Life — April 7, 1892 — page 8: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

214 were very wealthy and received her as cordially as the immeasurable social gulf between them would permit. Now a great surprise was in store for Hester. The day after her arrival she had occasion to enter the palatial draw- ing-room of her new home, and there, to her amazement and joy, she saw the old General on the wall. She was very happy and at once felt more at home. But the General seemed to have changed since they met, She noticed that his eyes, stead of meeting hers with the old time smile, looked coldly over her head and with a much less amiable expression. She soon found, however, that when they were alone he beamed pleasantly upon her, but im- mediately resumed his haughty and far- away look when any of the family entered the room. The only reason she could think of for such conduct was that he objected to being taken for an ancestor of the family, although as a family they were aristocratic enough for any ancestor. A CRUEL SNUB FROM THE PABILY They wallowed in style and were recking with fashion. For all that is pompous and hollow they had a deep and honest reverence. But this was not true of the eldest son whose simple tastes and honest instincts were a perpetual mortification to his mother. He also had the good taste to fall deeply in love with Hester the first time they met. On Christmas eve there was a great dinner at the house, and all the members. of this complacent family were there, and also several others related to them by marriage; and even others who were not related. But all were prosperous and comme tl faut, and absolutely correct in manner and deportment according to the latest information from abroad. Consequently they were startlingly original and interesting. After dinner the eldest son followed Hester into the library, and when he asked her to be his wife she could not say him nay, for her heart was already his. As the library was dimly lighted, they observed the ceremonies that usually attend occasions of this nature; after which he led her into the palatial drawing-room where all the family and guests were assembled. Then he announced the good tidings. All eyes were fixed upon them and it was a very embarassing moment for Hester. After her lover had made the announce- ment there was a chilling silence. Her embarassment became an agony, and she tottered and nearly sank to the floor when the haughty father said slowly, with a contemptuous expression : “Never, with my consent, shall you marry one so far beneath you.” Then the outraged mother, her face flushed with anger, exclaimed : “ Never, with my consent, shall you disgrace your family by such a mésallz- ance!” By this time all the mothers of marriageable sons had fixed their despising gaze angrily upon the blushing girl. The hot blood rushed to her face. Her knees were bending beneath her and the whole room began to swim about, : when she was recalled to consciousness by an astounding sight. As her appeal- THEJUSUAL CEREMONIES, ing eyes sought instinctively those of her old friend on the wall, she saw him comicbooks.com