Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-11-09
OUT OF THE SEASON.

| aren you seLJleO why IL your Ia.
Their always coming to me for money?
Because he is weak, and you-"
There was a world of scorn in the
infection of the old lady's voice.
"Isn't this twice told tale, aunt ?"
replied Charlotte, in wearied tone
that had become habitual to her.
"He wants to go to town this sea-
son-for what? To pour over old
trash in the libraries all day, and
dwadle at his club all the evening.
And as for you, how much do you
suppose your three seasons cost me,
Miss Delcnere There was your
carriage and your lady's-maid (you
haven't got one now, have you)2
And your dresses goodness, why
tv o thousand would not cover it i
and here you are still-Mariana in
the Moated Grange, seven and twen
ty if you are day. You'll not go
to town with my money p
81 do not particularly desire to-
"No; / know it. It's that which
irritates me. There's no spirit in you.
You look as white as milk. That la
| Zy Brian is at the Court again
dwadling-I do hate dwadlers." And
out she swept.
Though use had made Charlotte
calm and Indifferent under these oft
repeated jeers, she would havo been
less than a woman if the recollection
of three unsuccessful seasons had not
been little bitter. Had she not
been "fast" enough, or was it simply
her lack of dowry?
The Rev. Lord Talbot Delamere,
her father, was indeed brother to a
peer; but as eight healthy children
interviewed between him and the es-
tate there was no prospect of an i'm.
provement in the weak mans for
tune. Charlotte had seen less hand
some women than herself marry
with eclat. Her mind perhaps " as a
little too we'll stored for social success.
"Lazy Brian" clerk in a we'll
known Crown office, lifted his hat
negligentIy to Aunt Delamere as she
drove past, while he leant over
gate with friend Mr.. Martin, ten
ant of the Court Farm. He had
run down for few days at Easter,
as he said, "to give the dogs an air.
iDg;" two settlers and a spaniel were
playing about their feet.
"You seem rather dull, Martin"
said Brian, offering his cigar.case.
They were examples of two most
opposite types of men-one tall,
swarthy and obviously weary; the
farmer short, stouter and though
very little older in years, showing
his age more.
81 am" he replied. 81 an dull. |
have something on my mind. Come
home. Will you write letter for
me ?'
"ef course" said Brian, smiling.
But be did not smile when he
found what the farmer, with the
strange disinclination to use pen and
ink often characteristic of his class,
wished to write. 1t was an offer of
his hand to Charlotte Delamere.
81 know Pm beneath her." said
Martin; "but, you see, she has had
three seasons, and is not-well, not
quite so young, and-and-well, !
love her, and have money"
The letter was written.
Neither did Charlotte smile when
she read it.
allow strange that it should be in
his hand writing!" she thought.
"Poor Martin, he is a gentleman in
heart and manner; though not by
descent. / am sorry for him."
She wrote, and broke her refusal
as gently as possible. He begged
Brian to obtain an interview for him,
knowing that he was on visiting
terms at the Rectory.
With some reluctance Brian went.
Strange that be could not look Char
lotte in the face while he delivered
his message-strang that his voice
should talter little.
81 will meet him at four O'Clock"
she said, Sin the lane by the copse."
The east wind blew cold and keen;
but the sky was clear and blue, and
the sun, though low, was bright. Be-
tween the hedgerows of the lanes it
was warmer. She gathered a few
anemones-they withered quickly in
her hand.
alike all | have to do WITH" she
thought bitterly.
Martin met her. His tone at first
respectful, grew earnest.
'It is in vaip," said Charlotte, 81
think very highly of you, but | do
not love you, and | cannot marry
you. 1t is not pride, believe me-"
Then he dessted, lifted his bat and
left her. In the hall the Rev. Talbot
met her, his face glowing, and beck
oned her to his study.
"Who do you suppose has Gomez
said be. "Why Andrew Wilkins
He was my fag forty years ago 1t
doesn't interest you! ., indeed Do
you know that he has made half
million, miss? Do you know be asked
my permission to-to-address you
He has money-we have blood. You
will dress up to the mark tonight,
and be more cheerful. YoH have
been out with that penniless Brian.
Take care you do not get entangled
with him."
"I refused him eight years ago."
said Charlotte.
at is we'll Now dress; III send
Rose up to you"
Rose was the dairy maid-for they
kept two Alderny cows on the glebe
"a bright, sparkling girl, who some
times acted as Charlotte's lady's maid
Charlotte had had French woman
to assist her toilet those three sea.
sons in town; being failure this
humble assistant was considered good
enough for her. But Rose was will
ling, handy and affectionate.
Charlotte found Mr.. Wilkins pol
ished and smooth. He did not press
himself upon her; she was grateful