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

Very comparatively stupid, Sir
Stephen found the rest of the jour.
ncy, and was very glad to reach the
Birchlsigh Station, where a servant
was waiting, who announced that
Mrs. Harcwood was waiting for Miss
Barlow.
She was driving herself in a low
pony-carriage, and greeted Aimee
most cordially. II drove over for
you myself, because I thought it
would he less formidable for you than
arriving alone. Sir Stephen you
must try to ind room in the dog
Charles expected you by the next
train.'
II found this train suited me bet
ter. shall enjoy the wsl.,to Birch
leigh, thanks. What time, though,
do you dino:'
Eight, SO ysu have plenty of
time, unless you lose your way in
the dark. Au urevoir..' and the spir.
tied little ponies started briskly
homewards.
Aimee was at once fascinated by
Mrs. Hardwood. She looked so
sunnily bright and young, that it
seemed incredible she could be her
mothers cotemporary.
Dear little thing?' she began, in
her rich, sweet voice, as they drove
of; "your mother tells me this is the
Grst time you have left home alone
l hope you will try to be happy with
us You know, long ago. your dear
mother was my greatest frisnd.'
Mrs. Harewood sighed, and thon
went on, 81 never can persuade her
TO come and see NE now.'
90; mamma never leaves home,
even for day!' exclaimed Aimee.
"She is mush too bnsy.'
Mrs. Harewood mused on the diff
fe e.ent lives Of herself and her friend;
then, as the thought returned to her,
she asked DO you know Sir Stcph-
Ell Dnshw ood well?"
Il never saw him till to-day. He
knows papa.
Hes still rather young to chap
erone young ladies.' thought Mrs
Harewood; and wishing to get to the
bottom of the mystery, if mystery
there were, she continued. -
Mrs. Barlow asked him to take
care Of you?'
mo. He got into the same car
riage at NJ. He told me himself
who he was
Mrs. HARDWOOD thought all might
not be going we'll for Miss Ashley,
but she did not like to commence
her acquaintance with Aimee by
a lecture on propriety Of behavior.
and therefore devoted herself to
amusing her guest by light talk on
unimportart subjects.
1t seemed long while before they
reached Birchleigh to Aimee, and
she was very glad when Mrs. Hare
wood led her into the morning-room,
looking so bright and CHEEKY after
the twilight and drizzling rain out
side A young girl rose from low
easy -chair as they entered.
"Mary, darling, here is Miss Bar
low. Aimee, l think we must call
you, dear. Do give her some tea
quickly. We are cold and wet. l
suppose the Ashleys are not GOMEZ"
mo, mamma, but they ought to
be here now. Is Sir Stephen Gomez"
Eyes bnt he would walk. I hope
he will enjoy this wet evening. How
do you do. dear Mrs. Ashlcy!'
Thereupon ensued great kissing
and handsbakings as the five Ashleys
entered. Then the confusion sub
sided. Mary poured out tea for the
two ladies. Mr.. Ashley talked coun-
try talk to Mrs. Harewood. Jack,
who was bashful, sat with bis eyes
fixed upon the ground, and Willie, who
was forward, stared at Aimee, who
sat silently thinking of Sir Stephen
out in the rain, and wishing he would
arrive and protect her. She heard a
heavy tread at last, and eagerly look
ed towards the door, but it was only
Mr.. Harewood, who shook hands With
her cordially, and seemed as pleas
antly kind as his wife.
Something was said about rooms,
and Mrs. Ashley and her daughter
rose. Como, Aimee" said Mary:
and to her great joy the door closed
between her and Willis's inquisitiye
eyes.
The room ASST gnod to her was close
to Mary Harawood's, who was most
kind in sending her maid; and very
lovely Aimee locked as she went
down stairs in her simple white dress,
and great trepidation at the thought
of "dining down stairs" +"
Thirty people staying in the house,
Mary said. The eldest and much
brought forward daughter of a very
worldly mother, Mary was as calm
aud self-possessed as if she had been
tout" for years, and could not in
the least understand Aimec's fears.
or her pitiful entreaties to be allow
cd to drink tea with the children. So
terribly frightened, she entered the
huge drawing-rooM, bewillered to
see Sc many people aud hear SO little
noise. Several gentleman came for
ward to speak to Miss Harewood.
and Aimee stood alone, feeling very
wretched, but timidly raising her
eyes now and then to look, in vain,
for Sir Stephen.
At length dinner was announced,
and, after little waiting, Aimee
was assigned to Jack Ashley. who