The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-11-20
MISS MONKT0N'S MAR
RIAGE.
BY THE AUTHOR OF "A FRENCH HEIRESs
IN HER OWN CHATEAU"
CHAPTER 1 -(CoNr1NuEp.)

miHu oide ~ Wouiu U6 uluCH I1OTc COu-
venient to everybody if he slept in a lit
tie room near the hall door, which was
at present filed up with old books,
boxes and lumber. II was therefore
Gle red out and made ready for him.
Then when it was finished, and Sir
George walked in to look at it, he imme-
diateIy ordered out the FIRE and the
carpet. His habits were simple, he said.
He did not wish to accustorn himself to
luxuries, or to give any unnecessary
trouble.
All being at last arranged, Letitia and
her cousin wished Sir George goodnight
and went up stairs together. Before
going ON into her own room. which was
inside Florinda's, the girl stopped to kiss
her and say goodnight. Mrs. Bushe was
agood deal taller than Letitia. She held
her in her arms, and looked down into the
bright face with tired loving eyes.
cousin Florinda, you look worn out"
said Letitia. "Now listen to me. Don't
get up tomorrow morning. / will give
papa his breakfast"
Il could not desert my post, my dear,
thank you."
20, we'll, you need not blame me for
being obstinate. What plaques men
arel Don't you think papa must drive
his aid-de-camp quite mad? And who do
you suppose he has made into a hero
now%
T can't guess, indeed" said Mrs.
Bu>he.
"That stupid heavy fellow, Humphrey
Barrett. He saw him in town last week.
And what do you think? He told him
that this ball OF theirs is given in compii-
ment of me. Because I told Humphrey
Twas fond of dancing. That must be a
story, you know. Mrs. Barretttold you
ofitbefore." ~ i
"She did," said Florinda, coloring.
"But to do them justice, her chief
idea seemed to be that it would please
you."
"Op' said Letitia.
Perhaps Florinda Bushe was scarcely
fit person to have the care of her, for she
never could help telling her the truth.
Under Lettia's smiling penetrating gaze,
no plot, no secret, was safe with her
cousin. She looked away, she tried to
move aside, hut Letitia took hold Of her
arms and held her fast.
"There is some plot I see," she said,
"And you seem to be in it. You, the
Barretts, and papa. What does it all
meanW
"A plot, my dearw said Florinda.
III can't understand you. You are talk
ing nonsense" ....r
Letitia's laughing face grew graver and
more determined.
"A plain question, then-and I'll have
plain answer. Have you all taken it
into your.heads that l am to marry
young Barrett? Tell ME the truth,
pryl
'Ietitia. have l ever deceived your
cousin Florinda, if you ever tried,
you never succeeded. Come, you must
not be angry. You love me, l know;
you don't wish to make me miserable,
and the less you sny,s the more | shall
suspect. Unless you tell me the whole
truth at once, won't 60 to the ball. I'll
fall down stairs and brtak my leg."
"A sprained ankle would answer the
purpose, and he well sooner" said
Florinda, smiling family. "Well, I'll
trust to your honor to behave like a
gentle woman. Mrs. Barrett has taken
it into her head, certainly; she has limited
as much to me several times. And sup
pose her son has too. Itseems from what
you say he has made some advances to
Sir George, which have not been unfa-
vorably received"
"And they all forget that there is one
other person to be consulted" cried
Letitia, stamping her foot. "What have
done to be given away to a lout like
that! / hate and detest him! How can
papa-how can you think such thing
pos -ible"
"He is heir, you see, to afne property.
There is some talk of his standing for the
county. His politics and your papa's
are the same; and no one has a word to
say against his character"
"Ugly wretch!" said I.etitia. "I hate
these old country families. Their brains
are as thick as the mud in their fields.
When want to bury myself alive, I'll
do it under pleasanter circumstances
You never thought / would marry him,
surely~ ...fug H@'r, r.
Hereyes sparkled Indignantly as she
looked at her cousin. Florinda kissed
her flushed forehead, and answered
quietly, =
II hardly thought you would be
pleased with the idea. Now go to bed,
nay dear child, and to sleep. Of course
your own wislIes will he consulted."s
II should think soP' said Letitia, be-
ginning to laugh. a.st rt 81
Two hours later, Mrs Bushe stole into
her charges room. Letita was sleeping
like child, though there was a damp
hmk about the long eyelashes that lay on
her rosy cheeks. She moved and smiled
az her cousin bent over her. Was she
dreaming Of the ball?