The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1875-02-18
the MIDSUMMER MASK.

that he went to sea once too often, and
SO circumvented pair Of schemers, or
more. He was one of those gay, gallant
good for-nothings, folks said, whom the
ladies dotted upon, and whom nobody
could find it in his heart to blame seri-
ously when his handsome face was pres.
ent, but one who would never come to
anything better than marrying fortune.
Unstable as water, taking up law one
moment to lay it down in favor of physic
the next, whe had flung chemistry aside
to dabble in oils and watercolors, and
had tried almost every thing but the
ology. One day he took it into his head
to try the ocean, but after the first tough
voyage his enthusiasm had died natural
death; but Grandfather Cheselden sim
ply put his foot down-albeit q gouty
one-as folks thought he ought to have
done earlier, and insisted that Jack
should stand by his last choice of a pro-
fession.
II won't leave you red cent, not .
red cent, Sir, unless you put your own
shoulder to the Wheel" he assured his
grandson.
"In other words" said Jack, lightly,
as was his wont, unless I'll paddle my
own canoe. But I'm going to marry q
fortune, you KNOW" struggling his fine
shoulders.
"And prey on her coferss A pretty
Lo1r 40 for Choco1Aopp3
Now Grandfather Cheselden had no
body but himself to thank for this affair
Of Jacks with Emilia Belgravia. He
had done all in his power to bring it
about; he had condesccnded to lend him
self to the wiles Of matchmaking. Jack
had been as indolent and Indifferent q
lover as ever the sun shone on, Heaven
knows-wavering in love, thought his
grandfather, as in everything else; but
he had talked to Jack roundly; his great
aunt had demonstrated that his honor
was concerned, that he had f1irted with
Miss Belgravia till Irritation was no
longer q virtue; the family had courted
and flattered him; Emilia herself seemed
nothing 10th; and the poor fellow had
been absolutely worried into an engage
ment, but revengec himself by wearing
his chains loosely enough. The Chesel-
dens were family who had come in
with the flood, so to speak, while the
Belgravias of few generations back had
cobbled shoes; but to equalize things
they had cobbled to such purpose that
their Golfers were now overhowing, while
the Cheseldens' financial credit was on
the decline. The Cheseldens wanted
money; the Belgravias hankered after
family. They played into each others
hands, and Jack was the tool, who simply
wanted to be let alone. As for Emilia
well, she shared the family ambition,
doubtless, and if she were in love with
Jack-and mind haven't committed her
she was not the first girl who loved
him without cause. So the affair was
arranged. Emilia was beauty in her
way-not the way Jack would have
chosen, perhaps, but he liked we'll
enough to dance with her, to hold her
fan; how better could sailor spend his
holiday than in flirting? what more natu-
raj? But he felt q sort of hateful pride,
be it said, when strangers turned to look
after her leaning on his arm. Then the
Belgravias' was q pleasant home in which
to while away ones time, since nothing
more fascinating offered-since Grand
father Cheselden's gout had made him
testy and his failing fortunes had made
him stingy.
Perhaps he would have been more
eager to rivet his chains and would have
loved them better had it not happened
that the Eolus had brought home . pas
sengcr on her last voyage-the voyage
that Jack had wished to escape, that
Grandfather Cheselden had insisted
upon his taking! The passenger was q
pale girl, with none Of Emilia's vivid
colors, shining amidst no pomp of cir
cumstance like Emilia; girl who was
coming home to fill governess' place
in America. and who fell i'll on the trip
and called Jacks smattering of medicine
into use. Physician and patient could
not long remain strangers, and Jack soon
found it fatally pleasant to arrange her
deck chair, to bring her work, to read to
her when the light dszzled her, and to
listen to her simple condolences; then
there were long twilights spent together,
when she sang snatches of sea-songs,
when they seemed to forget that only lit
tie while ago they had not known of each
others existence. Grandfather Chesel.
den had not counted upon any such ex
periences as these as among the dangers
Of the deep.
"Oh, sotaA could have stayed in the
Old World longer" she said one day
when they had been talking about
cathedrals and pictures.
"And pray why didn't your" asked
Jack in his headlong way.
"Oh, q hundred reasons. Mrs. Nitrt
didn't want my services any longer. You
know, went out as governess to Mrs
Nitre's children. thought it was such
an opportunity! And here ! am coming
home sitter six months-only I'm going
to somebody else's homo! But I'm no,
sorry, on the whole" J" with little sigh.
"Neither am /. could almost bless
Mrs. Nitre. But toll me, have her chill
dren learned al You knew in six months
| timer"
at wouldn't take long, I'm afraid, Il
they were apt scholars." laughed Dawn
"but I didn't please Mrs. Nitre OF
closer acquaintance"
Didn't please Mrs. Nitre! She mus
be the hardest woman to please in TIL
world"
$50 Mr. Hughes said" "a alp Of ths
tGn9ue.)
.Mr. Hushsss Who was he, msy
ask!"
NOBODY hst Nh. Nltss'l lss'l~:'
! lblsshiaR