The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1870-04-01

d" My matchmaking mother 10
wrong. ! suspect was Miss Ash
lsy's r.ln rcfastion. Aimee had
been watching them inteutly, with =
vague hope that Sir Stephen might
turn to her next, but in vain. He
passed on to Mrs. Hardwood. with
the intention, however, Of asking
questions about Aimee, and went at
once to his subject by saying, IL
want to know who your little protege
is?"
"Miss Barlow? Her father 10
curate at NJ. Your town, though.
Did you never meet hin?'
80 yes, often; but know nothing
Of his family or sntecedents.
ut is sad story Mrs. Barlow
was old Mr.. Howard's only child
You must have met him at my faith
er's. He was our next neighbor,
"Yes, remember seeing Miss
Howard once. Is she Miss Bxrlow's
motber!' Sir Stephen joy at find
iug Aimee's mother belonged to one
of the best families in England was
perhaps unreasonable.
"She was = great friend Of mine.
In those days every one thought she
would be an ilamence hciress. She
was engaged to Mr.. Barlow when
they were both quite young. Mr..
Howard liked him very much. He
had no money, but was very clev-
er, and Mr.. Howard meant him to
stand for the county as soon as ne
left college: In the mean time, how
ever, he become what people call
very good, and thought it his duty
to become q clergyman"
land Mr.. Howard was furious,
and refused his consent?"
eyes. Mrs. Barlow, very rightly,
1 think, would not break of her en-
gagement, and SO they married, and
Mr.. Howard left everything to dis
tant cousin"
"Mr. Barlow looks as if life had
gene hard with him.
"Indeed it has. His health, COM
pletely broke down. from over-work,
few years after their marriage, and
my husband managed to get him the
chaplaincy at S.. Wrctched pay,
but the Italian climate quite restored
his health, and, feeling quite well, he
thought it his duty, two years ago,
to take that curacy at M-"
Il should say his health was Civ
ing way again.
"Most likely. He is one of those
good but tiresome men who ought not
to marry. have no patience with
man in his position, recklessly
throwing away his life with wife
aud children depending upon him. -
II am afraid we are hardly good
enough ourselves to understand him, :"
Sir Stephen added, gravely. "Miss
Barlow told me she was going to be
a governess," he added.
Mrs. Barlow wrote to ask me if l
knew Of anything for her, so l asked
her to como here to meet Mrs. Dan
vcrs, and see if she would do for her
little girls
DO. Sir Stephen felt very angry
that such q word should be applied
to Aimee; and then be wondered why
he should care; and the answer would
come, that, odd and unsuitable
though it might seem this young girl
had taken the place in his heart
which he had thought was empty for
ever.
While he was coming to this con-
clusion round game was proposed
and he went to the youthful end Of
the room.
You will play, Aimee?" asked
Mary Harcwood.
II don't know how."
Then I'll teach you," said Sir
Stephen. "We'll bank together.
Everlasting 'Pips, l suppose Mary?"
Very pleasant Aimee found the
game, and though most Of the party
hated the very sight Of the cards and
counters, they lore their fate man
fully, and the evening wore away.
with fair show of mirth.