Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-06-23
AUGUSTA, ME-. FRIDAY MORNING. JUNE 80. 1871.
Calls and Sketthes.
THE WIFE'S LESSON.


age, as he stood on the steps of his own
fnely-placed mansion, waiting for the APP
pearance of said Meta, with no very peac-
able mien.
'My dear brother, you are so savagely
punctual," demonstrated Mrs Monckton.
You really cannot expect from u young
girl the same eXactness as from mature,
retired merchant; and Meta is so devoted
to her favorte pursuits she forgets the
progress of time
Eyes; | heard her singing when she
ought to have been dressing," returned
Mr.. Gerard, gravely. "If Meta does not
wish to ride, why not say so, and squall
away to her hearts content after l have
left the house ?n
'sReally, Paul, you are So" coarse y
hovered on the lady's tongue but the IA
vor of a wealthy bachelor was not to be
lightly risked and, luckily, Just as she al
tered it to "eccentric," graceful Girl.
dressed in dark green habit, and with a
scarlet feather waving IN the jauntiest OF
hats, came lightly bounding along the
hail. and stood by their side.
"Are you dreadfully angry, uncle, be-
cause it is ten minutes beyond time ?" she
asked with bewildering smile, as Mr..
at is now half-past eleven, Meta, and
| have an appointment in Liverpool at
ride very fast, and give up calling at the
Grange. Come, let me lift you up; we
have not moment to lose.'
For reply Meta placed her little foot in
his hand, and in moment was in the sad
Ill nta 81 tl
grace of fearless horsewoman. There
ments till they had passed the gates of
modest but picturesque cottage, nearly
hidden among bushy trees and clustering
shrubs
Meta said her uncle abruptly. "do
you mean to marry Darcy St. Ives ?"
The girl blushed an indignant scarlet
Il do not understand yon, uncle"
"Indeed! | should have thought my
question plain enough for a much duller
comprehension than yours. Hark yc, Net
ia. do not wish you to rely on false
hopes, and therefore it is better for me to
broken the ice Whenever YOU are mar
ried, if it is with my full consent and APP
proval, | intend to give You a handsome
More than that you must not expect, and
in order to convince you that | am in
earnest, | will tell you a secret that will
soon be patent to the world | am going
to marry at last, and | dare say YOU can
guess the BRIDE"
In spite of her utmost efforts, Net.as
eyes flashed angrily. Surely not that
formal old maid, Miss Mackenzie, uncle ?"
E,l.
woman, Netta,' he replied, grayely,
whose habits of unobtrusive usefulness
and order are the very perfection of domes-
tic happiness. From this moment, you
will speak of her, trust, with the respect
and regard due to your future relative;
and | would advise you to learn from her
the qualities which are essential to a poor
mans wife, while yet gracing the most
wealthy and brilliant lot. am quite
aware of your attractions, Netta,-you are
pretty and accomplished; but you are
most lamentably deficient in punctuality,
order, and self-denying unselfshness, and
| fear you will need some sharp discipline
ere you correct these iailings,'
"Some persons do not think me so
faulty replied the girl, with u scorniul
smile. Besides, l am eighteen-not eight
anu
Il do not doubt that chronological fact"
returned Mr.. Gerard, calmly; "but my
question demands an equally accurate re-
ply. Are you engaged to, or do you mean
to be engaged to Mr. St. Ives?p
Meta gave flrtive glance, which con-
vinced her that her uncle was not to be
trifled with, and she said suddenly:
'I-I suppose So"
"IIumph! well, few women can give
categorical answer to a sensible question !;
and l suppose that means Eyes" he re-
turned. 'Well, | do not blame you, child.
Darcy St. Ives is clever, rational young
fellow, but he is poor, and has his way to
make. And, Meta, listen; if You do not
hinder him like drag on his onward
course-if you do your part, he will rise
in life, and your future will be as prosper
Gus as a reasonable woman can wish;
but unless you correct the errors of Your
past training and over indulgence, con-
slider his ruin is as certain as his marriage
'Do not trouble yourself, uncle. | be-
lieve Darcy is qnite content with me-" she
said scorntully. And if not, daresay |
shall not die an old maid. or wait till am
forty before | am married"
"Foolish child, may you never repent
your headstrong follyn' he replied, coolly.
However, | wash my hands of the busi.
ness. shall inform Mr.. st. Ives what he
may expect from me. The rest he can
find out for himself"
And the gentleman gave a sharp touch to
his horse, which started the two off at a
pace that effectually stopped the discussion.
Three months from the date of this dia-
logue saw the realization of both the mat
rimonial projects alluded to rs in progress.
MIR. Gerard disappointed all the hopes of
his numerous poor relations by leading to
the altar gentle, sweet-looking, and
agreeable woman, whose thirty eight years
sat very lightly on her smooth brow and
Darcy st. lves-a fine young fellow in one
OF the best of the government offices,
which, some ten or fifteen years hence,
might bring him a sufficient income-re-
ceived with pardonable pride the beautiful
Meta Moncton, whose dowry amounted to
some fifteen hundred pounds and hand
some trousseau.
There was marked contrast in the ages,
fortunes and DersOnal annaaranca of the