The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-10-13

society, but-but you know that Lady
Merton has other other views for you. !"
"What my mothers matrimonial
notions with regard to myself may be, !"
he coldly replied, II neither know nor
care. / am q grown man my choice is
made without regard to the opinions of
others. Your parents, l believe, highly
approve my wishes / only demand
your sanction to speak to them at once. !"
"Oh, Sir Richard" she cried, "this
is indeed so very sudden. am so youngl
Give me one whole day for reflection" 7"
Certainly, Miss Lecllmere," with a
kindly smile. This is Monday-I shall
make morning call upon Wednesday.
1 presume / shall have the felicity of
| seeing youP"
1 see no reason to doubt it," re-
sponded the young lady, who then al
lowed herself TO be conducted back to
the ballroom, when Sir Richard claimed
promised dance.
Because it was conventional and the
custom, Sir Richard danced; not that he
liked the practice or approved of it..
But in modern society such formula
would have raised too great storm
upon his devoted head, and he never
ventured to expound it. He danced,
| therefore, under protest, and only when
it appeared impossible to avoid it.
Conversation was his taste and
his forte, but in the case OF
Edith Lechmere he utterly broke
through his rule, and danced as often
as the elasticity of her programme
\ would allow him so to do. On the
present occasion he was unusually ten
der, condescending, and attentive.
| Edith remarked his manner, and was
very silent and thoughtful. She could
not but admire his intellect, and his
magnificent physical beauty. Still, he
seemed almost too much of god for
| her. He was man to be more wor-
| SHIPPED than loved-at all events, such
was her girlish opinion. Still, it was the
wish OF her parents, she knew, and
what was poor she to do.
With deep sigh she abandoned her
self to the stream of fate, determined to
be guided by the force of events, what
ever they might be.
Next day Sir Richard Merton made
many calls, and returned only to a i've
o'clock tea. He was due to a dinner
party, and required time to dress before
| Miss Lechmere came out, looking very
| serious and thoughtful. Sir Richard
| shook hands, and handed her to her car
riage with great politeness and tender
| ness. That she should have called upon
! his mother was by no means singular
but he neither liked her looks, nor the
fact occurring on the eve of his intended
proposal.
1t was, of course, natural event, but
still it preyed upon his mind, and by the
light of subsequent events, appeared
very strange and significant. Going up
stairs Sir Richard found his mother
alone, and in very serious mood.
Good afternoon" he quietly oh
served. Miss Lechmore has just LETT
youp"
"Yes," was the cold rejoinder; " she
came to spend an hour and have a cha
with me-"
"lndeed! Did the young lady init
mate anything of my intention to visi
her in q formal wayP" he asked.
She alluded to the matter" was th'
cold and grave answer, but l an
not here to divulge young ladies' Sc
crets"
And she handed him fresh cup of tea
which he drank almost in silence, thel
went slowly upstairs, and dressed TO
dinner. He saw no more of his mothe
that day, nor did he the next morning
IS, in consequence of a headache, sai(
; her maid, she did not come down t.
breakfast.
5 About twelve, Sir Richard Merton
who was in too great a hurry to bt
bound by exact conventional rules
} called on Sir Arthur and Lady Lech
: mere, who exchanged satisfied glauces
and eagerly welcomed him to thei
r house. After few words the youn
baronet spoke.
} 81 suppose" he said, with somethin
/ of hesitation in his manner, you wi
/ not be very much surprised to hear tina
e | have come to demand an intervieN
r with your daugbter-in fact, to offer he
my hand and fortune, as l have alread
: given her all my love?"
f " Proud, indeed" said Sir Arthur
: clasping the hand of the other. " HaV
you mentioned anything as yet to Edit
: Miss Lechmerew
i Il said little the other evening
frankly responded the baronet, :" bl
J, Miss Lechmere seemed agitated, an
r asked for time, until to-day"
"Ohw said the elder baronet, di
a notice little change in her manner ;
II breakfast. She appeared somewh:
furried and agitated. Dear girl! / wi
y ring for her,"
i A maid came and at once hurried c
to summon Miss Lechmere to h
e fathers presence. She returned aft
d some minutes in a very agitated stat
and declared that Miss Lechmere w
J. nowhere to be found.
It The father turned crimson, the moth
was pale and agitated, the young bar
l, net cold. stiff and naughty.
l. did any one see her go outP" ask
4 the elder gentleman, in a tone of su
le pressed passion.
r At this moment Edith's own mai
IN her personal attendant, appeared on Il
scene. She held dainty little note
a her hand, which she handed to S
T. Arthur. The barOnet opened the lett
iuriously, and read it, waving the st
Mt wants to leave the room. He glanced
ed the beginning, and then read aloud:
en- DEAR PAPA AND MAMMA:
en- Richard Merton is coming this morni
gn to ask for my heart and hand. do q
til mire him very much, like him almost
ep much as any man / know, except OF
h but / cannot be his wife, [ am surt