Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-10-27

they should be done, according to rule
and order, and was quite prepared to go
through the ordinary process OF court
ship, the pleasant flower clad lane which
leads to matrimony.
Edith met his attentions with gentle
indifference, though she appeared al
ways glad to see him, and apparently
preferred him to all other open and more
obvious suitors.
The baronet and his wife looked on
with smiling satisfaction, and already in
their minds eye saw their daughter Lady
Merton, In one of the finest positions in
the county.
The time wore on, and the period
came for the London season. Sir Rich
ard had a town house, which was kept
up in the old style.
The young baronet was nothing If not
hospitable, and liked to see his table
grooming under what he called good old
English fare-none of your French
"kickshaws" and nonsense.
Though he had travelled be was purely
and simply English in his tastes. His
mother prided herself on this, and con-
tinually drew his attention to how little
Edith sympathized with his feelings.
She was dainty little bird, and loved
the tempting delicacies which are offered
by the learned cuisines of foreign parts.
She was not partial to English customs,
and cared not for any of the holiday
frolics and dances.
Now it happened that, apart from the
physical objection, grounded on the fu-
trre health of her grandchildren, Lady
Merton was very fond of Edith; she was
therefore good deal with her, and they
had many long interviews. Sir Richard
looked upon these meetings with some
jealousy.
Was his mother setting this beautiful
girl against him? Well, the young man
was too proud and too naughty to in
quire into details of these meetings. but
he soon determined to bring matters to a
climax. Matter-of-fact, rather stolid in
his nature, Sir Richard was proportion
ately logged and obstinate in his liklngs
and disikings. He loved Edith with a
devotion which was made up of the
ardent lover and the paternal protector.
He looked upon Edith as pretty child
who required to be pested, humored, and
taken care of, to be treated tenderly,
nrlrtured with care.
At last, however, he came to the con-
clusion that be had hesitated long
enough. He would propose. and have
the matter settled.
1t was after dance. Edith had been
the belle of the evening, and, like many
other delicate girls, was not going to be
beaten III dancing. We have known
young Ladies to whom mile walk was
particularly obnoxious, dance eight or
ten hours without complaining.
Edith had been dancing with certain
young naval officer, new eligible.
Lieutenant Spencer Baker, of excellent
family, and likely prospects, but still
totally unfit person to set himself up as
the sutton of a rich baronet's daughter
and heiress.
But both her father and mother were
playing cards, and she ventured to risk
one dance. But when she concluded,
she happened to see that her mother was
disengaged, and gave the lieutenant
hint to that effect. He at once walked
away, and Edith strolled slowly to the
conservatory, hoping that he might be
able to follow her to this somewhat
secluded retreat.
She seated herself beneath an UNI
brageous palm tree. Herthoughts were
far away. At this moment a firm, COM
handing step was heard, and she looked
up anxiously. A faint flush covered her
face. 1t was Sir Richard Merton adj
vancing with considerable alacrity to
the spot where she had seated herself
with other hopes and wishes. Edith got
up pleasant smile for her rather grave
admirer, and he seated himself by her
side with a very serious air.
"Why have you deserted the ball
room?' he asked, in an earnest tone of
voice. Everybody is lost in surprise
6 L was little fatigued," she remark
ed. s. have danced a good deal this
evening""
$50 I have observed" he went on
quietly; ''perhaps more than is good for
you"
CT think not" she answered, in a
laughing tone. 81 am very fond of
dancing: it does me good"
Il am glad to hear it." he smilingly
responded, sit shows that London dissi-
patton does not affect your health"
mot more than most people" she
one for lover to make.
IS Sflu uOtuIuS Ill answer lot one mo-
ment, rejecting deeply the while. At
last he spoke out.
''My dear Miss Lechmere." he said,
kindly, 81 have very important COM
mrnication to make to you. L had in
tended deferring it until the end of the
season, but [ see so many moths hutter-
ing round the seductive light that I can
defer my words no longer"
''Pardon me-" she exclaimed, in
frightened way, "but I do not under
stand"
"My dear Miss Lechmere,' he went
on, kindly, yet loftily, "I had hoped
you would. From the evening when
first saw you my attentions have been
marked enough. Ny love has grown
with my growth, and strengthened with
my strength, until I can no longer keep
my sentiments concealed. Edith Lech-
mere, will you be my beloved, my hon.
ored wife %
Edith looked at him both in surprise
and alarm