Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1880-10-27
changed satisfied glances and eagerly
welcomed him to their house. After q

changed satisfied glances and eagerly
welcomed him to their house. After u
few words the young baronet spoke,
81 suppose" he said, with something
Of hesitation in his manner, you will
not be very much surprised to hear that
l have come to demand an interview with
your daughter-in fact, to offer her my
hand andfortune, as I have already given
her all my love?''
"Proud, indeed" said Sir Arthur,
clasping the hand of the other. Have
you mentioned anything as yet to Edith
Miss Lechmere p
IT said little the other evening, p"
frankly responded the baronet, "but
Miss Lechmere seemed agitated, and
asked for time, until to-day
"Oh - said the baronet, 81 did
notice a little change in her manner at
breakfast. She appeared somewhat
Hurried and agitated. Dear girl! Twill
ring for her."
A maid came and at once hurried off
to summon Miss Lechmere to her fathers
presence. She returned after a few
minutes, in a very agitated state, and
declared that Miss Lechmere was no.
where to be found.
The father turned crimson, the mother
was pale and agitated, the young baro-
net cold, stiff and naughty.
| "Did any one see her go out ?" asked
the elder gentleman, in tone of sup
pressed passion.
At this moment Edith's own maid,
her personal atten liant, appeared on the
scene. She held dainty little note in
her hand, which she handed to Sir
| Arthur. The baronet opened the letter
furiously, and read it, waving the SER
wants to leave the room. He glanced at
the beginning, and then read aloud:
'DEAR PAPA AND MAMMA: Sir Richard Mer-
ton is coming this morning to ask for my heart
| and hand. 1 do admire him very much, like
him almost as much as any man know. except
! one, but cannot be his wife. am sure am
not suited to him. Lady Merton knows it well.
AS am afraid you would wish me to accept
your good friend and neighbor, I have thought
fore you receive this shall be married by
special license to MI. Spencer Baker, whom 1
love very much, and who will make me very
happy. Forgive your loving daughter,
EDITH"
"Spencer Baker, the audacious for
tune-hunter," cried the exasperated bar
onet. Courses light on him and her.
Ungrateful wretch-no money of mine
shall she ever have. Then she will see
what it is to marry a beggar."
II will retire, said Sir Richard, in a
tone Of deep disappointment, not unac-
companied by anger. 81 think Miss
Lechmere might have been more frank
with me-"
"No, the hypocritical hussy," contin-
ued her father, purple with passion. "I
hope she may live to repent. But she is
no child of mine. May the malediotion
Of
Hush," said the mother, said the
mother in an agonized voice. " curse not
your only daughter! Poor child! She
will be the most deeply punished She
has chosen poverty and exile, for Lieu
tenant Spencer has, [ know, been Or
dered to Canada
"Ah!' cried the elder baronet.
But what further he intended to say
was cut short by the leave-t taking of his
young friend.
Sir Richard Merton went out in !, tow
ering passion. He had one idea. This
great disappointment in his life was due
to his mother. It was to her absurd
prejudice against the delicate young girl
that had induced her refusal; of this he
had not the shadow of a doubt.
His mind was made up. He went to
his club and sent for his man, to whom
he gave rapid orders.
"Pack up everything" he said, in a
cold, iron, "and bring them to Wright's
| I 1A 10 4l1
some time. Give this letter to my
MOTHER
That letter Lady Merton read with
pallid cheeks and fearful eyes:
MOTHER: You have caused me to be re-
that she was in delicate health. Actuated by
fear of your judgment, she has eloped and
made silly marriage. You can forgive your
self never can. I leave England. 1t is i'm
possible to say whether I shall ever return or
not. Oaklands is yours as long as you live.
! My interest in it has ceased forevernore
RICHARD MERTON"
Nothing more, nothing less.
That evening the young baronet left
London, and to the time when we refer
to Lady Merton was alone at Oaklands
Park. Twenty years had elapsed, and
she has neither seen nor heard from her
son.
It wants now week to Christmas.
From habit and custom Lady Merton
will have Christmas festivities as in the
olden time. George Merton is there,
the heir apparent, while Ellen and Mar
garet Denham, her sisters orphan chill
dren, are also present for visit.
It is morning, and breakfast is just
over, when a railway fly rattles up the
avenue, and loud knock is heard at the
door. The mistress of the house can see
without moving from her seat. A young
lady, fashionably attired, aights with a
maid and ascends the steps.
"Who can it be?" asks Lady Merton,
rising from the table, in a slightly agi-
tated way. 81 cannot remember any
other guest who was invited.
"Some self-elected visitor" says
George, with frown.
He is very jealous of any one getting
into his aunt's good graces.
The butler enters with a letter. He
looks very scared and puzzled.
"Miss Merton to see her grand-moth.
err he says, in a rather alarmed tone.
George Merton grew CHASTITY pale.
There is, then, direct heir?
"Show her in,' gasped the lady
sinking into chair, around which the
three stand, her nephew and two nieces
There enters tall, slight girl, who
advances to where the dowageris seated
my grandmother, I presumed" sht
said, in the sweetest of sweet voices.
eyes, my dear" is the answer, "fo1
can see at once that you are Merton.
"Win you read this letter." she con
tinued, taking it from the hand Of thu
butler.
Lady Merton adjusts her spectacle
and reads, while the other takes a seat
"LADY MERTON: My husband, your son, ha
gone on on expedition to Africa. have reason
to believe he has either been killed or wounded
I am about to start in search of him. MY sol
Richard is at school. I think it only right t.
send my daughter and namesake to your car
until my return. Yours. LUCY MERTON.
~ am very glad you have come,
said the old lady, tearfully and kindly
"These are your cousins. I will orde
| vO11r room Re seated nv tho fro xuh;1,