The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1870-03-24
4 From Every Saturday. ]
MATCH-MAKING.
IN FIVE CHAPTERS. CHAPTER III.

Very, comparatively, stupid Sir Ste
| phen found the rest Of the journey, and
was very glad TO reach Birchleigh Sta
ton, ,Swbere a servant was waiting, who
announced that Mrs. Harewood was
waiting for Miss Barlow.
She was driving herself in a low
pony-carriage. and greeted Aimee most
cordially. 81 drove over for you my
self because l thought it would be less
formidable for you than arriving alone.
Sir Stephen, you must find room in the
dog-cart. Charles expected you by
the next train"
81 found this train suited me better.
shall enjoy the walk to Birchleigh,
thanks. What time, though, do you
dine 2"
Eight; so you have plenty Of time,
unless you lose your way in the dark.
Au revoirI" And the spirited little
ponies started briskly homewards.
Aimee was at once fascinated by
Mrs, Harewood. She looked SO sun
nily bright and young, that it seemed
incredible she could be her mothers
contemporary.
Dear little thingn' she began, in
her rich, sweet voice, as they drove
off; ''your mother tells me thisis the
first time you have left home alone.
hope you will try to be happy with us.
Won know, long ago, your dear mother
was my greatest friend"
Mrs. Harewood sighed, and then
went on, Il neyer can persuade her to
come and see me now"
20, mamma never leaves home even
for aday y exclaimed Aimee efShe is
much too busy"
Mrs Hardwood unused on the differ
ent lives of herself and her friendi
then, as the thought returned to her,
She asked, "Do you know Sir Stephen
Dashwood well 2'soa'"s9.a ra1
aof1 never saw him till to-day. He
knows papa" '
"He's still rather young to chapsrone
young ladies, thought Mrs. Hardwood;
and wishing to get to the bottom of
the mystery, if mystery there were, she
continued =
a''Mrs. Barlow asked him to take care
of you"
"No He got into the same car
riage at M. He told me himself
who he was"
Mrs. Hardwood thought all might
not be going well for Miss Ashley, but
she did not like to commence her ac-
quaintance with Aimee by lecture on
propriety of behavior, and therefore
devoted horSslf to amusing her guest
by light talk on unimportant subjects.
It seemed a long while before they
reached )Birchleigh to Aimee, and she
was very glad when Mrs. Hardwood
led her into the morning-room, looking
SO bright and CHEEKY after the twilight
and drizzling rain outside A young
girlfo from low easy-ohair as they
entered.
"Mary, darling, here is Miss Barlow
Aimee, | think we must call you dear.
Do give her some tea quickly. We are
cold and wet. I suppose the AshIeys
are not come 2"
""No, mamma, but they ought to be
here now Is Sir Stephen come ?" a
y"Yes, but he would walk. | hope
he will enjoy this wet evening. How
do you do, dear Mrs. Ashley 2"
! Thereupon ensued great kissing and
hand shaking as the FIVE Ashleys en-
tered. Then the confusion subsded.
Mary poured out tea for the two ladies.
Mr.. Ashley talked county talk to Mrs.
Hardwood. Jack, who was bashful sat
with his eyes fixed on 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
looked towards the door, but it was
only Mr.. Harewood, who shook hands
with her cordially, and seemed as pleas
antly kind to his wife. ...a.
Something was said about rooms and
Mrs. Ashley and her daughter rose
"Cone, Aimee" said Mary; and to
her great JOY the door closed between
her aad Willie's inquisitive eyes.
The room assigned to her was close
to MaryH arewood's, s,Who was most kind
in sending her maid and very lovely
Aimee looked 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
straightforward daughter of very
worldly mother, Mary was as-calm and
self possessed as if she had bean "out'
for years, and could not in the least un-
derGtand Aimees fears, or her pitiful en-
treaties to be allowed to drink tea with
The children. So terribly frightened,
she entered the huge drawing-room,
bewildered to see so many people and
hear so little noise. Several gentlemen
came forward to speak to Miss Hare.
wood, and Aimee stood alone, feeling
very wretched, but timidly raising her
eyes now and then, to look in vain, fol
Sir Stephen. an
brAt length dinner was announced, and
after little waiting, Aimee was as
signed to Jack Ashley, who, being
quite as shy as herself, conducted her
in solemn silence down the great stair.
case, across the great hall, ard into the
great dining-room. where, still in sol