Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1880-10-27
MERTON'S VENGEANCE,

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The dame Margaret Merton, and widow
of the late Sir Phillip, lived in statelyre-
tirement Mt Oaklands park, and had
lived there a far longer time than she
cared to remember.
She had been for nineteen years an
utterly solitary woman, save on rare oc-
cusions, when she had admitted several
near relatives to the honors of short
visit. The only near relations which she
had were a nephew and two nieces,
George, Ellen and Margaret.
Lady Merton had son somewhere
about the world, but she had neither
seen or heard from him directly for near
ly twenty long years. Richard Merton
was, and always had been, an eccentric
Young man.
At the distant date of which We speak
he was very good-looking, hearty, will
f'll youth of nearly -and-twenty.
He had been to college, had travelled,
had sown his wild oats broadcast. He
then returned to Oaklands park and
joined in the festivities of Christmas, the
dowager mistress Of the house gathering
round her many friends to do honor to
his long wished for but unexpected re-
turn.
Sir Richard Merton was very kind and
polite to all collected together. A very
fine county collection it was, with many
wise men and beautiful women. But
soon Sir Richard had eyes for none save
Filth Lechmere, the daughter of q
wealthy baronet, who had only one 9TH
er child, the son who was to succeed him
III the family estate and honors.
Both he and his portly wife, woman
OF tender heart, saw with complacency
Richard Merton, the best match in the
county, looking with admiration on their
lovely daughter.
Lady Margaret Merton liked the girl
as girl, but certainly did not approve
Of her as the future mistress Of Oaklands
Park.
The day after the festival Sir Richard,
at breakfast, indicated an intention of
calling on the Lechmeres to pay his
respects. His mother looked sharply at
him as he spoke.
II hope you have not been struck by
that Lechmere girl, Edith? ?" she said,
eagerly Wy :. o..
~. "She is, indeed most charming
creature
because it would be a most I'M
fortunate and iniudicious selection" she
answered.
"Muy I ask why?" was the rather
quick rejoinder; "the reason why, moth
CT mine
because, though amiable, she is ex-
ceedingly delicate. Her health is any
thing but satisfactory. Walking is
a great exertion to her, while horse exer-
else is out of the question" she went on.
''Such girl is not a fit person to be the
mother of the Mertons. We have always
been stalwart and comely race. No
puny children ever endangered our d.
rect succession"
can yeti believe" said Richard, rath-
or hardly, that lost two brothers and
sister-my only one-because of their
lelicacy."
Lady Merton turned very pale. This
was severe subject with her, and one
that panied her even now to think of.
"Those deaths were accidents" she
said, and in half mournful, half angry
one. cit is because I would guard
against any more such contingencies
that I would have guided by reason in
your choice"
81 shall be guided solely by love and
affection in my choice of a wife," was
his calm and naughty reply, and then
dropped the subject.
After breakfast the baronet dressed
suitably to the season, and then started
for Lechmere Hall on horseback. He
was most cheerfully and Hospitality
welcomed by the baronet and his wife,
while Edith received him with shy salts
faction.
Richard Merton was not young man
for any young lady to treat with any.
thing else but attention. Handsome,
highly accomplished, brilliant in con.
versation, great traveller, he was also
an admirable talker.
Edith laughed at her sallies in quiet
way, smiled at his quaint way of telling
adventures, and was highly interested in
his description Of foreign courts.
She thought him certainly a very ac-
complshed, fine young English gentle.
man, but whether she would view him
i'll the light her friends wished her to
regard him was wholly another thing.
But Sir Richard was not a hasty OF
ardent lover. He wished to do things as
they should be done, according to rule
and order, and was quite prepared to 60
through the ordinary process of court.
ship, the pleasant flower clad lane which
leads to lnatrimony.
Edith met his attentions with gentle
Indifference, though she appeared al
ways glad to see him, and apparent,
preferred him to all other open and more
obvious suitors.
The baronet and his wife looked or
with smiling satisfaction, and already il
their minds eye saw their daughter Lad,
Merton, in one of the finest positions il
the county.
The time wore on, and the periot
came for the London season. Sir Rich
ard had a town house, which was KEEP
up in the old style.
The young baronet was nothing if no
hospitable, and liked to see his tabl,
grooming under what he called good ole
English fare-none of your French
"kickshaws'' and nonsense.
Though he had travelled be was purel,
and simply English in his tastes. Hi
mother prided herself on this, and con
tlnually drew his attention to how it'll
Edith sympathized with his feelings.
She was dainty little bird, and love<
the tempting deicacies which are Offered
by the learned cuisines of foreign parts
She was not partial to English customs
and cared not for any of the holida,
frolics and dances.
Now it happened that, apart from tn
physical objection, grounded on the frl
ture health Of her grandchildren, Lad,
Merton was very fond of Edith; she wa
therefore good deal with her, and the
had many long interviews. Sir Richar
looked upon these meetings with som
Jealousy. =