The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1878-07-11
Rut the count saw.

Bull the cOuub saw. =
He was looking unusually well. some
how much brighter than usual; and he was
addressed really elegantly dressed
with diamond in his shirt front.
I -Ah, this must nOt-must not be, he
said. in low voice. -Nees Grafton, dear,
good, angel girl, come with me to your
mamma"
Yes" answered Ermine, mechanically
You may tell her that I am the baron,
he whispered, as they reached the top Of
the stairs.
Ermine Enclosed the door, revealing the
velvet carpet, the Gobelin tapestry, the
rosewood, marble, lace, and the elegant
invalid.
He says he Is the baron, mamma, she
said, more occupied in coneealing the ira
ces Of her tears than with the news.
-Oh!" shrieked Mrs. Grafton, delighted
~.
MY three cousins were drowned togeth-
er on board the unfortunate Europa" said
the baron. Yes, dear madam, have at
last succeeded to the barony, and, in to-
ken Of your many, many kind favors, let
me beg Of you the hand Of this excellent
young lady, whom most revere"
"Oh!" cried madam again, wild with Joy.
Accept him-accept him at once, my
daughter!"
| Il cannot, mamma"
-Ermine, do you know what you decline?'
Yes; but pay -day-pay day Is cOming!"
stammered the poor girl, hardly knowing
what she was saying.
| Money? Is it money? That have!"
cried the baron, in his not unpleasant bro
ken English. Plenty! I owe it to you,
too, dear lady. Has not this kind madam
loaned me twenty-fOrty-seven dollars
this winter, when was so poor, so desti-
tute and must go away from under this
kind roof. So pay the rent of my room.
Now I give it back, and more-very much
more!"
Il borrowed it from your drawer, dear
Ermine," to her daughter. Il knew he
would be the baron. Don't think OF money
now-that will be all right think Of the
honor our friend does you; think"
Don't refuse him, Ermine, said an arch
voice. -IwOuldnt."
There was Pussy at the mirror, fasten-
ing up her curls.
Il must, said Ermine, retiring from the
room.
She went slowly down into the shop.
Her mother! Then she applied ether
| (Which she herself used in nervous attacks)
while she purlOined the keys Of themoney
drawer from the table beside her bed, and
distracted the cash. Ether always made
Ermine i'll.
Pretty soon, Pussy came down with a
roll Of bills and two rosy cheeks.
My dear sister, 1t Is the future Baroness
Meritenski who returns to you this money,
loaned for her betrOthed by our mamma.
Then you have accepted him, Pussy?
Dear child, he is old enough to be your
father"
He is perfectly delightful. have been
in love with him for long time, asserted
Miss Pussy.
Then am very glad. dear. I suppose
Mamma Is In raptures. She has already
asked the baron seven million, nine hun
dred questions regarding this estate in
SaxOny."
Il have the money!" murmured poor
Ermine, absently.
Just as Pussy went out, George Gregg
~ came in.
-Oh, 1 am SO glad it is you!" cried Err
mine, when she had turned and seen whom
it was.
Are your" flashed forth George Grego-
~, his eyes shining, and all his honest
face flushing with happiness.
For have the money, and want to
make the payment as soon as can"
Hang the money!" shouted Gregory, in
overwhelming disgust.
Ermine looked up in establishment
Hang the money!" he repeated. is
that all you are glad about? Oh, Miss
GraftOn-dear Ermine, the best woman
ever knew, the lOveliest dearest to me-if
you would only give me your love, 1 would
gladly cast all my money at your feet! 1t
Is all 1t Is good for, to save you from any
more care and trouble, and IL you won't
take 1t, and me with it, never shall care
a straw for it again, or myself either"
What q lover the despised grocer had
turned OUT
Il should be proud to take you il you
hadn't cent" returned proud Ermine,
looking him straight In the eyes; though
l never knew until this moment that
loved you"
Then you do love me?- In delight.
Yes; you seem to be what l need"
answered the poor girl, laying her tired
head down upon his broad breast.
Mortimer's form appeared in a distant |
doorway.
by Jove!- he muttcred
Ermine's eyes We're beautifully bright. |
-Mortie, dear, come here snd shake |
hands with your new brother-in-law.
Wonder upon wonder! The young aris- |
tocrat did it heartily"
L am glad you like Ermine, sir, he said, |
In his frank, boyish way. BY Christopher!
but brothers in law abound!"
Pussy and the baron came prancing into |
the shop.
Shut up tho shop!" cried the young |
lady. 1t Is time"
We'll, should think sol" responded |
Mortie, and Immediately put up the shut
tiers.
When the excitement was over, one Bit |
ter drop remained in Ermine's cup OF hap |
piness. Her mother had deceived her
yes, acknowledged all the bitter truth
drugged and robbed her! Her mother,
whom she had ever shielded and served
whom she had suffered most for!
But some conSciences are Obtuse.
Here Is an extract from letter written |
by that lady, when she had accompanied |
Baron and Baroness Meritenski to Saxony,
and was settled there for life:
MY DEAR ERMNE: Everything is perfectly
splendid here, and must hasten to tell bit Of /
delightful news. The baroness will soon present l
her husband with an heir.
Il suppo>e your happiness still continues. Mr..
know will continue TO be one Of the best of
husbands. Well, my dear. do you not see now
how foresighted your mamma wasg II had
not secured the baron ds did, George Gregory
never would have confessed him self jas he did,
and We should still be at the bottom Of the
ladder. Thank me-
How Mountains are Formed.