Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-07-05
Mliscella
THE wIFE,s LESSON.

ways TO be waited for said Mr. Paul Gerard,
a bachelor Of some sixty years Of age, as he
stood on the steps of his own finely placed
mansion, waiting for the appearance Of said
Meta, with no very placable mien.
My dear brother, you are so savagely
punctual" demonstrated Mrs. Monckton
" You really cannot expect from a young
girl the same exactness as from a mature, re.
tired merchant and Meta is so devoted to
her iavorite pursuits she iorgcts the progress
Of time"
Yes heard her singing when she ought
to have been dressing returned Mr.. Gerard
gravely. " II Meta does not wish to ride,
why not say SO, aud squal away to her hearts :
coutent after have left the house
-" Really, Paul, you are So" " coarse, "
lowered on the lady's tongue but the favor
Of a wealthy bachelor was not to be lightly
risked and, luckily, just as she altered it to
" eccentric a graceful girl, dressed in a
dark green habit, and with scarlet feather
waving in the jauntiest Of hats, came lightly
bounding along the hall, and stood by their
side.
Are you dreadful angry, uncle, because it
is ten minutes beyond tho time she asked,
with a bewildering smile, as Mr.. Gerard
pointed to his chronometcr.
" II is now hall-past eleven, Meta and
ordered the horse punctualy at eleven.
have au appointment in Liverpool at twelve,
and therefore we shall have to ride very fast,
and give up calling at the Grange. Come, let
me lift you up; we have not moment to lose 81
For reply Meta placed her little foot in
his hand, aud in a moment was in the saddle
and canterng off with the ease and grace of a
fearless horsewoman. There was an awkward
silence for some moments, till they passed the
gates Of a modest but picturesque cottage
nearly hidden among bushy trees and cluster
ing shrubs.
Meta said her uncle, abruptly " dS
you mean to marry Darcy St Ives
The girl blushed an indignant scarlet "
do not understand you, uncle"
Indeed | should have though, ny
question plain enough for a much duller com
prehension than yours Hark ye, Meta,
do not wish you to rely on false promises an,
hopes, and therefore it is better for me u
speak candidly to you now that | have broke
the ice. Whenever you are married, If it j
with my full consent and approval, inten
to give You handsome wedding outfit and
thousand pounds More than that you mus
not expect and in order to convince yo
that ! am in earnest, | will tell you a secre
that will soon be patent to the world. at
going to marry at last aud dare say 20
can guess the bride.
In spite of her utmost efforts, Netta's ey,
flashed angrily. "Surely not that formal o.
maid, Miss Mackenzie, uncle?"
mean, that gentle, womanly, unsefs
= woman, Meta be replied, gravely, "whos
habits of unobtrusive usefulness and order al
the very perfection of domestic happiness
. Prom this moment, you will speak Of her,
trust, with the respect and regard due to yol
future relative; and would advise you
learn from her the qualities which are essent
to poor mans wife, while yet gracing II
most wealthy aud brilliant lot. am qui
aware of your attractions, Netta--you al
pretty and accomplished but you are mo
amentably deficient in punctuality, order al
self-denying unseldshness, and | fear you vi
need some sharp discipline ere you CORE
these failngs"
Some persons do not think me so faulty
replied the girl, with scornfu smile. "B
sides, am eighteen--not eight-and-thirty.
" do not doubt that chronological fact
returned Mr. Gerard, calmly " but my que
ton demands an equally accurate reply. A
you engaged to, or do you mean to be engag
to, Mr.. St. Ives p
NettI gave furtiye glance, which conyin
ed her that her uncle was not to be trih
with, and she said suddenly
III suppose so"
Humph well, few women can give
categorical answer to a sensible question a
. | suppose that means yes, he returne
" Well, | do not blame you, child. Oar
st. Ives is a clever, rational young fellow, b
! he is poor, and has his way to make. An
= = Netta, listen if you do not hinder him Ii
y drag on his onward course--if you do yo
part, he will rise in life, and your future "
- be as prosperous as reasonable woman c
wish but unless you correct the errors
= :, past training and over Indulgence, consit
It his ruin as certain as his marriage
4" DO not trouble yourself uncle. | belle
. Darcy is quite content with me, she sa
!, scornfuly. And if not daresay ! sh
~ y not die an old maid, or wait till | am for
y before | am married
: Foolish child may you never rept
= your headstrong folly" he replied cool
- f" However, | wash my hands Of the busine
y shall inform Mr.. St. Ives what he may
pect from me. The rest he can find out
= himself"
" And the gentleman gave a sharp touch
u his horse, which started the two of at pi
that eifectually stopped the discussion.
Three months from the date Of this d
logue saw the realization Of both the ma
X monial projects alluded to as in progress.
gn Mr.. Gerard disappointed all the hope:
Us his numerous poor relations by leading to
rd altar gentle, sweet-looking, and agreea
IS woman, whose thirty-eight years sat '
Nv lightly on her smooth brow and Darcy
d. Ives fine young fellow, in one of the |
,is Of the government offices, which, some ten
en- fifteen years hence, might bring him a 81
he cient income-receiyed with pardonable pi
We the beautiful Meta Monckton, whose do
ok amounted to some fifteen hundred pounds
DIV a handsome trousseau.
el. There was a marked contrast in the a
* fortunes, and personal appearance OF the
de utW cOuplts W Oulu IL ut NoiIltu VuA hui
Int the career before them
he
nd Janet, my love, shall you have tim
his call on Meta St. Ives before we leavef" as
be Mr.. Gerard, as he and his still fair wife st
it. on the steps Of London hotel. "But q
of not ask, You always have time and are
it, ways in time for everything
NV 3" Flatierer - laughed the lady, gaiy. "
il there could be any merit n performing
ties you make so easy However, have
doubt l can see your niece before it is t
to drive to Euston square and | can ca
nd arrange with Manyers to pack all | have
er and meet me there"
ny You are one of the few women | wo
y, trust in such an emergency" answered
&c husband "Where the last train is 10
lie case it is no Jest to miss it but do not
I'd you, Janet. So good bye for the present,
IL love"
ng Mr.. Gerard looked Ave years younger,
" whole summers sunshine brighter, than
" fore his marriage, three years ago and tn
TO was actual lover-tenderness in his glance
CT he handed his wife into the hired brougb