The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1877-09-05
WHOLE NO. l365.

| in these matters; ere now be had Oft
en- held the victory in an issue more
difficult than this in nis grasp, and
all be wanted nov was fIir field
and no favor
"Aunt Parker said was Lever to
speak TO you again" Kiss said, as sne
came into the room, with an air Of
extreme astonishment; "and noS she
sends me to you Of her own accord !
What does it meant"
at means that | have something
very particular to say to YOU. You
are no worse for your drive, | hopel"
as that ali Yes; | am ever 50
much worse-in temper. You shonid
have heard Auat Parker go on Did
any body scold your"
IL escaped any very serious rebuke
except from my conscience"
Dear me, Lord Featherstone, you
make me feel as though | We're in
church Was it so very wicked, then,
to help me in my distresel | thought
il was most good Of you"
This simple but ITALICIZED earnest
ness was very taking.
NE; but people are very censor
ious. they will talk They are
coupling our names together already"
Does that annoy youy" Her air
was candor itself DO YOU mind
very much ?"
"Well, perhaps not very. very
much. # can do me no harm
IF am glad Of that"
'Bdt il may you, aud it ought to
be stopped" "
COT course; but how p
There is only one way that can
see. Let Us have Only one name be.
tween US. | can not very well take
yours. VIII you take mine 2"
"Wby-wby-" A light seemed to
break in on her all at once. ooh,
wha; a funny man you are That's
Just the same as an offer Of marriage.
You can't mean that, surely 1t
would be too-quite to0-absurd "
''I don't see the absurdity." said
his lordship rather gruflly. "Were
well meant overtureS ever so shame
fully scorned :"
cob, but ! do!' Keziah's little foot
was playing with the fringe of the
hearthrug. al do. That is, if you
are in earnest, which of course you re
not"
"But | am in earnest. Why
should you think I'm not ?"
"You don't know me; you can't
care for me. You never spoke to me
till yesterday. You are only making
fun, and it isn't fair. | wish you'd
leave me alone"
Her eyes were full already.
81 am to go away, then -? That is
your answer ?" She hid her face in
her hands and would rot speak
you will be sorry for this. perhaps, |
some day." She shook her head
most vigorously. "Keziah Leigh, you
are the only woman | ever asked to
be nv wife. shall never ask snoth-
er. Goodbye, aud God bless you :"
And Lord Featherstone, with a |
strange feeling Of detection and dis
appointment, left the room. He
could not have believed that within
this short space Of time he could have
been so irresistibly drawn towards
any girl. Now be was grieving over
his failure as though be were still in
bis teens.
Presently Aunt Parker came in
and found Keziah sobbing fit to break
her heart
81 don't want him ! | don't want
him He can 90 away if he likes-to
the other end of the world"
Have you been very i'll used. my
sweet What did he say to you 2"
"He asked me 10 marry him." she
said, with difficulty, between her
sobs.
"Was that such a terrible insult,
then ?'
ale was only making fun ] don't
like such fun. And | don't want to
see him again. never, never, not as
long as livel''
kiss, you are right TO consult
your own feelings in this But Lord
Featherstone was in earnest, think,
and his intentions do him Infinite
credit"
Then she told her niece what had
passed
Still, if YOU don't care for him. it |
is best as it is. Dry your tears, Kiss,
and think no more about it,"
"Dut | think | do care for him."
she said, and began to cry again"
Lady Carstairs became very much |
exercised in spirit as the days passed,
and vet nothing positive was known
of Lord Featherstone's intention TO-
wards Miss Keziah Leigh.
She made many futile efforts to
meet him, then she called and sound
ed the ladies in Kensington Square,
with whom she was moderately init |
mate. They put back her cross-exam-
iuation mildly but eifeetually. But
at last she met Featherstone face to
face, and attacked him at on,e
Your highflown sense of honor did
not bear practical test, then ~
How 50, Lady Carstairs 2" His
c)oIDess was provoking.
"Why rush off to Central Africa,
except TO escape scandal 2"
Am | going to Central Africa
Perhaps am Why not 2"
"Can it be possible that she has re-
fused you?"
who could refuse me, Lady Car
stairs ?"
No bat do tell me ] am dying
to know
"You must fnd some one else to
save your life. then"
"But, Lord Feaiherstone, we shall I
see you once more before you start
You will come and dine with US
Just to say goodbye"
al will dine with you with pleas
ure, but not necessarily 10 say good
bye"
lie could not well escape from an
invitation so cordially expressed, and
tne night was fixed But he little
thought that malice lurked beneath.
The party was large one. and he,
as was often the case, very late. But