The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-02-20

PART II.

tain some hHIi ooZen guests, OF HhoI
Squire Chester was one. Seated near a
open window, he was anxiously awaitin
the appearance OF Miss EASTWOOD with
vague hope as to the effect which nigh
thereby DO produced upon his undutitl
sou. That seit-wiled young man lounges
near cheertniiy Converting with lady
whi!e Lena Cameron. very pale and quie'
was bending over bit OF mbroidery, wit
tnIers thai trem bled little. and eyes tina
were rarely uphtted.
Suddenly, the sharp notes OF bugl
pierced the ears OF the assembled CON
pany.
.There is Joe,' said Mrs. Page. "I'u
glad that she is come, as now we can have
dinner"
"Joe ?' doubtfully inquired one of the
lady guests.
The Squire looked from the window, as
invited, and behe!d a figure in mans hal
and coat, as he thought and womsn's
skirt, dashing at full speed up the avenue
toward the house, with halt u dozen dogs
ACCOMMODATING. Spr!oging unassisted to tbs
ground she unIoosened the saddle and
threw il 10 the ground -; she then walked
several times around the horse, evidently
examining into his condition, and discuss.
ing the same with the groom, who had now
appeared.
iii Squire Chester regsrded this unex-
pected appearance of his sons chosen wife
with any emotion of surprise or disappoiHt
ment, he at least did not express it. On the
contrary, he bowed aud shook hands with
the true old school gallau;ry and courtesy,
as that young lady entered the room,
followed by two OF the dogs aforesaid,
to whom she whistled an encouragement to
eater.
"Oh, my dear, the dogs +" demonstrated
Mrs, Page, piteously. I'VE are not sc>
customed to hsye them in tho drawing
room"
Dear ne. no. have dogs in the drawing
room ? Why, have mine With me there
and all over the house. Gould not live
without them. declare Like dogs, sir ~
she inquired with q bra~i, of her future
fsther-ln-igw.
Very much-in their proper place, the
Old gentleman was constrained so say To
which Miss Eastwood replied with a just
perceptible shrug % her graceful shoulders.
And then they went 10 dinner
Ne turkey, thank YOU" said she. Il
never take fowl; it's ONLY 6t for invalid
and oabies-so insipid. III take roast beef,
rare, If you please, though | prefer steak
and onions"
And besprnklinc the CORY slice with an
abundance o. cayenne sauce, Miss Dash~
wood commenced her repast while the
Squire turnoi away has ewes, meeting those
OF Lena Cameron, his Wits niece, who had
been regarding these proceedings Of the
''dashiug" young lady with an expression
akin 10 horror. Poor child, she was not in
the secret. But the Squire thought, as he
looked ri her, how very delicate and refined
and iedY,ljGe she appeared
Miss Eastwood declined sherry. but
accepted a little por. instead - though
expressing Preference for French brandy
and water, 1t is quite the style now for
ladies 20 prefer brandy. Indeed, some even
prof=ssed s. partiality for Bourbon, though
she herself considered it inferior to brandy.
in point Of taste and real refrsshuent :; anG
the : 4uire felt provoked al the assidaitv
with which his son reil.ed the Young lsdv's
glass, and listened adm:rjng!y TO all she
said.
tive Us some music, joe" said Mrs.
Page, when they were again ia the drawing
room. And the Squire who was devoted 10
music, looked up and frightened. 1t was
one Of his tavorita ansicipations, that of his
sou 8 wife playing to him, aud soothing hiu1,
a. LIS t-1trA AtALC4 44NItND VIII Llt EID4-ES
he loved. And now he came up to the
piano and stood expectant.
Miss Dashwood played rafting prelude
and then suddenly broke into bravura
which caused one ad7 to vacata her seat
rear the instrument. The Squire Dndaun,ed
kept hi post, until hngter's song, with a1I
the accom- panim ent OF horn and rider hal
loo overcame even bis courtesy, and be
too retreated.
Now, Lena, one of your fsvorites," said
her aunt quitsly, and the girl sat down, and /
IN o sweet, low and somewhat piaintive /.
voice, sang "Bonu!e Doom and Annie |
Laurie
That's the music that Ike" remarked
Squire Chester to his hostess, soto roce,
Those charming old sonRe are worth al
the modern tai-aa rails that have ever been
written And he looked thoughtfulIy at
Miss bashwood, and then at Miss Cameron.
Likewise be hearkeued to the discourse then
gong on brtween the former and his
son
Il do SO doat n horses" observed the
young sadg. Il couldn't be happy under
any circumstances, without at least two OF
my own, rider and hunter. | delight |
IN hunting, wherever 1t is TO be had, and
generally on that account, spend my sum
rners in the mountains, though deer are
becoming very scarce aud woodcock almost
as much so. ! wish we had fox hunting
hese in England l prefer novels where
fox-huntIng comes in-"Guy Livingston
for instance. What splendid fellow he
was, and what a hum drum country is ours,
where there lie hardly anything so numerous
except the theatres. II | had my wish
should be an actress, Don't you think so,
Mr.. Chester ?"
"Cspital!' responded the Young man,
with em phasis, and q pleased, half am used
and hai-sarnest look, which didn't escape
his watchfui sire, though be might not IN
derstand t.
Hes ninney," vas the mental rehec- |
ton Of the latter. What sor: of vile |
would such q woman Enake?" was his next
il voluntary thought, until it suddenly oc-
Cured to him with something like shock. /,
that this was really, after all, the woman be /
he'd chosen for his sons wife, for his daugh- /
Ter in law, for the mistress of the house and |
And again be looked at Lena. /
very kindly this time
"You must see nv Bellzebub," resumed /
Miss Dash wood, Enthusiastically, ''sueh
charming creature full of spirit, vet SO
tractable and afeciopate, that assure you, /
sir" addressing the squire. "he1l walk |
INTO the preakfast-room and drink coffee out
II your cup at The table"
This assurance appeared to have no par
tienlsr charm for Squire Chester, for be
.urned away with very littlel ceremony.
Miss Eastwood went up stairs on some er
rand, and they heard her whistiug as she
eros sed The hall.
"Paiilp," whispered the Squire, 81 think
we had better be going ."
mot yet, sir, Miss Dashwood is about to
show me her pistols, and then she will teach
me new game Of cards. and afterward we
hre going to the stabIes''
"To 90 where?"
''1o tho stables, sir. to look ct the hor-
ses'
The Squire cast on him look of indig
nation.
is that's Miss EASTWOOD or joe or