The mountain Democrat., 1863-10-24
THE EARL's DILEMMA.
BIZ TUE AUTHOR OF ASHLEY,


in its size and in the revenues attached to
it-Sat Mrs. Ashton. She was an elegant {
woman, tall and fair, but her black satin
dress sat loose upon her shrunken figure,
and her point lace cap looked too ich for
her pale, resigned face. Long an invalid,
the fever had fatally shattered her, the
change to the sea side had not been pro
ductive Of much benefit, and the convic-
tiOn was gaining on her, gently and grad
ually, that her lease of life was drawing
to o close.
ADDe sat near to her; less tall than her
mother, but an elegant girl, with sweet
cOuntenance. and dark brown eyes and
hair. She was busy with some sort of
work, but every now and then lifted her
face TO look at her mother.
Mamma, don't you feel tired p
Not particularly so, Anne. Why
You have not spoken q single word
since Mrs Graves left
4 was thinking over something she told
me-
Something fallen out of order in the
parish or the schools? Never mind, dear;
| and papa will have it all right again by
the time you are strong enough to come
out. Mrs. Graves is very kind and good ,
but she is rather fault finder
Anne, are you doing that wrong?'
i think not, mamma. 1t is the way |
understood you to say
She held out her work as she spoke:-
Mrs. Ashton saw it was right, and relaps-
ed into silence.
ANNE she presently began again, in n
slow tone, is it not strange that Percival
ElSter does not Gomez
A monentary change of countenance,
and then Anne looked and smiled.
Mamma, you never will remember his
new honorS.'
You are right, child. But the familiar
name OF life time is not easily laid aside
This is the third day since our return, and
he has never once been here
i cannot think but he is absent or i'll,
replied Anne.
Neither one or the other,' returned her
mother. Your papa saw him at a dis
tance yesterday, and Mrs. Graves met him
this morning. There is no GOODNESS no
misunderstanding between your
| None whatever, mamma. How should
there be? 1t vas only two days before
We came home that heard from him.
'Anne'-MrS Ashton spoke in u low un.
certain voice. as if doubtful how her re-
/ quest would be received--'have you anv
great objection to let ME read the letter ?
Anne looked startled for an instant,
then blushed. smiled, and finally left the
loom for the letter. 1 have no objection,
mamma, she said, handing it to her moth
er on her return. 4 suppose you had
love letters yourself once, and know what
they are?'
Mrs. Ashton read it rapidly, folded and
returned it to Anne.
Very short, she remarked, but not
unsatisfactory
He knew we were about returning
home, mamma, and could see me instead
o. writing
Yet he does not seem to avail himself
of it, remarked Mrs. Ashton. Can you
wheel my writing table closer, chld?
is it anything | can write for you,
mammal
No, l want to write to Lord Hartle-
don?'
Mamma y uttered Anne in conStcrna-
ton, You are notgoing to ask him to
Gomez
Yes am. my dear; but not to see you;
to see me. | have something to say to
him. There, said Mrs. Ashton, when
she had written her brief note, you can
: read it before inclose it.
MY DEAR PERcIvAL-Can you spare
me five minutes visit? wish to SPEAK
with you. Ever sincerely yours,
IATHARINE AsuToN.
Seal il for me, Anne
Anne had the taper alight and the wax
in her hand, when the door was thrown
open by servant.
Lord Hartledon.'
lie came in hurried manner talking
too fast, making too much fuss It vas
unlike him. and consequently unnatural
AS he shook hands with Mrs. Ashton, she
held the note before him.
You have arrived fortunately, Percival.
See what | was about to send YOU
4 was coming in yesterday said Lord
HartledOn, but was prevented. | am
much occupied now; an old college friend
is staying with me. You have heard me
talk of him, Anne, Mr.. Carr
Anne, my DEAR said Mrs. Ashton, Il
have few words to say to Lord Hartle-
don. Will you leave us?'
She took her work and left the room,
wondering much, and not feeling alto
gether at ease. Mrs. Ashton turned to
her visitor.
'Pvrcival-I cannot forget the old ia
miliar name, you see
4 hope you never will forget it, warm
ly interposed the earl.
"A strange report has reached me this
morning. know that there must be some
mistake, and thought it better to tell it
to you, plainly and confidentially. before
it gets to any other ear. 1t was, that YOU
were going to marry Lady Maude Kirton.'
The earl's face became like the sun in
fog, cloudy and crimson.
'Who on earth could have invented
that?: he stammered, having no better
answer at hand
MRS. Graves mentioned it to me. She
was dining at Hartledon last week. AMI
she said that the countess Dowager spoke
about it openly
Mrs. Ashton looked at the earl, and the
earl. confused and conscience. stricken,
looked down on the carpet. He was de-
voutly wishing himself in the remote saw.
age regions he had spoken of to Mr.. Carr.
his unhappy body painted. and taft Of
peacock's feathers on his head. what
am to dor thought be, rubbing his hot
face. 4 will be true to Anne; love her
better than Maude, and-what can say
nowY
You do not speak, said Mrs. Ashton.
I was thinking he answeTed--think-
ing what had given rise to this. believe