Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1879-04-11

H.. IL
not irreverent," she added. rs she stem
ped from the terrace into the breakfast
room.
Mrs. Courtenay did not reply. She
had seated herself before the coffee-urn,
and was now breaking the seal of n letter
which the servant had just brought in,
with the words:
mo answer, ma'am.n
Any bad news, mammal" inquired
Grace, observing the grave expression of
her mothers countenance as she con-
cluded the letter.
Only q note from Colonel Barksdale
Regrets that he cannot accompany us to
the Haroldsons tomorrow. He has re-
eeived this morning a letter requiring
his immediate presence at home. l sup
pose, she added, thoughtfully, " that he
will return after while; though he says
nothing about it in the note.'
Grace's fair face, as she received her
coffee from her motlsr's hand, betrayed
no great expression ,ipterest.
I'VE can enjoy Ourselves without
him" she said, quietly,
"You forget that we have no escort, p"
remarked the mother.
"Why, mamma, is not Mrs. Somers
going with usP and" she bent her face
rather lower than was necessary us she
slipped her coffee" in that case, sup
pose that either Mr.. Somers-or MIR.
Temple-will also CO."
"Mr. Somers will be away tomorrow,
and Mr.. Temple excused himself from
accepting the Haroldson's invitation.
He probably thought that the colonel's
escort would be sufficient. But | OBJ
serve that he is very much changed of
late, and seems quite to have lost his
former good spirits and taste for society.
He has been here but once in two weeks,
and at Oakland's, seems now rather to
avoid than seek our company"
A faint blush tinged the young girls
light roll with white and jeweled fingers,
while her mother furtively watched
her.
1T is possible that he may be in love
with that pretty Miss Nelson" Mrs.
Courtenay continued, carelessly. THAT
would account for the change in him
as, of course, he must know how impos-
sible it is that he could marry on the lit
tie property he possesses. Miss Nelson
would not encourage him. Indeed it
struck me that she at first rather fancied
the colonel. Not surprising, for he is
| certainly an eltSdub ludu anu IuOSb un-
exceptional match"
He is so old, mammal
"Only thirty-four-,jus old enough to
be settled and thoroughly reliable. In
deed, Grace, any woman might be proud
of such a conquest; and let me assure
you that he has paid you great compli-
ment in fancying young girl such as
you-as he openly shows that he does"
Grace looked up suddenly with half
startled glance, and her blue eyes became
suffused with tears.
"Oh, mamma"
There was something SO appealing and
almost pathetic in the expression, that
Mrs. Courtenay was touched, despite the
vexation that betrayed itself as sho cold
ly said
Understand, Grace, that | do not
wish to force or control your inclinations
But, as | said, Colonel Barksdale is a
brilliant match, and is, moreover, of un-
exceptional character, and calculated to
make any woman happy. You know that
he is paying you most special and mark
ed attention, and confess that l should
be very happy in seeing my daughter so
advantageously married and settled in
life"
Grace attempted tospeak, but her voice
failed her. She pushed away her plate,
played nervously with her spoon, and
finally, looking up and meeting her
mothers eyes, her self-control gave way.
She arose, and, gliding behind her
mothers chair, put her arm around her
neck, laid her cheek against hers, and
said, falteringly:,
Dear mamma, | hope that l shall
never make you unhappyi only, if you
would not speak of this just now, and
appear SO anxious to get rid of your
daughter, who does not wish to leave
you u
"Very well, my dear Only remember
that it is entirely for your own good and
happiness that am concerned. So now
go and practice your new song, and we
will see what we can do about going to
the Haroldson's tomorrow"
Mrs. Courtenay had spoken the truth
in saying that she chiefly desired her
daughters welfare and happiness. But
Just at this time that welfare depended,
in her own opinion, very much upon
her marrying so very unexceptional q
man as Colonel Barksiale.
She was not scheming for money, for
. the colonel's means she knew to be mod
crate, and, besides, Grace had enough of
her own to enable them to be independ-
, ent of that consideration. Grace's father
had been the only child d a very wealthy
, and rather miserly cid gentleman, who
, dying after his son, had bequeathed to
, his granddaughter the whole of his prop
erty, including this fine old place Mt
, which they resided.
/ Colonel Barksdale, STEADY, reliable, in
} fluential and devotedly attached to
} Grace, as he appeared, would secure to
her brilliant positiol, and make her a
Q good husband, if onlJ Grace could be
7 brought to love him flor Mrs. Courte-
5 nay, who had herselfmarried for love,
g did not by any mean ignore this first
| requisite to wonan-happiness in
marriage.
, The balmy April day wore to an end.
1 The sun sank low, land as the golden
a light made long tlae-shadows on the
' fresh, green turf, GIice Courtenay saun-
S tered slowly up and down the garden
/ alleys, where atready the rich jonquils
: and the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS burdened
4 the air with an ORIENTAL perfume. Her
/ head ached, and thGe was vague, dull
s main at her heart. Where had all the
Y iov and brightness Of her life fled since
i morningp
Y The sound of wheels on the graveled
avenue caused her to look around, and
Q through the blossomng lllac-boughs she
J, saw phaeton approaching, wherein sat
S her mothers friend and-her heart gave
Z, sudden thrill-Nlrs. Somers nephew,
Arthur Temple aS She hoped in}Po tbd thIt hoss sne
b, would not be called INTO tne nquse
somehow she shrank from meeting him
ITa had been so changed of late, so differ.
It ent from what he appeared before @ Cp!ont
Barksdale had singled ner our ior niS aat az
e tentions and on all occasions monopoiize'
her. ,,,. oa Gov hor