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

Seely, gazing at her daughter.in'law
with dreadful fascination, and the
girls, sinking into chairs In dismayed
silence.
well, mother" said Harvey, light
ly, "of course a new addition to the
family is an object of interest; but
don't forget that I have an appetite,
and getting married has rather i'm
proved II. Take off your bonnet. my
own. Here, Kitty"
Kitty came forward with set face
and tightly-closed lips. to receive the
marvellous combination Of beads and
silk flowers held out to her with a
disgusting air of sprightliness. She
was afraid to trust herself to speak.
Poor Mrs. Seely, sick at heart. had
made her way to the bell and rang 1t,
and dinner came down presently.
Turtle soup!" the bride observed,
looking round the table with girlish
smile; "aint nothing admire SO!
Just pass that celery, father.in'law.
Delicious! amt 1t, darling?"
Extremely, my dear" said the
bridegroom, c0mplacently.
Ignorant and vulgar! What dread
full things would they discover next?
It was an evening they never for
got. The unfortunate parents sat with
pale faces and unsteady hands, star:
ing into their. empty plates, or looking
at each other with fresh horror at
each simper!ng, senseless. ingram
NAUTICAL remark of their terrible daugh.
| ter.in.law.
Kitty and Margery excused them
| selves during the second course, and
few to their rooms to cry themselves
to sleep. in an agony Of dismay and
modification.
81 shant think Of setting up" said
the bride, rising from the table with
an apologize giggle. and with the last
of her dessert held aloft. I'm too
wore out II anybody calls-o' course
everybody'll call-just tell 'em I'll see
'em tomorrow. Come on. dear!"
And she tripped up stairs. with
juvenile nod over her shoulder. and
with her beaming young husband fol.
lowing.
Mrs. seely wrung her hands despair.
ingly.
1--WE said 1t could not be worse"
she said, family. "But this How
shall we endure it?"
81 shall not endure IT," said her
husband; his face had grown almost
careworn during the last two hours.
81 shall send them packing tomorrow,
and IL ever he enters my house
| again"
He brought his hand down on the
table threateningly.
"But that will not help matters"
| said bis wife. Hlserably. HE Is
body will know 1t.
| There was silence.
IL had pictured her to myself" said
Mrs. Seely. beginning to sob, "as a
young girl-a person Of suitable age
for my poor, misguided boy, decently
educated. and at least q lady. And
even then, when did not doubt that
It was such a one he had chosen. I
thought myself the most unhappy
creature in the world. because she
had not wealth and an old name.
Surely It is a judgment upon u.s.. Oh,
was there ever so dreadful a thing?"
Probably not" said her husband,
grimly.
It was solemn group which waited
In the dining room, next morning, for
the appearance of the newly-wedded
couple.
There were marks Of a tossing
night on every face-in troubled
brows. swollen lids and pale cheeks
and q general gloom prevailed.
Mr.. Seely stood in front OF the FIRE.
place, watching the halfdoor with
stern face. He was master in his own
house at least. and he was determined
that 1t should not be disgraced by his
sons wife for another hour.
Please get them away before any
body comes, papa!" said Kitty. ut
would be dreadful II anybody were to
see her!"
Dreadful" Margery echoed. with q
groan.
There were footsteps on the stairs.
Mrs. Seely turned with shiver, and
the girls caught their breath.
The hall door opened.
The waiting group looked UP slow
ly. Would she not be still more terri
BILE in the broad daylight-that artifl-
cial, simpering horror?
But It was not the sight they were
prepared to see which the open door
disclosed; 1t was not painted pow
| dered semblance OF a woman who
came in slowly, with a timid smile
| and downcast eyes.
It was slender. sweet-faced young
lady. with shining brown hair crown.
ing charming head. peachy cheeks,
in which the color came and went, and
| eoff dark avaa which etudjed the