CHAPTER XXXIII.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 322, 5 December 1888, Page 3

CHAPTER XX XII I.

A WEDDING TN I'KOSVKCT. At that moment; a servant, appeared a^ th&door, and \va^ about to enter upon some rifling errand. Seeing the eager, intent look upon the faces of both men, she quickly withdrew, unobserved. Geoffrey sat up ama/cd. 'Surely you camnfc mean that — rhat Glad.ys is'-togo as my wife? 1 lie exclaimed, flushing Jiotly. '.A.-neTwhy not? You expect to marry Gladys some time,' wa-> che calm leply. j ' Yes, 1 hope so, Uncle August ; but lam uot now in a position to properly- take care of a wife. 1 'But we are going to pay you a good salary and defray your travelling; expenses also, if you go abroad for us,' said Mr Huntress. 'You will have to be away for several months, and 1 know that Gladys will grieve sadly over the separation. I have given the subject a good deal of thought, and have talked it over with mother. Gladys wants a trip abroad, we want her to have it too, and neither of no feels like crohsine the ocean, therefore we have decided that the best arrangement for all parties, Avill be to have a wedding and send you two off together on . a bridal trip. Of course we shall miss our daughter — we shall miss \ou both for that matter; but the earlier you go the sooner we shall have you back again. What do you think of the proposition ">' ' Nothing could give me greatei happiness than to have my dearest hope- '-ealised in this unexpected man net ; but I had made up my mind not to claim the fultiment 01 Gladys's promise to me until I could make a place for myself in the world, and provide a generous support for her,' Geoffrey replied with still heightened colour. ' Nonsense ' ' began Mr Huntress^ and then suddenly checked himself. ' Xo. it isn't nonsense either, 1 he added, * such a resolve was both a wi^e and a noble one, and worthy of you, GeoiY. Under different circumstances I should teel that it would be wiser for you to wait until you Mere established in some profitable busine-s. Somebody, however, must go abroad for the firm. 1 do not want to, neither of the other partners can leave, and so we have agreed to send someone in my place. Besides this, I am what would be teimed a rich man, though I haven't as much as the Astors or Vanderbilts, and all that I hove will some day belong to Gladys— except a little slice that 1 had made up my mind to lay aside for you — and she may as well begin to i*eap the benefit of it now. I want her to see the old country, she is just fresh from school and in the right trim and mood to enjoy it ; she would grieve and mope to have you go and leave her behind, so I want you to go together. I know that you would have a jolly time of it. So we will have a little knot tied befoiehand, to make everything all right; and proper, and then you may enjoj r your honeymoon to your heart's content.' Geoffrey's heart was beating with great heavy throbs of joy over these plans. No thought of any such delightful scheme had for an instant entered his mind ; indeed, he had feared that it would be a long time before he should feel that he had a right to ask Gladys to be his wife, and now every obstacle had been removed, and an easy path to the very rummit of his hopes laid out for him. c Well, Geoff/ continued Mr Huntress, who had been watching him while something of this was passing through his brain, ' what lies heavy on your mind now ? you look as sombre as if I had been plotting to separate a pair of lovers, instead of giving them to each other with my fondest bless ing.' Geoffrey, looked up with gleaming eyes. ' I am anything but ' sombre ' over your proposition, Uncle August. I am simply trying to realise my great happiness,' he said, in a voice that vibrated with *joy ; ' but, what will Gladys herself say to this plan ?' 'Go ask her, my boy. I'll bet a big apple she won't say 7ie>,' returned the gentleman, with a sly wink and a chuckle, 'Hold on a minute, though, Geoff,' he added, as the young man sprang to his feet to obey him, ' I want to tell you a little more about the business part of the plan, before you get immersed in the lovely part of it. You've three months yet before you, as we do not want you to sail before the last of December, or the first of January — rather cold weather for a pleasure trip across the Atlantic, eh ?' and he shivered at the thought ; ' but we can't have everything just of we want it. Another thing — owing to some details connected with our Boston house — you will be obliged to sail from that city instead of going direct from New York.' *We occasionally have some very pleasant weather in January ; perhaps the fates will be propitious and give us a pleasant passage,' said Geoffrey, smiling ; ' besides, I think I have heard that some of those Boston steamers are fully as comfortable and safe as those running from New York.' ' Well, comfort yourself all you can, my boy. I don't envy you, however,' retorted the elder gentleman, with a grimace. 'Meantime,' he continued, 'we shall want you over at the office to receive instructions and to gain a little knowledge regarding your duties on the other side.' ' I do not care how soon you seb me at work,' Geoffrey eagerly replied, for he was longing with all his heart to become a man of business, and to feel that he was really doing something toward providing for his bride. ' I imagine that we shall all have enough to do if there is to be a wedding,' said Mr Huntress, smiling, ' for mother and I want to marry our only daughter off in good shape, you know. There, that is all just now : you may gp,ans "find out how Gladys feels about ity*r* ' ' *"-- Geoffrey /departed with a boundirfg heart, yet hardly able to realise the good fortune that had so unexpectedly fallen to his lot. He found Gladys in the music-room running through some new pieces which he had purchased for her the day before. He went up to her, captured the two email hands that were evoking such sweet strains from the piano, and drew her to a small sofa that .stood near. c My darling, I haVe a very important communication to make to you,' he said, bending, /bo ward her and fondly touching hec fprefiead with his Hds. .«.' Very important?' ' she.repeated,archly. You loo&£8 if it was Very pleasant, too.' ' It is to^e, and I hope it will prove the same to you! "'" ' What *Ho you suppose our paterfamilias has been proposing to me this morning ?' the young man .asked with a luminous face. The beautiful girl thought -a moment before replying, the quick colour leaping toiler cheeks. 'I believe I can guess it,' she exclaimed, clasping her hands with a gesture of delight. ' Oh, Geoffrey, is he going to take^ us all to Europe'?' That ; is it!' slie "added, exultantly, f I know by your tell-tale face. How pwfeotly ohafming !', , , ' '

I Geoffrey smiled wisely. "' You have guessed too much and too little, my sunbeam,' he said. ' What a paradoxical statement ! my ■learned 'Bachelor of' A'fts^! >I expected better things of you,' retorted Gladys, merrily. ' *• \ ' ; ' X"ou have yet to' r iind my statement true, in spite of the-'sieeming paradox," he replied, with mock dignity. • Somebody is going to E m ope — we arc nob all going, 'however.' 1 Oh, Geoff ■ you am not to be left at home, are you ?' cried hi& befcrobhe x d, in a disappointed tone, her face paling ab the thought. 'Guess again, my lady,' he baid, fceasingly. ' Well, t know thai papa would not go without mamma, and I am sure she would never cross the ocean without him, and they certainly would not take such a trip and leave me behind,' responded Gladys, with a puzzled air. ' ' Pluto, thou rea&onest well, 5 ' quoted Geoffrey, an amused twinkle in his ej'os ; ' and not to keep you longer in suspense, I will -inform you that Uncle August has some business abroad, which, as he cannot make up his mind to the voyage, he thinks I can attend to, and 1 he has proposed that I take you along with mo. We are to have a six months' trip, combine business with pleasure, and get all the enjoyment we can out of it.' Gladys gave one startled, astonished glance at her lover's face as he concluded, and then her face clouded and hei on c-;> diopued beneath his. 'Did — papa' propose bhat to 3011 V' she asked, in a low tone, a burning blubh suffusing her face. • Yes, dear. He said you had long wanted to go abroad, and he thought this would bo a fine opportunity for both of us. Doesn't the idea please you ?' (Jeoffrey knew well enough what was ■ pa&sing in her mind, but he was so jubilant and -so confident of the issue of the interview that a spirit of mischief possessed him to tea?e her a little. 'I should love to go abioad — I have always longed to ero, as papa says,' Gladys answered gravely, and with still downcast eyes ; ' but— l do not think 1 can go without papa and mamma.' 'Why?' returned Geoffrey, in pretended surprise. ' Uncle August thought, as you and I were both fresh from school, we should appreciate and enjoy the sight-seeing much better to go together.' 'It would be lovely, but— Geoff, you know I cannot qo — so,' she persisted, with a crimson face, and a suspicious tremor in her voice. He gathered her close into his arms, and laid her head against his breaso. • Darling, forgive me for teasing you,' he said. 'Of course you cannot qo — ' so ' ; but, Gladys, will you go with me as :ny wife ?' He could feel the quick bounding of her heart ao this unexpected proposition, and he knew well enough that she* would raise no more -ejections to the trip abroad. He f hen repeated theconversation that had passe I between her father and himself that morning, telling her how surprised he had been at the plan, and how, at first, he had hardly felt it right to adopt it, considering his, rather doubtful position in life. Still, he had reasoned, if he could save Mr Huntress from a dreaded journey in the dead of winter and if his services were to be worth the generous sum he had named as his salary, he might feel justified in waiving his own scruples and in accepting the great happiness offered him, though he never would have dreamed of proposing such a measure himself. 'My Gladys,' he said, in conclusion, 'it i a very sudden, and there is only a little time before I must go. Will you come with me, or must I go by myself v ' There was a minute of silpnee, then Gladys raised her head, and laid her lips softly against her lover's cheek. • Under such circumstances, you may be very sure that I shall not let you go alone,' she murmured with a happy little laugh. His arms closed more fondly about her. He bent and kissed her lips, his face radiant with joy. {Oh ! my darling, who would have believed eight or nine years ago that such happiness could fall to tht> lot of the poor boy whom you rescued from a mob in the street ?' he said, in a tremulous tone. They discussed their anticipated trip fully and freely after this, laid out their route, and formed many a pleasant plan for the coming years. The whole family held a council that evening, and it was decided that preparations for the wedding should be entered upon immediately, and that the marriage should occur just previous to the sailing of the steamer on which the couple would embark for Europe. Mr and Mrs Huntress found it somewhat trying to contemplate the loneliness which they knew would follow the departuie oi their children, but they believed that the arrangement would be for their interest and happiness, and thsy would not mar their joy by giving expression to any feeling of sorrow or regret. Geoffrey at once entered upon his duties, and with an enthusiasm and energy that promised well for the future ; while Mrs Huntress and Gladys busied themselves about the interesting mysteries of a wedding trousseau and preparations for the grand reception that was to follow the marriage ceremony in Plymouth Church somewhere about the last of December or the first of January. While all these events were transpiring in Brooklyn, Evereb Mapleson was living in a state of depressson and unrest in his beautiful home near Richmond. After his trip to' that mining district in New Mexico, where he had visited the grave and former home of Annie Dale, he returned immediately to Vue de l'Eau, where he remained, appearing very little like the free and easy student who had been so full of life and hope afc the conclusion of his college course. Colonel Mapleson and his wife returned from Newport about the same time, and both wondered what could have occurred to change their son thus in so short a time. Mrs Mapleson attributed it to hie hopeless attachment fco the beautiful girl whom she had seen afc Yale, and for whom Everet had ,. confessed his love: but she could not get one word from him on the Bubject, although she had- tried to gain his confidence upon several occasions. 'Father.' said*. the^younp^ man, coming; into fcheii brary one Sftbrnwg' after the household had settled into its usual • routine, ' while you were away I visited the -Hermitage, and made a singular discovery there.' •Ah ? I imagined evei'y thing of a singular character had disappeared from fchab place when Robert Dale departed this life. What was, the nature of your discovery, pray?' Colonel Mapleson remarked, looking up from the newspaper that) he was reading, and removing his spectacles. Everefc described his visit to the place, told of his energetic blow upon the desk and -its .results,* and: then produced the packages 'of certificates, and" picture which' he had " found, to. prove His vstatement». ' ' - "'" ' - ' WfcH, this is ft singular discovery, I con'

fess,' said his father, when he had finished. 1 Let me have a look ab that picture. 1 He held out his hand, and upon receiving ■ it he turned to the light to oxaraine it. ■'- (!* bhis^musO>bo 'a:liUenesS\Qfe Mrs Dale ; it resembles her strikingly, although she was greatly changed,^andstihiS must liavo been taken many years previous to my, acquaintance, with her! ' i \ '■ ',<»'. ■''; , ' Then you knew her,' said his son. ' i ' Oh, yes ; I've' eaten' many a fine cookie baked by her hands during- my boyhood,' replied Colonel Mapleson, musingly. ' ,Poor Robert Dale ! so he treasured his love for her as long as he lived '' <■ 'And lie "has left all this money to^ her daughter,' said • Eveuet, touehinsv the packago of • certificates that lay. on, the table.' 'It would have been more to the purpose if he had given' the family some of it whileHhey were suffering the stings of poverty, 5 Colonel Mapleson remarked, his attention slillrivoted upon tho picture. 'Did you know the datighter?' Everat inquired. • ■ i 1 Yes - - 111 1 had some acquaintance , with, her.' ' Were they so very poor ?' ' Well, they had a pretty hard tune ot it, I reckon, for a while ; but I did not realise' it at the time, for I was very young and only visited Uncle Jabez during my vaca-, tion — you know he sent me to Baltimore to school. Uncle Jabcss gave thorn a cottago rent free, and gave them something beside to help eke out a small annuity that'Virfc Dale had, and that was all they had to live upon until they opened, a small private school. After I came into possession of the estate I allowed them to remain » in the j cottage, the same as before, although they would not accept -from me "the money that they had received from Uncle. Jabes— they weie very proud.' ' Then that cottage belongs to you ?' Everet remarked. ♦Yes.' ' Has it ever been occupied since the , Dale 3 left it ?' | 'No.' I 'To whom does the furniture belong V \ ' How do you know that ib is furnished ?' Colonel Mapleson asked, turning around and glancing at his son. Everet coloured. ' I was riding by there one day and t'elb a curiosity to look inside the house ' ' But the curtains are all drawn,' interrupted his father. ' True ; but I managed to get a glimpse for all that,' the young man returned, lightly, although he did not care to tell just how he had learned that fche house was furnihhed. 'By the way,' he continued, ' there is some btrange story about the disappearanco o Mrs Dale's daughtei', isn't there ?' • Yes, I believe so ; she went away somewhere' to get a place as governess, and as she never came back, people imagined there was some mystery about it.' • What is your theory regarding it V Everet asked. 'My theory. I don't know as I have any ; 1 was away travelling at that time. She may have gone as governess into some family who afterwards went abroad, taking her with thorn ; or, what is more likely, she may have married and removed to borne distant portion of the country.' ' One would suppose that she would have wished to dispose of the furniture in her home before going away permanently,' Everet obseived. 4 Oh, the furniture belongs with the cottage— didn't I tell you?' replied his father. ' No, you didn't', said Evoret, dryly, and thinking old Jabez Mapleson must have been pretty lavish with his money to have furnished the cottage in such a luxurious sty ] c for his poor relatives. 'At all events,' he continued, 'it is strange that 3he did not communicate her plans, whatever they were, to someone whom she had known, isn't it ?' • Well, perhaps ; but it seems to me that you are strangely interested in the fate of this girl, Ev.' and his father turned about and looked him squarely in the face, as he said this. Again the young may coloured. • I don't see anything very l'emai'kable about it, when I have just discovered a fortune for her,' he replied, after a moment of hesitation. ' Well, no ; there is something in thab argument, surely,' returned his father, in a tone of conviction. • How much does it amount to ?' and Colonel Mapleson took up the certificates and bbeane c an to examine them.