The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-02-23
attired digger was to blossom into an
English baronet."

English baronet."
I" Neither did for certain but next
mail my cousins death reached me-"
"You'll stay, Sir Hugh, to tea"
Kate had been overwhelmed upon
herring who was Uncle Jeff's friend.
Now she felt ready TO sink on the floor
at the invitation given, especially when
the baronet accepted it.
"That is," he added, turning to her,
''if Miss Wakefield will not find me de
trop, but will accept me as an honorary
member of your societyT
What was that in his voice, his man.
ner, that put Kate at once at her ease
and made her quite sincere in saying
she should be delightedp Whatever it
was she never felt less nervous in pre-
pairing the, evening meal, and never did
it go off better. The conversation never
tagged, and the baronet seemed as il
he had known them Tor years. Then
Jack came in, and tie hours slipped
away, until nearly 10 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 foune out how he had
been studying, and how he had passed
some examinations with eclat, and had
promised to procure him place under
government.
ooh, dear" thought Kate, smiling,
as she retired to rest "What would
Aunt Grashaw say2"
What would she, ana 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 patron. The laronet was gene
rous and pitied Jeff--wanted to make
him Il return for that Australian affair.
But Kate, though the called herself
silly, foolish, vain, could not help fam
cying 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 a
man that dinner-dress became. Kate
thought particularly SO this evening.
"Admiring the view, Miss Wakefield"
he asked,
"Yes it is worthy admiration" !" she
smiled. "Itis beautiful How proud
You must be to say, I'm monarch of
all survey!"
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:
miss akedeld-Kate--Ih have come
to you here to ask if you will share that
pride? If You, whom so honor-you,
the only woman l ever loved or can
love-will be my wife?"
Then she learned hcw his fancy had
| been won for the brother auG sister on
learning Uncle Jeffs story of his return
home how he had been curious to zee
them, and how he had loved Kate from
the very evening that he did.
"You will not refuse me, dear" he
whispered, in conclusion.
Sbe lifted her eyes to his, and as he
drew her to his heart Kate, trem-
bling and happy, did not resist.
II was a great surprise and disap'
pointment to most at Monkbourne, par
ticularly to Mrs. Grashaw, who, how.
ever, was condescending enough to for.
give Kate, and let Nellie act as chief
| bridenaid.
Years have passed; children's happy
voices make musical the air of Beech
holm, aud rise up to Uncle Jelf's ears,
often summoning him to the window.
He is still "poor, ruined Uncle jeff !;
but he doesn't feel so, for he declares
that Sir Hugh and Lady Staiiord'f
behavior toward him makes him ex-
perience sensation rs if he were rather
comforting a favor than receiving one.