Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1880-11-03

Was his mother setting this beautiful
girl against himf Well, the young man
Was too proud and too naughty to in.
quire into details Of these meetings. but
b. soon determined to bring matters 10 .
climax. Mattor-Of-tact, rather stolid in
his nature, Sir Richard WA proportion
ately logged and obstinate il his likings
and dialikines. he loved Edith with q
devotion which waa made up OF the
ardent lover and the paternal protector.
He looked upon Edith M q 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 heaitated long
enough. He would propose, and have
the matter settled.
II was after . dance. Edith had been
the belle :. the evening, and, like many
other delicate grls, was not going to be
beaten In dancing. We have known
young ladies' to whom Q mile walk was
particularly obnoxious, dance eight or
ten hours without complaining.
Edith had been dancing with a certain
young naval officer, q new eligible, q
Lieutenant Spencer Baker, Of excellent
family, and likely prospects, but still a
totally unit person to set himself up az
the sutton Of q 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,
abe happened TO see that her mother was
disengaged, and gave the lieutenant q
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 um.
brageous palm tree. Herthoughts were
far away. At this moment q frm, com
handing step was heard, and she looked
up a~nxioualy. A faint flush covered hel
face. It wa Sir Richard Merton adj
yancing with considerable alacrity to
the spot where she had seated herself
with other hopes and wishes. Edith 20,
mp : pleasant smile for her rather grave
admirer, and he seated himself by he,
side with q very serious air.
"Why have you deserted the ball.
room ?" he asked, in nm earnest tone oil
voice. Everybody il lost in surprise. ;
81 was a little fatigued," she remark.
ed. Il have danced a good deal this
evening""
$50 ] have observed" he went on
quietly y; "peri,aps o than is good fol
you"
at think not" she answered, in a
laughing tone. ~ ain very fond Of
dancing; it does me good"
~ am glad to hear it," he smilingly
responded, sit 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 o lover to make.
He said nothing in answer for one mo-
ment, rejecting deeply the while. Al
last he spoke out.
my dear Miss Lechlnere," he said,
kindly, II have q very important com
~munication to make to you. I had in
tended deferring it until the end of the
season, but l see SO many moths hutter-
ing round the seductive light that I can
defer my words no longer"
"Pardon me-" she exclaimed, in a
frightened way, shut I do not under.
stand"
"My dear Miss Lechmere," he went
on. kindly. vet lOftilv. "I had hona11
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 l can no longer keep
my sentiments concealed. Edith Lech-
mere, will you be my beloved, my hon.
Edith looked at him both in surprise
and alarm.
REALLY, Sir Richard" she said, in a
tone, hesitating and doubling, "this is
SO very sudden"
"Sndden?" exclaimed Sir Richard.
81 had hoped not. My attentions were
sufficiently obvious, I thought"
"Not to me" she continued, in q FIJI
tering voice. 81 knew you liked my
society, but-but you know that Lady
Merton has other views for you."
"What my mothers matrimonial no
tons with regard to myself may be" he
coldly replied, "Ineither know nor care.
l nm a grown man; my choice is made
without regard to the opinions of others.
Your parents, l believe, highly approve
my wishes I only demand your sanction
to speak to them at once"
"Oh, Sir Richard" she cried, " this
is indeed 80 very sudden. / am 60
young. Give me n whole day for re-
lection"
Certainly, Miss Lechmere," with q
kindly smile. This is Monday-I shall
make a morning call on Wednesday. ]
presume ! shall have the felicity Of see-
ing you."
81 q no reason to doubt it." re.
sponded the young lady, who then al
lowed herself to be conducted back tOthe
ballroom, when Sir Richard claimed q
promised dance.
Because it was conventional and the
custom, Sir Richard danced; not that be
liked the practice OF approved Of it. But
in modern society such q 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 i'm
possible to avoid il.
Conversation was his taste and his
forte, but In the caseof Edith Lechmere.
he utterly broke through his rule, and
danced ~ often az the elasticity OF her
programme would allow him to do o
! I'm Hho xnnoonr% nxorn.:cx, 1o -nn -.