The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-04-13
Mrs. Seely wrung her hands despair


shall we endure it?'
81 shall not endure IT," said hel
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 his wife, miserably. "He is
ruined; We are disgraced; and every
body will know 1t.
There was a silence.
81 had pictured her to myself" said
Mrs. Seely. beginning to sob, "as q
young girl-a person of suitable age
| for my poor, misguided boy, decently
educated, and at least lady. And
even then, when l did not doubt that
1t was such one he had chosen.
thought myself the most unhappy
creature in the world, because she
had not wealth and an old name
Surely 1t Is judgment upon us. Oh
was there ever so dreadful 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 tossing
night on every face-in troubled
brows. swollen lids and pale cheeks
and general gloom prevailed.
Mr.. Seely stood in front of the fire.
place, watching the half-door with a
stern face. He was master in his own
house at least. and he was determined
that it should not be disgraced by his
sons wife for another hour.
please get them away before any
body comes, papa!" said Kitty. ct
would be dreadful If anybody were to
see her!"
Dreadful" Margery echoed. with a
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 artifi-
cial. simpering horror?
But it was not the sight they were
prepared to see which the open door
disclosed; it was not a painted pow
dered semblance of a woman who
came in slowly, with a timid smile
and downcast eyes.
1t was a slender. sweet-faced young
lady, with shining brown hair crown
ing charming head, peachy cheeks,
in which the color came and went, and
soft, dark eyes, which studied the
carpet in pretty timidity; with dainty,
siippered feet, and lace-trimmed
wrapper, fitting snugly to a perfect
form.
Good morning." she said, gently.
Harvey had followed her closely.
"Well, Dora." he said, looking from
enc to another of his speechless rela-
tives. quizzically. "they don't seem in
clined to speak to you"
But Margery had come toward her
hastily, and seized both of her hands.
WAS it you all the timer" cried
Margery, joyfully. "And the gray
hair was false. and the wrinkles were
put on. and all that dreadful powder?
Oh, Harvey. how could your"
Il begged him not to-" said the
pretty bride, raising her dark eyes
sweetly. II told him it was cruel;
and such time as had, saying all
those shocking things he had taught
me, and keeping my wig straight, and
trying not to laugh! Shall you ever
forget us?"
Forgive you! Oh. my dear!" cried
Mrs. Seely. incoherently.
And she hurried forward, with
sob of Joy. and embraced her daugh-
ter-in-law wildly.
''It was rather rough" said Harvey,
gaily. 81 felt like a villain when
saw the way you all took it. But
you know what you said, every one of
you-that 1t couldn't be worse I
thought I'd demonstrate to you that
it could. Dora is 10 instead of
40; she can speak correctly when
she makes an effort; and l can heart
lily recommend her for willing and
obliging,' good-tempered and thorough
ly capable girl-the sweetest in the
world"
h Mr.. Seely left the fireplace and
came and clasped his daughter-in-law
in his arms. with beaming face. and
Kitty kissed her effusively.
at was dreadful lesson" said Mrs.
Seely, looking up with fearful smile;
"but / am afraid we needed it, my
son."-Saturday Night.