The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1901-06-01
geleft gtorp.
THEIR DAUGHTER IN-LAW.
Emma 4. Upper. in saturday Fight.


And her daughters Kitty and Margery
echoed her words.
ssCouldn t you have got off for another
week r. said his father, breaking hot
roll carefully. snow that you re part
ner, though
Now that I'm partner, it's hard work
getting off, . responded Harvey Seely.
s1t was all / could do
He paused suddenly.
''What was all you could do n inquired
Kitty.
"Well, said Harvey, laying down his
knife and fork, with beaming smile,
''here goes. Here's the news I've been
saving up for you till the last, from nat
ural modesty 1t was ali | could do to
get things arranged so that | could 60 on
my wedding trip month hence | am
going to be married.
Kitty spoon fell into her saucer with
clatter, and Mr. Seely dropped his roll
hastily.
Married p said Margery breathlessly
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 cemposedly.
She felt, however, that this was an i'm
portant 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 profession he had
chosen and amass a fortune; and he would
woo and win some sweet girl, with long
row of ancestors Seelys, being them
selves good old family, were great re-
specters of blue blood host of accom-
plishments and heavy dowry.
Their hopes had seemed likely to be
fulfilled. Harvey had proved himself
possessed of remarkable business qualities;
he had risen quickly, and had recently ex-
ceeded their widest ambitions 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 dreams.
with her many talents and substantial in
heritance.
1t is not to be wondered at therefore,
that the girls were trembling with eager
ness; that Mr.. Seely fumbled with his
watch chain in nervous suspense, and that
Mrs Seely opened her lips twice before
she found strength to PROFOUND the all
important question:
s'Who is she 2?
4sShe is Miss Dora Berdan at pres
ent, said Harvey smilingly.
'Berdan p Mrs. Seely repeated, and
raised her brows inquiringly. II don't
think have heard of the family. :
''Not at all likely" Harvey rejoined.
s'They are quiet people.
'sBerdan r Mrs Seely repeated, mus
ingly ssNo; have not heard Of them.
Where do they live r
''In Weyman street, responded Har-
vsy.
MRS. Seely fell back in her chair with
little gasp; her husband turned dis
mayed face upon his son; and Kitty and
Margery gave little screams.
ssWeyman street 1t was miles from
the region of aristocracy; it was peopled
with working girls, and seamstresses and
small shopkeepers; with street vendors and
old apple women for all the Seely's knew.
.'Not Weyman street, Harvey? said
his fathsg appealingly.
''Ceftainly; Weyman street, Harvey
repeated
"But she is not-she cannot be of good
family, living in Weyman street p said
Mrs. Seely, anxiously.
''The family is quite respectable, her
son responded quietly. "Dora's mother
is a widow. She sews for lace goods
house, and Dora has been assistant book
keeper in our establishment; that is how |
met her
Mrs. Seely groaned.
"a bookkeeper-a seamstress she
calculated ''Oh, Harvey, you could not
have done worse r
"a penniless girl r said his father,
solemnly. s'And after all we have hoped
for you No; it could not be worse y
"a common working girl + said Kitty,
in choking voice. "And everybody will
know it Oh, Harvey, it couldn't be
worse r
The young man looked from one to
another in astonished, hurt and half-con-
temputous silence.
Margery turned to him, with gentle
sympathy mingling with the dismay in her
face
Perhaps, she said, hopefully-'per
haps there is something to make up? Per
haps she is wonderful beauty, or great
genius, or something's
Harvey gave her grateful smile.
81 think her pretty, of course, he said.
s'But / suppose that's because I'm fond
of her | don think she would be called
a beauty And as for genius S very
clever at accounts; but she doesn't sing,
or paint, or anything of that Sort She's
never had the time or money for such
things, poor girl r
But Margery had turned away with an
impatient gesture.
S'There is nothing then, she said,
despairingly NE; it couldn' be worsep'
Harvey rose from his seat, with an en-
ergy which set the bell in the castor jung
ling.
''This is absurd he said Indignantly.
at is more than absurd; it is unjust and
narrow minded. How sensible-presum-
ably sensible people, Harvey corrected,
rather bitterly "can say, in regard to a
person they have never seen, that it could
not be worse, is past my comprehension. .
1--WE will not talk of it, said Mrs.
Seely, holding up restraining hand
discussion will not mend matters. And
you are to be married next month p
''On the ninth" Harvey rejoined "Of
course you will all be there?" he added,
rather obviously.
''By no meansl' said his father, shortly.
"You could hardly expect it, said
Mrs. Seeley, reproachfuily.
every well, if Mohammed won t
come You We heard the observation
We shall pay you a visit Immediately on
our return from our wedding tour with
your kind permission. You must know
Dora -