The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1870-04-08
CHAP TER Y.

CHAP TER '.
Mrs. HARDWOOD had kept her word
as 10 speaking to Sir Stephen. As
she was going up stairs that night sbe
met him, and said. Il want te
speak to you. l know you keep ear.
ly hours, so you can come to my
boudoir before brc akfast?'
"Certainly. I should like to speak
to you at once; but Il suppose it woule
be too much to ask M.- e.
II am afraid I must ask you tt
wait a few hours. l am only sorry
the time is so Short" Mrs. Harewoot
said, laughing. II really canno,
keep awake any longer, so aursvoir;'
and she passed on.
Sir Stephen went to his room rath.
er unhappy. He was not as conceit.
ed as most men, who think they have
only to ask and have. and he really
feared very much that unworldly lit
tie Aimee might refuse him. So
next morning found him in tho bou-
doir, very doubtful and misera bic,
and angry with him self for the posi-
tion he found himself in.
Mrs. Harewood did not keep him
waiting long, and rushed into her
subject at once, saying in the way
she was SO fond Of, half,jest, half
earnest, 81 am very angry with you
for the disgracsful way you firted
with Miss Barlow last night.
"And [ am very angry with you
for speaking to her on tho subject, ;"
Sir Stephen answered, in the same
tone.
"What! she told you! However,
it is all the same. Really, Sir Steph-
en-, it was very wrong of you. do
not much mind people flirting with
girls who know what it's worth, but
it is not fair on poor little Aimee,
and | must beg you will behave diff
ferently to her in future
II hope to do so" he answered,
with a smile, and then q sigh
Mrs. Harewood looked perplexed.
IL don't know what you mean. There
is no need for you to speak to her at
all. Indeed, if you were not going
away tomorrow, l think l should
send her to the nursery with the
-
II hope to stay little longer, if
you will all let me-
II shall be most happy, only you
must promise not to flirt with Al
mee." ..
II promise that solcmnly. Dear
Mrs. Harewood, | can quite believe
| behaved disgracefully. / did not
know what [ was doing. You will
understand when I tell you, I
asked Miss Barlow last night to be
my wits; but l have not been answer
ed yet.
Mrs. Hardwood sprang from her
chair in astonishment. "Aimee!"
was all she could say.
:Yes.'
''But you don't know her!'
''!t does not take long 20 know
some people. The look in her eyes
S almost enough. And to see that
.ittlc darling meaning to 60 out in
she world SO bravely." He stopped
a bruptly and then went on. Il will
spare you raphsody. My mind is
made up. If she refuses me, which
honestly think very likely, l shall
Of course go away tomorrow, and
he subject need never be mentioned
again, unless there is any gossip
about her. Will she come out to
luncheon to-day"
II should think so as Mary is GO
ing."
Then 1 shall try to speak to her
then. l need not keep you any long
,r.' aa - -=
''No, stop please. It would be
charming for Aimee, but have you
thought enough about yourself. La
iy Eastwood
"Ls only too anxious to see me
married to any one, aud there is no
Que | need consider but her, ! know
am too old for Aimee, but if sue
will have mn | shall try to prevent
her ever finding it out. - ....
1T is ridiculous. She is only
seventeen
awe could wait year or two, If
she will have ne, as [ said before
'.She would be mad to refuse you!
Why, they have hardly anything to
live on"
pardon me, Mrs. Hardwood" !"
answered Sir Stephen. with a slightly
scorniul accent, '.you look at the
subject from worldly point of view;
| am sure Miss Barlow would allow
nothing of that sort to weigh with
her.
Mrs. Harewood only looked incrcd-
ulous.
II beg you will not mention the
subject to her, or any one, till have
ber answer .-.....
Certainly not. Ske is dear lit
tie thing, only YOU must pardon me
for not thinking Lerquite good enough
for you Aud SO they went to break
fast very good friends.
Sir Stephen of course looked in
vain for Aimee that morning, aud il
she could have had her own way be
would not have seen her at luncheon.
She felt SO shy that she begged to
be left at home, but Mrs. Harewood
told her to 90 SO peremptorily thai
she dared not refuse. ~
She spent the long drive in per
picked thought. and naturally enough
could nnmn To no no cnnclnS nnl,