The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-11-28

| suddenly the sn2rp notes OF OuSi0 plerceC
| the ears of the assembled company.
There is Joe y'said Mrs, Page. II am glad
she is come, as now we can have dinner"
"Joe?' doubtfully inquired one Of the lady
guests.
The squire looked from the window, as invited
and behsld figure in a mans hat and coat, as
he thought, and woman's skirt, das hing full
| speed up the avenue toward the house, with hall
| . dozen dogs accompanying. Springing unassisted
| to the ground, she proceeded to unloosen the
saddle and threw it upon this ground, then
walked several times round the horse, evidently
examining into his condition, and discussing the
same with the groom who had now appeared
If Squire Chester regarded this unex pected
appearance OF his sons chosen wife with any
emotions of surprise or disappointment. he at
least did not express it. On the contrary, he
bowed and shook hands with true old school
gallantry and courtesy, as that young lady pre-
sently entered the room, followed by tive of the
dogs aforesaid, to whom she whistled an en-
couragement to enter.
ooh, my dear, the dogs" reconstructed Mrs.
Page. piteously; 1--WE are not accustomed to hav-
ing them in drawing-rooms."
"Dear me not have dawgs in the drawing
room! Why, have mine with me everywhere,
and all over the house. Couldn't do without
them, declare. Like dowgs, sir ?" she inquir-
ed, with pretty drawl, of her future father
in-law.
Every much-in their proper place. the old
gentleman felt constrained to say. To which
Miss Eastwood replied by just perceptible
shrng of her graceful shoulders; and then they
went in to dinner.
'No eyihank you, "isaid she, 81 never eat
fowl-it's only fit for invalids and babies; so in
sipid. I'll take some roast beef-rare, if you
please-though prefer steak and onions'
nd haeO riukl he wifi bup
dance of cayenne sauce, Miss Eastwood common
ced her repast, while the squire turned away his
eyes, meeting those of Lena Cameron, his wife's
niece, who had been regarding these proceedings
of the "dashing" young lady with an expression
akin to horror. Poor child she wasn't in the secret
But the Squire thought as he looked at her, how
very delicate, and refined, and lady-like she
appeared
Miss Eastwood declined sherry, but accepted
little port instead-though expressing a pre-.
ference for French brandy and water. 1t was
quite the 'style' now, she asserted, for ladies to
prefer brandy. Indeed, some even protested "a
partially for Bourbon, though she herself con.
sdered it inferior to brandy in point of taste and
real refreshment; and Squire Chester felt pro-
voked at the assiduity with which his son refill
ed the young lady's glass, and listened admiring-
ly to all she said.
"Give Us some music, joe" said Mrs. Page,
when they were again in the drawing-room. And
the Squire who was devoted to music, looked up
and frightened 1t was one of his favorite an
ticipations, that of his sons wife playing to him.
and soothing him in his after-dinner hours with
the melodies he loved And now he came up to
the piano and stood expectant.
Miss Dashwood played rafting prelude, and
then suddenly broke into bravura, which caus-
ed one old lady to vacate her seat near the in
strument. The Squire, undaunted, kept his post,
until a hunters song with all the accompani-
ment of "horn, hound and rider-halloo." over
came even his courtesy, and he too retreated.
Snow, Lena, one of your favorite songs" said
her aunt, quietly and the girl sat down, and in
sweet, low, and somewhat plaintive voice, sang
Bonnie Doon,' and "Annie Laurie"
THAT is tho music that / like" remarked
Squire Chester to his hostess. S0fo gOce. "Those
charming old songs are worth all the modern
falderals that have ever been written" And he
locked thcughtfully at Miss D4shwood and then
at Miss Cameron Likewise he hardened to the
discourse that was going on between the former
and his son.
81 do so doat on horses" observed the young
lady. 81 couldn't be happy under any circum-
stances, without at least two ofmy own rider
and hunter | delight in hunting wherever it
is to be had, and generally on that account, pass
my summers among the mountains though deer
are becoming very scarce and woodcUcll almost
as much 50. 1 wish VS. had fox hunting here as
in England / prefer novels where fox hunting
comes in-"Guy Livingston, for instance. What
a splendid fellow he was and what humdrum
country is ours, where there is hardly anything
to amuse one except the theatres Ii I had my
own way L should De an actress. I've always
had an inclination for the stage, and really think
L should malie good actress. Don you think
so, Mr.. Chester 7"
Capital y responded that young nan, with
emphasis, and pleased, halt amused, and half
earnest looE. which didn't escape his watchful
sire, though he did not understood it,
Hes asninny !" was the mental reflection OF
the latter. What sort OF wife would such q
woman maie:' was his next involuntary
thought, until it suddenly occurred 70 him, with
like shock, tlatthis va' really, after
all, the most suitable sphere FOR her.
you must see my Bsslzebub," resumed Miss
Eastwood, enthusiastically; such charming
creature full OF spirit, yet traotble and ahec-
tlonate, that l assure you sir" addressing the
Squire, "he'll walk into the breakfast room and
drink out Of your coiFeo-cupSt the table,
This assurance appeared TO have no particular
charm for Squire Chester, for he turned away
with very little ceremony Miss Eastwood went
up stairs on some GRAND, and they hear her
whistleing as she crossed the hall
'Philip," whispered the Squire, 81 think, we'd
better be going"
'Not yet, sir. Miss Dashwood is about to show
me her new pistols and then she will teach me
a new game with cards, and afterwards we ere to
go to the stables"
"Go to Uhere ?"
"To the stables, sir, to look at the horses"
The Squire cast on him look of concentrated
indignation
us that's Miss Eastwood, or Joe or whasev-
er else she is called, u man or a woman"
"Tho latter, presume, sir. 1t is the fashion