The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1870-03-17
From Every Saturday. !
MATCH-MAKING.
IN FIVE CHAPTERS. CHAPTER I.

Three very different breakfast tables
were linked together one morning by
each re ceiying an invitation to the same
country house.
The first place belongs to Sir Stephen
Dashwood's, in virtue of his superior,
though not very exalted, rank of
baronet.
He was alone with his mother, who
held in her hand an open letter, and
looking up from it said, "Dear Stephen
you must go, to please me" The
last words said SO pleadingly, in such a
sweet voice, that it seemed strange to
hear him answer, sternly, "No, Mother;
you know how little l care for that sort
of thing. A gay party in such a house
as the Dudley Harewoods' is the last
/ should wish to join. am really be-
coming an old man, and mean to stay
at home now"
"You are not forty yet"
"Thirty-nine. Quite old enough to
be allowed to give up dissipation and
take care Of my mother"
4sGiYe me one year more, Stephen.
| cannot give up my hope OF pretty
young mistress for the old Court. Don't
look 50 sad, deari it is fifteen years
since Annie died Even if she had
been your wife you have mourned her
too long. | cannot bear to see all the
brightness Of your life buried in her
grave" +,
Sir Stephen walked to window and
looked out on his beautiful park for some
minutes, but his eyes had an absent
look, and all he saw was white marble
cross in a churchyard far away.
He came back to Lady Dashwood at
last, and said, in low voice, II will go
to this place, as you wish it so much.
AS to marrying, l have often told you
would marry if | could care for any
one; but no one has made my heart
beat faster since-since-years ago.
Dearest mother, why will you not be
content to be the only woman | love ?''
Content! Yes, for myself; but l
should be so happy, Stephen, to leave
this dear old place to your wife, and to
go and wait in my own little home for
the time for me to meet your dear
father again. An old woman may wait
to reioin the husband she loved for
thirty years; but, indeed, your case is
different"
"My dear mother, | never thought
of comparing it. have promised. |
will 60 to Birchleigh; but what on earth
has that to do with my marrying4"
"Why, in your letter, did you not
see the Ashleys are asked7
"Well| I
Il like Miss Ashley so much. She
is such nice, sensible girl. Not less
than twenty-six, SO that she would not
be too young. Good looking, SO well
connected on her fathers side, and an
heiress! Not that you need marry for
money, but there is a good deal you
could do here with it." 0''
$50 she is the selected victim!
grant she is pleasant and handsome.
However, unfortunately, there are two
serious objections to your plan, my
dear lady. | do not care for her, and
I am sure she does not care for me.
"You must make yourself care for
her, And then, my dear boy, do you
suppose any woman could help caring
for you?" And the fond mother look
ed up with pride at her really very
handsome son. a.a.
Helaughed good-huniloredly. Young
ladies are not SO infatuated as you are (;
hbut ] promise to go to this place, and
also try to like Miss Ashley; only my
firm conviction is that shall come back
as heart-whole as / CO." And Sir
Stephen sighed as he though thow very
far he was from being heart-wbole
The old sorrow nevertheless, had partly
changed into sad memory, and hi,
mother, had, at last, made him almost
believe that it was very irksome to hel
To- take charge Of his hospitable house,
and also that, as the last of an ancient
race, it was his positive duty to marry.
Caring for no one, he was now almost
ready to propose to any one his mother
wished partly to please her, partly
from a sad4weariness of the subject
"When people think they are safe
they are often in most danger an
sweYed Lady Dashwoody G @ VI.
"Aad there's dancing in the case
too" groaned her son, as he took NJ
his invitation again what does Mrs
HareWood say7 Dear Mnry's birthday
is on the goth, and she has set her hear
] on ball." certainly bless dear Mary
for thelthought. Am | to dance at my
age, mother" .oj .Il
ayes, yesj you quite weary me witt
your age. / can't bear the young men
+ Of the present day, and am quite sure
all sensible people agree with me"
Sir Stephen sighed. "Then doser
you on Monday week 2" t'.
t eyes, Of course; and now must q
t and look after your tiresome household
affairs. Write at once and accept, be.
! fore you have time to repent"
The second breakfast was that of tht
Ashleys, already mentioned. MIRA
ley was good specimen of an Englisl
country gentleman His-life had beer
mamed, however, by one mistake,-
. his wife, Youth and beauty had hid
b den her mate vulgdrity from him whil
e riches had made isfather overlook be
inequality Of position. Mr. Ashley wa