The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-07-18

Jnelr sue.
| care you dreadful angry, uncle, be.
cause it is ten minutes beyond the time 7''
she asked, with bewildering smile, as
| Mr.. Gerard pointed to his chronometcr.
at is now halfpast eleven, Meta, and
l ordered the horse punciually at eleven.
| have IN 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"
For reply Meta placed her little foot
$ in his hand, and in moment was in the
saddle, and cantering off with the ease
and grace of 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 clustering
shrubs.
} "Netta," said her uncle, abruptly, "do
you mean to marry Darcy st. Ives? ?"
The girl blushed an indignant scarlet.
81 do not understand you, uncle"
"Indeed | should have thought my
question plain enough for a much duller
comprehension than yours. Hark We,
Meta, | do not wish you to rely on false
promises and hopes, and therefore it is
better for me to speak candidly to you
now that | have broken the ice. When
ever you are married, if it is with my
full consent and approval, l intend to
give you handsome outfit and a thou
sand pounds. More than that you must
not expect; and in order to convince you
that | am in earnest, | will tell you
secret that will soon be patent to the
world. l am going to marry at last, and
| dare say you can guess the BRIDE
In spite of her utmost efforts Netta's
eyes flashed angrily. "Surely not that
formal old maid, Miss Mackenzie, uncle ?"
II mean, that gentle, womanly, unsel-
fish woman, Netta," he replied, gravely,
"whose habits of unobtrusive usefulness
and order are the very perfection of do
mestic 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 poor mans wife, while yet
gracing the most wealthy and brilliant
lot. | am quite aware Of your attrac-
tions, Netta-you are pretty and accom-
plished; but you are most lamentably
deficient in punctuality, order, and self
denying unselfshness, and fear you will
need some sharp discipline ere you cor
rect these failings."
"Some persons do not think me so faul.
ty," replied the girl, with a scornful
smile. Besides, | am eighteen-not
eight.and-thirty."
81 do not doubt that chronological
fact, returned Mr. Gerard, calmly "but
my question demands an equally accurate
reply. Are you engaged to, or do you
mean to be engaged to, Mr.. St. lves?'
Meta gave furtive glance, which con-
vinced her that her uncle was not to be
+"'af4 tidy T'sa sapP0se fSa So %: '''i' -"''""'"
"Humph well, few momcn can give
a categorical answer to sensible ques-
ton; and | suppose that means yes"
he returned. "Well, do not blame you,
child. Darcy St. Ives is clever, ration
al 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 prosperous as reasonable woman
can wish ; but unless you correct the er-
rors of past training and over-indulgence,
| consider his ruin as certain as his mar
riage."
"Do not trouble yourself, uncle.
believe Darcy is quite content with me-"
she said, scornfully. "And if not, | dare
say l shall not die an old maid, or wait
till l am forty before am married"
"Foolish child may you never repent
your headstrong folly !" 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 sharp touch
to his horse, which started the two off at
pace that effectually stopped the dis
cussion.
Three months from the date OF this
dialogue saw the realization of both the
matrimonial projects alluded to as in
progress.
Mr.. 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. Ives 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
received with pardonable pride the
beautiful Meta Monckton, whose dowry
amounted to some fifteen hundred pounds
and handsome trousseau.
There was n marked contrast in the
ages, fortunes, and personal appearance
of the two new couples Would it be
carried out during the career before them ?
"Janet, my love, shall you have time
to call on Meta ST. Ives before we
leave ?" asked Mr.. Gerard, as he and
his still fair wife stood on the steps of
London hotel. "But ! need not ask.
You always have time and are always in
time for everything"
"Flatterer !" laughed the lady, gaiIy.
GAS if there could be any merit in per-
forming duties you make SO easy. How
ever, | have no doubt can see your
niece before it is time to drive to Eustop
square and ! can easily arrange with
Manvers to pack all | have left and meet
me there"
"You are one of the few women
would trust in such an emergency" an-
swered her husband. "Where the last
train is in the case it il no jest to miss it
but | do not fear you, Janet. So good
bye tor the present, my love"
Mr.. Gerard looked five years younger,
and whole summers sunshine brighter,
than before his marriage, three wears ago