American citizen., 1881-05-21
You will find plenty of amusement

else to have the management OF the
place in your own hands" And Ross
was well pleased to be able to prove
his ability.
Sir Austen had not thought of being
away longer than two months; but in
this case the adage of .'NIan proposes"
was verified. Passing through Paris on
his way to Spain. he stayed few day IS
with some old friends, Lord and Lady
Sligo. At their house he met beau
tiful English girl, who, from the first
moment she saw him, marked him for
her own. She was distant relative of
Lady Sligo, clever and accomplished,
and at the age of twenty-siX still I'M
married. Sir Austen, who had never
given even a thought to the sex since
the death of his beloved wife. fell an
easy victim; and Hester Reyburn be-
came Lady Cumnor almost before Sir
Austen knew what he was doing.
They were married at the English
Embassy. Lord and Lady Sligo, with
host of fashionable friends, were
present. The marriage was hurried
on, because Hester declared the one
great desire of her life was to visit
Spain. But the fact was, Sir Austen
talked so much and so often of his son
that she was afraid, if he once went
away from Paris without her, Ross
would prevent the marriage. In her
bland, amiable way she had contrived TO
obtain every information from Sir Aus
ten. She knew that, although his title
must descend to his son, his estates
were not enrailed, and that, if he chose to
do SO, he could leave them to her; and
she resolved that he should at least
give her the greatest share of them.
She talked to him continually about
this son of his who so strongly re-
sembled his beautiful Spanish mother;
and in her heart even then she was
jealous of him. Sir Austen believed it
was her kindly interest in all that con-
cerned him which made her ask SO
many questions; and he was delighted
to give her every detail about the boy
his feats in the hunting field and with
the gun, his skill in all manly sports
and the fine arts, his polished manners
spoke from the depths of his heart. for
his SON was to him the very apple of
his eye Hester knew by her own keen
instinct that all would be lost for her if
father and son met before her mar
riage. Therefore she affected great
desire to go to Spain, .'the land of
chivalry and romance" she said. Il
have always longed to. see il"
OF course, Sir Austen could say
nothing less than that her wish should
be gratified; and, as they were en-
gagged, it was hardly worth while to de-
fer the marriage until he came back
from Spain. 1t was just little against
his better judgment that he married
hastily. He did not ask his son over to
the wedding. Lady Sligo told him it
would be much better not to do so.
..It would be awkward" she said,
for young bride like Hester to have
q grown-up son at her marriage, and,
of course, Hester must be consulted
first"
So Sir Austen merely wrote to his
son to tell him of the great impending
change, and that his journey would be
They had been away fifteen months
when this Christmas Eve came round;
and Ross, in compliance with his
wish, had invited some of his
old friends to meet him on his return.
Dinner had been ordered for eight,
and the great clock had struck the
hour of seven, when Ross first heard
the sound of approaching wheels. He
rose hastily from his chair, and sought
comfort by pacing up and down the
room.
Il suppose it is childish he said;
sbut l do not like to know that my
mothers place is filled. I am afraid
that shall hate the woman who sits in
her chair, wears her jewels and takes
her name. 1t will seem hard to me to
hear my father use loving words to her.
The feeling is childish and unreason-
able, perhaps. My father had a per-
feet right to please himself. l must
try to conquer myself. At least, L will
receive her kindly. l must never for
get that she is q woman-and lady"
So, when the carriage stopped, he
went down to the hall door. His
father was the first to descend, and
Ross hastened to him. After the
fashion of Englishmen, there was no
scene, no embracing; nothing but an
eager clasp of each hand told how de-
lighted they were to meet again. The
sons heart went out to his noble,
genial father, and the
fathers to his handsome, eager, i'm
petuous son. They stood together in
silence for few moments; and then
Sir Austen said, gently:
81 am glad to sec you again, my
boy"
"And 1. father-I am glad to see
you.'
Then came the sweet sound OF a
voice. Sir Austen turned
hastily.
81 have brought quite a large family
home, Ross" he said. "Come and
welcome my treasures.
A tall, graceful, superbly-dressed
approached them; and Sir Aus
m 49,
"My dearest wife. let me introduce
TO you my son."
Ross looked at the veiled figure be-
fore him. The costly velvets and furs
trailed on the ground. She raised her
veil hastily, as though she wished to
speak, and he was almost stricken dumb
by the sight of her beautiful face. She
was exquisitely fair; but, instead of the
meek. amiable expression that general
" accompanies blue eyes and golden
hair, this lady had a proud, determined
Ook; and he did not like the express
sion of her eyes-no tenderness or love |
ay in them. She raised her face to his,
and he lightly touched her cheek. with
MS lips. Sir Austen looked on delight
I'd.
"That is right" he said. "When |
my wife and my son have learnedtolove |
each other, my happiness will be COM
olete."
(Which sonP' asked her ladyship,
aughingly, as she drew her rich furs |
md velvets round her and hastened in
10 the hall, which was lined by servants
in the Cumnor livery.
Ross wondered just a little at her
words; and then he was standing face
70 face with the loveliest girl he had |
ever beheld-face to face before he had |