punish you se- verely.''
 ''I don't get shaved in his shop, so he will have no chance at me- said In- gals, langhingly. "But what do you say to a walk, Nary"
 .I'n be ready in five min utes," and she darted upstairs.
 Now, Mir. Ingalls, said Mrs. Carlen, after Mary had gone, T do not desire to play the cruel pare nt, but I must in- sist that your visits to Mary cease. She shall marry the count, and you must see that your attentions are very disa- 1 greeable to me- l But l don't want to marry you, said Ingalls,, grinning, tits Mary, and we are engaged, you know" l Without my consent?" | "Yes. We are both of age, you know. We do not intend to marry fol year or two, so you need not worry All ready, Charlie" said Mary, com ing in, and they went for their walk leaving Mrs. Carlen stupefied witt rage and astonishment.
 When MT. Carlen came home she tolc him all that had occurred. She ex pected to see him fly into a rage, but he did not. On the contrary, he looked troubled and stroked his chin whiskel thoughtfully.
 You will take the ma atter up your self. will you not, Peter?" she asked.
 ''Yes,' said Mr. Carlen, "I'll talk tt both of them"
 You must be peremptory and mer ciless with young Ingalls,. He, was q. impertinent to me a if l were no Mary's mother"
 The congressman nodded.
 And you must be firm with Mary She laughs at us and seems to have for gotten her duty to her parents" Another nod.
 That evening the congressman called young Ingalls, into the back par Tor. Their interview lasted for som, time, and finally Mary was called in After half an hour the young peopl, appeared, apparently in good humor and Mary informed her mother that ps desired to see her.
 We will entertain the count" sh, added, nodyding to that individual, whs was occupying the sofa.
 Mrs. Carlen found her husband seat ed comfortably in his large chair.
 "Well?" she asked. 1 Its all fixed" said the congress man. stroking his beard. 'tThey ar, to be married in two months.''
 "Who?"
 ssMarv and Charlie