"Do you know," he added, with a still nearer approach to embarra.s.sment in his manner, and something like a blush on his usually calm face, "I have asked her to become Mrs. Desmond."

"The devil you have!" was my thought as astonishment fairly overcame me. I didn't say it, though, but it was my turn to be embarra.s.sed, and I hardly knew what to say.

Having got it out, Mr. Desmond fairly recovered his equanimity. "Yes,"

he said, "I put the idea away from me for a long time, but it would persist in growing upon me, and I finally concluded that perhaps it might contribute to the happiness of _all_ parties, so I have taken the plunge. I hope you approve of it," he added, with a queer twinkle in his eye.

"With all my heart, sir," I said earnestly; "and I am sure it will be as pleasing as it is surprising to us all."

Throughout that afternoon I was restless, and eager to get home to tell Bessie the wonderful news. It was the longest afternoon I ever saw, but at length it pa.s.sed and I hurried home. As Bessie met me at the door I said eagerly, "I've got a surprise for you, deary."

Now I noticed for the first time that she was all smiles and full of something that she was eager to surprise me with. Simultaneously each recognized that the other had the secret already. Of course; what a fool I was! Her mother naturally enough would tell her while Mr. Desmond broke the matter to me.

"Isn't it jolly?" I said.

"Why, Charlie, are you then so anxious to get rid of poor, dear mamma?"

she said, half reproachfully and half teasingly.

"Oh, no, of course not, but it is really nice for all of us, isn't it now? She won't be far off, you know; we shall have our little home all to ourselves, and Mr. Desmond will be a sort of guardian for us. And as I said before, I think it is jolly."

"Well, I must confess I do not altogether like the idea of mamma marrying again, and I shall miss her very much, after all."

I couldn't help laughing at the little woman's demure countenance, as she said this. There was a little trace of jealousy in her gentle heart-jealousy so natural to women-at the idea of another's taking her mother off, just as that good woman had been jealous at her taking off.

I accused her of it, and she repudiated the idea.

But everybody must admit that things had fallen out just right for all parties, and the shadow was to be taken from our household by a new burst of sunlight, without any heart-burning for anybody, and with nothing but satisfaction for all. It was arranged that the new marriage should presently occur, and the mature couple take a little trip, and surprise George and Clara by being at the Fairview Hotel before them.

Their first knowledge of the turn of affairs was to come when they arrived there late in August, and found their new relations in possession. Bessie and I were to join the party for a brief stay, and so my perplexity was happily ended.

CHAPTER XIV.

A HAPPY PROSPECT.

The landscape is lovely in these latter days of August. The mountains are grand and solemn in their everlasting silence. We are together at the Fairview, and everybody feels free and happy. There is no restraint, and our future prospects are delightful. Before George left home in June he had made application for a vacant chair in the Medical College and presented his credentials and testimonials. He expected nothing from it, he said, but would leave me to look out and see what decision was made.

I had brought with me the news of his appointment. I had also secured for him the refusal of an elegant house which had been suddenly vacated and offered for sale on account of the failure in business of its owner.

It was very near our cottage, had lovely surroundings, was beautifully furnished, and was to be sold with all its contents. It has now been decided between George and Mr. Desmond that it shall be purchased at once, and shall become the legal possession of Clara, being paid for out of her ample fortune, now under her own control, but not yet taken from her uncle's keeping.

Mr. and Mrs. Desmond will take possession of the city mansion, and I have no doubt that its state and elegance will be fully kept up. I see before me happy times for us all, and at last I think we understand and appreciate each other. Our relations being properly and happily adjusted, there will be no more "unpleasantness." And I must acknowledge that, in spite of past feelings and the little clouds that have flecked our sky, sometimes appearing dark and portentous, these happy results are due in no small measure to MY MOTHER-IN-LAW.

THE END.