The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1880-10-30

? his mother was by no means singular.
but he neither liked her looks. nor the
| fact occurring on the eve of his intended
proposal
1t was, OF course, a natural event, but
, still II preyed upon his mind, and by the
hight OF subsequent events, appearel
very strange and significant Going up
3 stairs Sir Richard found his mother
alone, and in very serious mood.
! : Goodafternooon," he quietly OBJ
served. Miss Lechmere has Just LETT
, You?
Yes, was the cold reioinder. "she
= came 10 spend an hour and have a chat
with me-
Indeed! Did theyoung lady intimate
anythingof my intention TO visit her in a
formal way?" he asked.
She alluded TO the NATTER Was the
cold and grave answer, but | am not
here to dlvulge young ladies secrets. :
And she handed him fresh cup of
tea, which he drank almost in silence,
then went slowly up stairs, and dressed
Tor dluner. He saw no more of his
mother that day, nor did he the next
morning, rs, In consequence of a head
ache, said her maid, she did not come
down to breakfast.
About twelve, Sir Richard Merton.
Who was IN too great hurry to bt bound
by exact conventional rules, called on Sir
Arthur and Lady Lechmere, who ex-
changed satisfied chances and eagerly
welcomed him TO their house. After a
few words the young baronet spoke.
suppose. he said, with something
OF hesitation in his manner, you will
not be very much surprised to hear that
have come 10 demand an interview with
vour daughter-in fact, TO offer her my
hand andfortune. rs | have already given
her al my love ?"
Proud, indeed" said Sir Arthur.
clasping the hand of the other. Have
YOU mentioned anything rs vet to Edith
Miss Lechmere r.
: SAID little the other evening"
frankly responded the baronet, " but
Miss Lechmere seemed agitated. and
asked for time, until to-day"
Oh = said the baronet 4 did
notice a little change III her manner Mt
breakfast. She appeared somewhat
Hurried and agitatei. Dear girl, Twill
ring for her "
\ maid came aud nj once hurried off
to summon Miss Lechmere to her fathers
presence. She returned after few
minutes, in Il very agitated state, and
declared that Miss Lechmere was no.
whore to he found
The father turned crimson, the mother
WAS pale and agitated the young bare
net cold, stiff and naughty.
Did any one see her go out :" asked
the elder gentleman, i'll Il tone of sup
pressed passion.
At this moment Ediths own maid,
/ her personal atten ant, 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 nv heart
and hand | do admire him very much. like
nm almost as much a. any man | know. except
one. but | cannot be his wife. ! am sure | am
not suited to him. Lady Merton knows it well.
A. alu AFRAID you would wish me to accept
your good friend and nelgAbOr / have thought
il better to render the union impossible Be
fore you receive this | shall be married bv-
special license to Mr.. Spencer Baker, whom |
love very much. and who viii make me very
EDITH"
Spencer Baker, the audacious for
tune-hunter, cried the exasperated bar
Onet. Curses light on him aud her
UngratefuI wretch-no money Of mine
shall she ever have Then she will see
what It IS to marry a beggar.
- will retire, said Sir Richard, in a
tone Of deep disappointment, not unac-
commando lDv aOrnr 81 thipl, Mss