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

Of the late Sir Phillip, lived in stately re
aIement at Oaklands park, and hat
lived there a far longer time than she
cared to remember.
She had been for nineteen years al
utterly solitary woman, save on rare oc
casions, when she had admitted several
near relatives to the honors of short
visit. The only near relations which sine
had were a nephew and two nieces,
George, Ellen and Margaret.
Lady Merton had a son somewhere
about the world, but she had neither
seen or heard from him directly fornear-
ly twenty long years. Richard Merton
was, and always had been, an eccentric
young man.
At the distant date of which we speak
he was a very good-looking, hearty, will
ful youth of nearly FIVE and-twenty.
He had been to college, had travelled,
had soWn his wild oats broadcast. He
then returned to Oaklands park and
Joined in the festivities of Christmas, the
dowager mistress OF the house gathering
round her many friends to do honor to
his long wished for but unexpected re-
turn.
Sir Richard Merton was very kind and
polite to all collected together. A very
fine county collection it was, with many
wise men and beautiful women. But
soon Sir Richard had eyes for none save
Edith Lechmere, the daughter of a
wealthy baronet, who had only one 9TH
er child, the son who was to succeed him
IN the family estate and honors.
Both he and his portly wife, woman
OF tender heart, saw with complacency
Richard Merton, the best match in the
county, looking with admiration on their
lovely daughter.
Lady Margaret Merton liked the girl
as girl, but certainly did not approve
of her as the future mistress of Oaklands
Park.
The day after the festival Sir Richard,
at breakfast, indicated an intention of
calling on the Lechmeres to pay his
respects. His mother looked sharply at
him as he spoke.
'I hope you have not been struck by
that Lechmere girl, Edlth?" she said,
eagerly.
'sWhy not ?" he asked, rather sharp
". ssShe is, indeed most charming
creature"
F'Because it would be a most I'M
fortunate and iniudicious selection" she
answered
s'May [ ask why?" was the rather
quick rejoinder; 'sthe reason why, moth
er NINE"
sBecause, though amiable, she is ex-
oeedingly delicate. Her health is any
thing but satisfactory. Walking is
great exertion to her, while horse exer-
else is out of the question" she went on.
"Such girl is not fit person to be the
mother of the Mertons. We have always
been a stalwart and comely race. No
puny children ever endangered our di-
rect succession"
San yeti believe" said Richard, rath-
er hardly, " that lost two brothers and
q sister-my only one-because of their
delicacy."
Lady Merton turned very pale. This
was severe subject with her, and one
that panied her even now to think Of
"Those deaths were accidents" she
said, and In half mournful, half angry
one. cit is because [ would guard
against any more such contingencies
that I would have guided by reason in
your choice"
81 shall be guided solely by love and
affection in my choice of WIFE," was
his calm and naughty reply, and then
dropped the subject.
After breakfast the baronet dressed
suitably to the season, and then started
for Lechmere Hall on horseback. He
was most cheerfully and Hospitality
welcomed by the baronet and his wife
while Edith received him with shy salts
faction.
Richard Merton was not young MAJ
for any young lady to treat with any
thing else but attention. Handsome
highly accomplished, brilliant in con
yersation, great traveller, he was alsC
an admirable talker.
Edith laughed at her saliies in quie
way, smiled at his quaint way of telling
adventures, and was highly interested IL
his description of foreign courts.
She thought him certainly very ac-
oomplished, fine young English gentle
man, but whether she would view hin
IN the light her friends wished her te
regard him was wholly another thing.