The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1882-07-06
HOW HE CAME TO THE RESCUE.

Among tho letters which Lord Lyd-
brook found ut the club on his return
from a six months yachting cruise was
one from his sister, Lady Julia March
mont, containing the startling news
that her daughter Eva had actually en-
gagged herself to the second cOachman.
Lord Lydbrook very rarely allowed any
thing to disturb his equanimity, but his
sisters letter caused him genuine un-
casiness. He knew that his niece Eva
was a willful, headstrong girl, with ro
mantle notions and a strong minded
contempt tor conventionalities. Con-
siderable sensation had been caused
last season by young lady Of good
family clipping with her father 5 groom,
and Lord Lydbrook did not wish a
niece of his to disgrace herself by
similar escapade. He considered his
sister the silliest woman of his acquaint-
ance, and as utterly devoid of tact and
discretion as she was amiable, weak and
INDECENT. He trembled to think of the
risk of leaving his niece under the sole
control of her mother in such an emer-
gency, and mindful of the promise he
made to his bosom friend, John March
mont, on his death-bed, to befriend his
children when he was gone, Lord Lyd-
brook summoned sufficient energy to
take the next train to Highnam Hall.
Highnam Hall is in HertfordshiFe,
within two hours of London by the
time he arrived there Lord Lydbrook
had decided on his course of action,
and had assumed his usual placid, inn
perturbable frame OF mind. He had a
long conversation with Lady Julia,
whose complete helplessness convinced
him of the necessity of his interference.
1t appeared that when Lady Julia and
her family were in London, last season,
Miss Eva used to ride in the park every
morning. attended by the second coach
man as groom. The man was a good
looking young fellow, superior TO his
class both in manners and appearance,
with some little education. His civility
attracted the notice of his young
mistress, who got into the habit of ex-
changing a few words with him during
their rides. Some good-natured friend
warned Lady Julia of the danger, real
or imaginary, to which her daughter
was exposed, and the anxious mother,
by her injudicious remonstrances and
reprOaches, succeeded in rouSing Miss
Eva s defiant temper. The groom was
Immediately dismissed with ignominy,
and Miss Eva Marchmont, who probably
had not thought much about him before,
began to fancy she had a regard for
him. The young man worked upon the
girl feelings, and at length persuaded
her to listen to his ardent devotion.
until she one day Mortified her mother
by announcing that she was engaged
to him. Lady Julia left London in the
middle of the season, in the hope of re-
moving her daughter out of the man S
reach, but the young fellow followed
his lady love into the country, and was
at present staying in the village. The
girl seemed determined to have her own
way, and was SO indifferent to her
mothers circumstances, that Lady Julia
had'almost abandoned herself to despair,
and talked in the most foolish manner of
the possibility of a marriage actually
taking place.
Having learned all the details of the
unfortunate affair, Lord Lydbrook Joined
his young nephews and nieces at lunch
con. Lady Julia had several children,
all plain and undressing except Eva,
whose face was decidedly intellectual, il
not handsome She was her uncle S
favorite, perhaps because he was the
only person who could manage her. But
Lord Lydbrook owed this ascendency
rather to his tact and GOODNESS than to
the respect due to his AGE and relation
ship. Miss Eva's rebellious spirit and
passionate temper made her resent the
authority of her elders, and her uncle
was perfectly alive to the delicate ma
ture of the task which lay before him.
Lord LydbrOok's manner was charm
ing when his favorite niece made her
appearance. The young lady had heard
of her uncle's arrival, and was prepared
to defy him, as she had done her moth
er and sisters. She entered the room
with flushed checks and glistening eyes,
ready to hold her own against all the
uncles in the world. To her surprise,
however, Lord LydbroOk greeted her
affectionately and paid her a flattering
compliment. He even inquired after
d" Mr. Charles" and hoped to have the
pleasure of making his acquaintance.
There was no suspicion OF sarcasm IN
her uncle's tone, so the girl was forced
to believe in his sincerity The Mr..
Charles sounded contemptuOus, but
when she reflected that she herself did
not know the surname of her lowly adj
mirer, she could not accuse her uncle of
disrespect. Lord Lydbrook did not en-
barrass his niece by asking further ques-
lions, but proceeded TO give an interest
ing account of his recent expedition,
describing the places he had visited and
the people he had seen in that inimita-
bic vein Of dry humor for which he was
famous among his friends.
After lunch Lord Lydbroolz lit a cigar
and strolled leisurely across the park to
the village. He called at the Three
Cups inn and asked for Mr.. Charles -
The young man looked very i'll at ease