The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-11-19

tney nad many long interviews. Sir
Richard looked upon these confidential
meetings with some jealousy.
Was his mother setting this beautiful
girl against himP Well, the oung 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. atter-ot-fact, rather stolid
in his nature, Sir Richard was proper
tionately dogged and obstinate in his
! likinps and disikings. He loved Edith
with devotion which was made I'D of
the ardent lover and the paternal pro-
tector. He looked upon Edith as a
pretty child who required to be petted,
humored. and taken care of, to be
treated tenderly, nurtured with care.
AT last, however, he came to the con-
clusion that he 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 in 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, a new eligible,
Lieutenant Spencer Baker, of excellent
family and likely prospects. but still
totally unfit person to set himself up as
the sutor for 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 underneath an UNI
brageous palm tree. Her thoughts were
far away. At this moment firm, COM
manding step wss heard. and she looked
up anxiously. 2 faint flush covered her
face. 1t was Sir Richard Merton ad-
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 very serious air.
why have you deserted the ball
roomP" he asked, in an earnest tone of
voice. Everybody is lost in sur
PRISE"
II was little fatig ued, she re-
marked. "I have danced good deal
this evening""
80 l have Observed" he went on,
quietly; "perhops more than is good for
you"
81 think not" she answered, in
laughing tone. "I am very fond of
dancing; il does me good"
II am glad to hear it." he smilingly
responded, lit shows that London dissi-
patton does not affect your health"
Not more than most people," she
said, thinking the remark rather an odd
one for lover to make.
He said nothing in answer for one mo-
ment, rejecting deeply the while. At
last he spoke out,
"My dear Miss Lechmere," he said,
kindly, I" 1 have very important COM
munication to make to you. ! had in
tended deferring it until the end of the
season. but l see so many moths hutter-
ing round the seductive light that can
defer my words no longer"
Pardon me-" she exclaimed, in
frightened way, "but 1 do not under.
stand"
v, my MNYda afgr Nisai Sst JhIhtfbmeTem ind be usst usst
you would. From the evening when
first saw you my attentions have been
marked enough. My love has grown
with my growth. and strengthened with
my strength, until l can no longer keep
my scntiments concealed. Edith Lech-
mere, will you be my beloved, my hon
Edith looked at him in both surprise
and alarm.
"Really, Sir Richard" she said, in
tone, hesitating and dout ting, this is
SO very sudden"
"Suddenp" exclaimed Sir Richard.
| GO had hnnad ~ Of
sufficiently obvious, thought"
mot to me-" she continued, in q
faltering voice. az knew you liked m
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, Il neither know nor
care. l am grown man my choice is
made without regard to the opinions OF
others. Your parents, believe, highly
approve my wishes l only demand
your sanction to speak to them at once"
"Oh, Sir Richard" she cried, "this
is indeed so very sudden. / am so young.
Give me one whole day for reflection"
kindly smile. This is Monday-I shall
make a morning call upon Wednesday.
I presume shall have the felicity of
seeing you?'
I" / 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 a 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 n god for
her. He was a man to be more wor-
SHIPPED than loved-at all events. such
was her girlish opinion. Still, 1t 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 five
, o'clock tea. He was due to a dinner
party, and required time to dress before
going out. AS he went up to the door
, 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 upor
= his mother was by no means singular
but he neither liked Eer looks. nor thu
n fact occurring on the eve of his intended
. proposal.
y II was, of course, a natural event, bu
|. still it preyed upon his mind, and by th'
light Of subsequent events, appeare'
A very strange and significant. Going up
II stairs Sir Richard found his mothe
y alone, and in very serious mood.
Good afternoon" he quietly OBJ
n served. miss Lechmore has ust LEI
~ | Won pD