The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1870-03-25
MATCh-MA ANlNC.
CHAPTER I.


Three very different breakfast ia
bles were linked together one morning
by each receiving an invitation to
the same country house.
The first place belongs TO Sir Ste
phen Dashwood, in virtue Of his su-
Perior. though not very exalted, rank
of barouet.
H: was alone with his mother. who
held in her hand an open letter, and
looking up from it said Dear Steph-
on, you must 60, to please me. ~
The last words were said so pleading
ly. in such soft, sweet voice, that
it seemed strange to hear him answer.
sternly, "No, mother; you know how
little care for that sort of thing.
A gay party in such house as the
Dudley Harwoods' i. the last should
wish to join. am really becoming
an old man, and l mean to stay at
home now." u.. ..
"You are not forty yet"
"Thirty-nine. Quite old enough
to be allowed to give up dissipation
and take care Of my mother.
"Give me one year more, Stephen.
l cannot give up my hope for a pretty
young mistress for the old Court
Don't lock SO sad, my dear; it is Gf.
teen years since Annie died. Even
if she had been your wife you have
mourncd her too long. l cannot bear
to see all the bright ness Of your life
buried in her grave
Sir Stephen walked TO 4 window
and looked out Oh his beautiful park
for some minutes, but his eyes had
an absent look, and all be saw was e
white marble cross in a churchyard
far away. .,a >.~.
He came back to Lady Dashwood
at last. and said. in low voice, Il
will 60 to this place as you wish it
50 much. As to marrying, I have
often told you I would marry if l
could care for any one; but no one
has made my heart beat faster since
-sinea-years ago. Dearest, moth
er, why will you not be content to be
tue only woman | love?'' .''
Content! Yes, for myself; but I
should be so happy, Stephen, to leave
this dear old place to your wife. and
to 60 and wait in my own little home
for tie time for me to meet your dear
father again. An old woman may
wait to rcjoin the husband she loved
for thirty years; but indeed, your
case is different.
''My dear mother, never thought
of comparing it l have promised
| will 60 to Birchleigh; but what on
earth has that to do with my marry
|ing.?" "''*. .##. s'
"Why. in your letter did ycu not
see the Ashlcys arc askedl'' sa
"Well!'
Il like Miss Ashley SO MUCH
She is such nice, sensible girl. Not
less than twenty-six, 20 that she
would not Re too young. Good look
ing. SO well connected. on her faith
er's side, and an heiress! Not that
you need marry for money, but there
is great deal you could do here with
it, 7'
$50 she is the selected victim /! l
grant she is pleasant and handsome.
However, unfortunately. there arc
two serious objections to your plan,
my dear lady. do not care for her,
and am sure she does not care for
me-
Yen must make yourself care for
her. And then. my dear boy. do you
suppose any woman could help Car
ing for you?" And tho fond mother
looked up with pride at her really
very handsome son.
He laughed good--humored.y.
Young ladies are not SC Infatuated
as you are; but l promise to go to
this place. and also to try to like Miss
Ashley: only my frm conviction is
that I shall come back, as heart
whole as ! 60. - And Sir Stephen
sighed as be thought how very far
he was from being iheart-whole. The
old sorrow, nevertheless, Lad partly
changed into sad memory, and his
mother had. at last, made him alm ost
believe that it was very irksome to
her to take charge of his hospitablc
house. and also that. as the last Of
an ancient race, it was his positive
duty to marry. Caring for no one,
be was now almost ready to propose
to any one biz mother wished, partly
to please her, partly from a sad ear
mess Of the subject.
| "When people think they are safu
they are often in most danger" an
swered Lady Dashw ood.
| "And there's dancing in the case,
too. !" groaned her son. as ho took up
bis invitation again. What does
Mrs. Harewood say? Dear Mary's
birthday is on the Goth. and she la.
set her heart on ball. Iccrtainly
bless dear Mary for tho thought -
Am | to dance At my ago. mot other!'
| "Yes. yes; you quite weary me
with your age. | can't bear ths
young mon of the present day.. and
am quito sure oil sensible people
agree with me-"
| Sir Stephen sighed. Then Do
sert YOU on Monday weck?"s
/ "Yes, Of course; aud now mus,
| 60 and Look after your tirosomv house
hold affairs. Write at once aud &C
lcept, bef,re you hare timc to repent.