The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1880-01-29
tFrom the Cornhill Magazine.1
AN ELDERLY ROMANCE.
CHAPTER III.

own chair with her knitting and he
feet upon the lion-skin; while Mrs
st. Clair beside her, with a basket ful
of bright scraps, had been dressin:
dolls for a bazaar. Sophy was cuttini
off the withered roses with larg
pair of garden scissors; all. their occu
pations were quite as usual. Blu
there was an aspect about the famil.
which was not usual. In the distance
the generals step was audible, pacins
about; and there was an odor OF hi
cigar in the air; all as peaceful, a
homelike, as it always was; but yet
something in the atmosphere which
had not been there yesterday. As
came up with my shawl over my head
the general tossed his cigar away ant
came nearer, and Sophia put down tn
basket with the dead roses, and Mrs
St. Clair got up to get me chair
The only one that had not changed IL
the least was Ursula, who raised he
head and her eyes, and gave me
friendly nod as she always did. Sh,
went on with her knitting without any
intermission. It is work which doe
not demand attention, nor so much
light as doll-dressing. They were al
very glad to see me, more glad ever
than on ordinary occasions; for it was
clear that the situation was highly
tendu, as the French say, and that ;
newcomer was relief.
"What beautiful evening" we al
said together, and then stopped abash,
ed, as people do who have rushed into
the same commonplace speech.
Then Ursula added, 'Of course, thai
is the first thing we must say to eacl
other. [ think there never was such
a summer-so bright, so steady, one
fine day after another. Here is fort
night, or nearly so, that we have not
had one drop of rain
"Quite wonderful" said [. 'The
hay, hear, is sight to see. A day
or two more, and we shall all begin
to pray for rain. We are never con-
tent whatever we have"
"a little variety is always pleasant, "
Mrs. St. Clair said. Meanwhile while
we talked about the weather, the gen.
eral hung about over little group
like storm-cloud. He did not say
anything, but he looked tempestuous;
he, who was always so calm. Presently
he turned away, and went off to say
to Simms, who appeared
just then with note or message.
Il suppose" said Mrs. St. Clair,
turning to me, "you know all about it.
George told us that he had met you,
and told you"
"Yes, he told me;'' but I did not
know what to say; they all wore a
look of agitation, except Ursula, who
was as calm as usual-more calm than
usual, I should have said; but, no
doubt, that was only in comparison
with the agitation Of the rest.
"And [ suppose you think like the
rest, that | will jump at a husband
the moment one is offered to me-"
said Miss Stamford, with smile.
I'VE don't think so, Ursula. We
know it is not the first time. 1t is
only George that is SO frightened,
poor fellow"
'Why should he be so frightened? %
Miss Stamford cried. mo; ii. is not
the first time. I may take that little
credit to myself. | might have my
head turned, perhaps, if it had been
the first time. But, after all, it is not
so much to brag Of [ suppose he
wants somebody to take care of him
when he gets old and feeble; but he
ought to have somebody younger than
ME"
Sixty-fve is not what you would
call young; but it was odd how we all
We're Of opinion that Mr.. Oakley's $
time for being old and feeble was still
a good way off, thing to come. I
acknowledge that shared this weak
ness. We were all about the same
age, and it did not occur to us that we
were already old.
HE shows his sense" said l, taking
the part of the absent to whom no
body did any justice, las well as his
good taste. Poor man, though he is
so rich, | am very sorry for him. |
wish Ursula had met him twenty years
ago when there would have been nc
harm"
mo harm! do you know that he is
nobody man self-made?" said
Mrs. St. Clair; mot a match for
Ursula Stamford, if he had been ever
so young"
''But you did not think of that in
Pia's case, said Sophy; ''he was rich
and you never said a word. Yor
thought it quite reasonable. What
do his grandfathers matter to us?
you said. | am not sure myself
whether it d ,es or not; but you sale
so, you know; and George proposed
the bride and bridegroom at the wed
ding, and everybody was pleased. Nov
this Mr. Oakley is very nice man
whatever you say, for [ had a goot
deal Of talk with him myself; and i
Ursula chose"
"You should not interfere" salt
Mrs. St. Clair; ''you are always senti
mental. Of course, if there is so mucl
as thought of a marriage, Sophy i
always in favor of Hit; but to think O
Ursula at her time Of life!'
"You all talk very much at you
ease about Ursula" said Miss Siam
ford. Il suppose Ursula may have
word, a little share in it, for herself
The way my family consult over me
she said, turning to me with
slight blush and laugh. II thin
George might have held his tongue
that would have been the more salts
factory way"
1T was my fault" | cried, hurriedly
she told me that he thought it woul
be best not to tell you. You mus
forgive me, Ursula, if | gave him ba
advice; Thought you ought to know.
Before | had half said this, I saw
had made mistake: but one mus