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

| 'hc second breakfast was that o
the Ashleys, already mentioned. Mr.
Ashley was a good specimen of a,
English country gentleman. HIS lif
had been marred, however, by on,
mistake, his wife. Youth and beau
ty had hidden her innate vulgarit,
from him, while riches had made hi.
father overlook her ineq uality of po
sition. MIR. Ashley was a seusibl.
man, SO he made the best Of it, anC
had now got accustomed to his burd.
on; while, for his sake partly, partly
for her own real kindliness of dispo.
si;ion, bis wife was always well re-
ceivtd by his friends. As they now
sat at their luxurious breakfast-tab bic
they looked as if they had always
lived prosperous lives, with plenty
round them. This was really the
case; but the last few years a great
sorrow had gained on Mrs. Ashley.
Tbs was that her daughter was un-
married. Her only daughter, her
eldest child, go handsome, SO we'll
educated, so popular, and an heiress
lthrough her godmother, Mrs Ash
'fcy sister), that she should be uo-
married seemed dreadful! There
was so reason for this, save that Car
oline, with heart untouched, and very
happy at home. saw no reason to ac-
cept any one of her numerous suitors.
Sundry hints had hecn given to Mrs.
Ashley by Lady Dashwood. of her
willingness to consent to maria &c
between the heircss and Sir Stephen,
but Mrs. Ashley had never mentioned
the subject to her daughter. Howev-
er, this morning Mrs. Dudley Haro-
wood, who was we'll aware how much
her friend, Lady Eastwood, desired
the match, had said in her letter of
invitation, that she expected Sir
Stephen Dashwood would join tLe:r
party, and consequently, as she had
hoped, Mrs. Ashley was all eager
ness to accept the invitation.
John, she d,-and Mr.. Ash.
ley looked up, rather annoyed by tho
Interruption, for he was man of one
idea, and breakfast wa. now occupy
ing his thoughts, s,-"John, there is
nothing, ! hope, to prevent our going
to the Dudley Harewoods on the
1Sth?" e u..s.s
II have meetings on Tuesday and
Friday"
"Oh! you can manage to get back
in time on Friday, and you must send
an excuse for Tuesday,
What $ the good of going? Wo've
just got home.''
They are going to have a dance,
and OF course you will have some ex-
cellent shooting"
I'm quite content with my own."
80 nonsense, my dear!' this good
humoredly and coaxingly; ''such
nice house to stay in. Carrie will
like some dancing. and it is so good
Of Mrs Harewood to ask Jack and
Willie too" glanciug at two tall
youths who made up the breakfast
party.
"Well, we'll, I suppose l must 90,
SO you can write and accept. Come
along, boys; I'm going to the farm" B"
Left alone with her daughter, Mrs.
Ashley felt nervous. If Carrie was
to marry Sir Stephen it was perhaps
time to speak on the subject; and
with much trepidation she gave her
tae letter, hoping for some remark
that might serve to introduce the
idea.
Carrie, however, handed back the
letter in silence, and Mrs. Ashley
plunged into her subject.
Carrie, my dear, | hope Sir
Stephen Dashwood will be there"
Carrie opened her large eyes a lit
tic wider, and raised her well marked
eyebrows. DO you, mamma? /
always think be is heavy
20 no; it is his way to be rather
silent, so much better than the rat.
tie OF the young men of the present
day."
A long pause followed; then
Carrie, did you never think Sir
Stephen admired you?" ..
''Not more than most people -
This was said so prettily that it did
not sound pert; and she added, sadly,
"Ah. mother! fortune is a great
beautifier. .H'&
Don't talk such nonsense, my
dear. So much admired as you have
always been! But | do wish you
would marry; you are SO difficult to
please, l am afraid you will end by
being an cid maid"
Carrie flushed angrily, but she an
swered in her usual low voice, pray
do not speak as if that wero any deg
radiation. ! am very happy as /
dm, and do not int tend to marry
unless ain, what people call, in
love- The world thinks men SO fas.
oinating it cannot believe a girl can
have reached twcnty-six without fall
ing Ii lors with some one Of them.
It makes me furious tho way people
talk! A girl who marries the FIRST
man who asks her is allowed to live
in peace. A girl who does not wish
to marry, who has refused dozen
offers. and might with little trouble
have refused another dozen. is wor-
ried till she is almost ready to marry
the next person who asks her. Is
the disgrace Of old maidism in the
mere fact of not being married, or in
being supposed not to have been ask.
ed? for in the latter case | might get