Gulf Coast breeze. [volume] (Crawfordville, Fla.) 1897-19??, 1901-03-22

1OuF ldSL uuy' DedTt utdI, luuHt
you go today. Harvey" said Mrs. See
ly, looking across the breakfast table
at her son, with affectionate concern.
And her daughters Kitty and Mar
gerry echoed her words.
Couldn't you have got of for an
other week." said his father, break
ing a hot roll carefully. Now that
you're partner, though
"Now that I'm partner, it's hard
work getting on" responded Harvey
Seely. 1T was all could do"
lie paused suddenly
What was all you could do?" in
CURED Kitty.
We'll" said Harvey laying down
his knife and fork, with a beaming
smile, here goes; Here's the news
I've been saving up for you till the last,
from natural modesty. II was all
| could do to get things arranged SO
that could go on my wedding trip
month hence. am going to be mar
ried.
Kitty's spoon fell into her saucer
with a clatter. and Mr.. Seely dropped
his roll hastily.
Married" said Msrgery breathless-
ly.
Mrs. Seely alone remained calm.
She rolled up her napkin, put 1t In
It's 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 neighborlng city. they had Ill
expected great things OF him.
He wDIld be rapidly successful be
would distinguish himself in the pro.
fession he had chosen and amass for.
tune; and he would WOO and win
some sweet girl with long row ~
ancestors-the Seelys, being them.
selves 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 a 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
dreams. with her many talents and
substantial inheritance.
II 10 not to be wondered at, there.
fore, that the girls were trsm5l,ps. set +
-eRsefnuss, 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-mportant ques-
ton:
"Who Is she?"
"She is a Miss Dora Berdan at pres
ent." said Harvey smilingly.
"Berdan?" Mrs. Seely repeated, and
raised her brows inquiringly. 81 don't
think | have heard OF the family"
Not at all likely" Harvey rejoincd.
"They are quiet people"
"Berdan!" Mrs. Seely repeated,
musingly. NO; 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. II 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.
.vey 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. "Doras
mother is a widow. She sews for a
lace goods house. and Dora has been
assistant bookkeeper In our estab.
lishment: that is how | met her.
Mrs. Seely groaned.
"A bookkeeper-a seamstress!" she
calculated. "Oh. Harvey. you could
not have done worse!"
"A penniless girl" said his father
solemnly And after all we have
hoped for you! No; II could not be
w0raa"