Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1868-10-16
"Thank you'll" said he, almost In

y
clever, very worthy and deserving
young man." resumed Miss Dash
wood, with unmoved seriousness
"but poor. And you are In love with
one equally perfect, but suffering un-
der the same stigma"
She looked at him seriously now,
with her dark eyes, and he met the
gaze frankly.
"Now we understand each other"
she said, resuning her former tone
and manner; land now we can act
as seems best to us under the circum-
stances. 1t won't do to openly rebel
against these two old fogies-I beg
their pardons-those wise and vener-
able old gentlemen but We can
manage quietly To circumvent them,
and have our own way-can't we?"
Perhaps you have formed some
plan to that effect?" said Philip, half
amused and halt interested.
You shall hear" she answered.
II am told that your dear, delightful
father aimires 'dashing ladies, wants
dashing daughter-in.law and M s..
tress of his establishment. You will
dine tomorrow at Elmwood. Be
sure not to disappoint Mrs. Page, who
Knows all about 1t, and takes a ten
der aud motherly interest in the aft.
| air. We will see whether the old
gentleman is satisfied with his cho-
sen daughter-in-law. But, whatever
occurs, your role, remember, is to be
perfectly charmed. Will you accept
your part, Mr.. Chester ?''
Half laughing, half wondering, he
agreed.
And so they rode on together
through the shadowy wood path /;
Philip Chester liking his companion
far better than he had previously
thought possible of Miss Dashwood.
PART III
Scene second, act first, transports
US to the drawing room, where sat
that good lady, Mrs. Page, in all the
formal dignity of a country dinner
dress, endeavoring to entertain some
half dozen guests, of whom Squire
Chester was one. Seated near All
open Window he was anxiously
awaiting the appearance of Miss
Eastwood, with u vague hope rs to
the effect which might be thereby
produced upon his undutiful son.
That self.willed young man lounged
near, cheerfully conversing with a
lady, while Lena Cameron, very pale
and quiet, was bending over q bit of
embroidery, with fingers that trem-
6led little, and eyes that Were rare
ly uplifted.
Suddenly the sharp notes of n bugle
pierced the ears of the assembled
company.
"There Is Joc!" said Mrs. Page.
II am glad that she is come, as now
we can have dinner"
Joe ?" doubtfully inquired one of
the lady guests.
The Squire looked from the win.
dow as invited, and behcld n figure
In mans hat and coat, az he thought
ana woman's skirt, dashing full
speed up the avenue toward the
house, with half u dozen dogs accom-.
panying. Springing unassisted to
the ground, she proceeded to unloos-
ell the saddle and throw it upon the
ground; then walked several times
round the horse, evidently examin-
ing into his condition, and discussing
the same with the groom who had
now appeared.
LII Squire Chester regarded this un-
expected appearance of his sons cho.
sen wife with any emotions Of sur
prise or disappointment, he mt least
did not express it. On the contrary,
he bowed and shook hands with true
old school gallantry and courtesy, as
that young lady presently entered
the room, followed by two of the dogs
aforesaid, to whom she whistled an
encouragement to enter.
"Oh, my dear, the dogs!" remon-
strated Mrs. Page piteous!y; "we are
not accustomed to having them in
the drawing room"
Dear me! not have dawgs I'm the
drawing room! Why, / have mine
with me everywhere, and all over the
house. Couldn't do without them, I
declare. Like dawgs sir ?" she in
quired with pretty drawl, of her
future father-in-law.
Very much--in their proper place
the old gentleman felt constrained to
say" To which Miss Dash wood re
piled by a just perceptible shrug oI
her graceful shoulders and theI
they went to dinner.
mo turkey, thank you," said she
II never take fowl-its only fit fol
invalids and babies; 50 insipid. III
take some roast beef-rare, If you
piease-thongh / prefer steak and
onions"
And besprinkling the CORY slice
with an abundance of cayenne sauce
Miss Dashw wood commenced her re-
past, while the Squire turned away
he eyes, TO meet those of Lena Gamer
on, his wife's niece, who had been
regarding these proceedings of The
"dashing" young lady with an ex.
preston akin to horror. Poor child
she wasn't I'm the secret. But tho
Squire thought as he looked at her
how very delicate, and refined, and
lady.like she appeared.
i Miss Dashwood declined sherry
but accepted little port instead
though expressing preference fo
French brandy and water. 1t WA
quite the "stylen now, she asserted
for ladies to prefer brandy. Indeed
some even profcssed partiality fo
Bourbon. though she herself consid
cred 1t inferior to brandy i'm point o
taste and real refreshment; and Squir,
Chester felt provoked at the assidui
ty with which his son refilled hel
young lady's glass, and listened ad
lniringly to all she said.
give US some music Joe,n sale
Mrs. Page, when they were again In
tIe drawing room And the Squire
who was devoted to music, look ed vi
and frightened. Ii was one Of hi,
favoritc anticipations. that of his
sons wife playing to him, and soo.h
ing him In his after dinner hour,
with the melodies he loved. Ane
now he came up to the piano an,
stood expectant.
/ Miss Eastwood played rattlinp
prelude, and then suddenly broke in
to a bravaro. which caused one ole
lady to vacate her seat near tile in
strument. The squire, undaunted
kept his post, until hunters song
with all the accompaniment of horn
hound and rider-halloo," overcams
even his courtesy, and he too retired
Now, Lena, one of your favorit,
songs" said her aunt. quietly ane
the girl sat down, and In sweet
low, and somewhat plaintive voice
sang, "Bonnie DOOM" and "Anni,
il Laurie.n
.'That Is the music that I like,n re
marked Squire Chester to his hostess
soto rocc. Whose Charming OLE
songs are worth all the modern fal
de-rals that have ever been written. ;
And he looked thoughtfully at Mis-
Eastwood, and then at Miss Gamer
on. Likewise, he heark ened to til,
discourse now going on between tn,
former and his son.