The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-10-21

She no longer thought of turning her
dresses SO often, nor sticking a new bow
here and new bow there;" but in her dark
stuff dresses she looked happier, handsomer
than she ever had at the Grashaws'
''It's quite like setting up housekeeping
for ones self p she laughed, merrily.
The cottage was situate at the other side
of the town to that wherein was the Gra-
shaw's house, SO Kate rarely met them; but
she heard of them and their doings from
one or two of those mutual friends who,
admiring the part the brother and sister
had played, kept up their acquaintance.
From one of these she learned how Sir
Hugh Stafford had arrived at Beechholm
from his world wanderings, and had been
feted accordingly by all the elite of Monk
bourne, the Grashaws' among the number.
"There will be rare pulling caps for the
Baronet among the mothers with marriage
able daughters p laughed the old lady,
Kate's informant; "and entire nous, my
dear, your aunt, Mrs. Grashaw, will not be
behindhandP' p
Kate, seated in the little parlor at work,
found subjects for long trains of thought
out of this. She wondered if Nellie would
win the Baronet? She was pretty enough.
Then would not aunt hold her head high?
Her cogitations were arrested by the
the sound of voices. Looking from the
window, she saw that Uncle Jack had
halted at the gate, apparently to take leave
of friend-a gentleman of about thirty,
with pleasant intelligent face, but-such
was Kate's mental remark-more manly
than handsome.
'EUncle back and no tear' she exclaimed,
springing up. 'Time flies when one is
thinking! Why, uncle is bringing his
friend in If it's to tea, he must just take
what I have got"
Then the door opened, and Uncle John
entered with the stranger, who Kate saw
had exceedingly fine brown eyes.
"My darling" said Uncle John, II have
met an old friend. Pardon me if [ put
you out at all, but [ could not refrain from
bringing him home to introduce him to my
young benefactors.
"Benefactors, Uncle John! Oh, pray,
sir, do not believe that" smiled Kate,
blushing "Ours is rather mutual aid
society"
II think should like to join it, y smiled
the stranger, and those brown eyes dwelt
very admiringly on the young girls face
"May l p
II fear it is impossible" she rejoined
"It's limited in number as in capital. Then
she looked at Uncle John.
81 beg your pardon, Kate, but [ forgot
the introduction. My dear, this is Sir
Hugh Stafford
"Whose place would now long have been
filed by another" said the Baronet, bow
ing, ''but for your uncle, Miss Wakefield,
who, while I was in Australia, years ago,
saved my life, at the risk of his own, from
a rascally bushranger."
II never knew then,' laughed Uncle
John, ''that the young red Garibaldi-attired
digger was to blossom into an English
Baronet."
oNeither did I, certain; but next mail
my cousins death reached me-
"You'n stay, Sir Hugh, to tea?'
Kate had been overwhelmed upon hear
ing who was Uncle Johns friend. Now
she felt ready to sink on the floor at the
invitation given, especially when the Bar
onOt accepted It,
''That is" he added, turning to her, eff
Miss Wakefield will not find me de trop,
but will accept me as an honorary member
of your society?
What was that in his voice, his manner,
that put Kate at once at her ease and made
her quite sincere in saying she should be
delighted? Whatever it was, she never
felt less nervous in preparing the evening
meal, and never did it go off better. The
conversation never tagged, and the Baronet
seemed as if he had known them for years
Then Jack came in, and the hours slipped
away, until nearly ten o'clock, when Sir
Hugh took his leave, asking Jack to walk
part of the way with him to smoke cigar.
When Jack returned he was radiant.
Sir Hugh had found out how he had been
studying and how he had passed some ex-
aminations with eclat, and had promised to
procure him place under government.
"Oh, DEAR" thought Kate, smiling, as
she retired to rest "What would Aunt
Grashaw say?"
What would she and what did she, and
what did all Monkbourne say, when it was
known how constant guest Sir Hugh was
at the cottage? Of course it was as pa
tron! The Baronet was generous and
pitied John-wanted to make him return
for that Australia affair But Kate, though
she called herself silly, foolish, vain, could
not help fancying that there was another
reason for Sir Hugh's coming; and she was
right. One evening, when the Baronet
had had them to dine at Beechholm, and
she had stepped on to the terrace, waiting
for the gentlemen to come from the dining
room, he joined her alone He was man
that dinner dress became. Kate thought
it particularly so this evening.
"Admiring the view, Miss Wakefeld?'
he asked.
Eyes; it is worthy admiration p she
smiled ''It is beautiful How proud
you must be to say, "I'm monarch Of all l
surveyp
Abruptly he had drawn nearer, her hand
was imprisoned in his; his brown eyes were
looking, it seemed, into her very soul, as he
said:
''Mlss Wakefield Kate have come
to you here to ask if you will share that
pride? If you whom [ so honor you the
only woman [ ever loved or can love-will
be my wife p
Then she learned how his fancy had
been won for the brother and sister on
learning Uncle Johns story of his return;
how he had been curious to see them, and
how he had loved Kate from the very
evening that he did.
"You will not refuse me, dear?'' he
whispered, in conclusion.
She lifted her eyes to his, and as he drew
her to his heart, Kate, trembling and hap
py, did not resist.
1t was great surprise and disappoint-
ment to most at Monkbourne, particularly
to Mrs. Grashaw, who, however, was con-
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