The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-12-28

but of late she had grown passively re-
conciled to her lot. Ten years of the
same unvarying round had quite driven
from her mind any hope of change. She
was only Aunt Margery" TO her neces
and all their giddy circle of young ac-
quaintances, and had quite resigned her
self to remain so to the end of the
chapter.
SO she took little or no interest in the
dutter of preparation caused among the
girls by the coming Of the eligible bachelor,
though with her customary amiabiity, she
was always ready with her advice and as
sistance in matters of the toilet, which
were to help captivate him when he came.
The girls had persuaded Mrs. Dcrwent
to give small evening party the week
after his arrival and as that lady had seen
and approved of him as capital match
for Kate, they had very little difficulty in
getting their own way in the matter and
arranging it on scale of grandeur never
before seen at Maundbury, except at the
stat parties given once year at my Lord
Maundbury's own house, at which royalty
was sometimes present.
But l doubt if even royalty's own
gracious presence could have made that
party more successful; it served for sub
ject of conversation for long time after
ward. Maurice Chester made himself so
agreeable, and proved to be such an adj
mirablc hand at arranging improptu
charades, playing on his violin, dancing,
singing and talking, that he was unani-
mously voted the success of the evening,
and his coming into the neighborhood
was considered an unqualified gain by both
old and young.
The quiet little sleepy town of Maund-
bury went nearly mad over him, and num-
berless were the dinners, balls, and even
ing parties given in his honor during the
next four months.
The name of Maurice Chester was in
every mouth; he was voted "a darling"
"a gen." by the ladies, and "brick,"
and "jolly good fellow" by their
brothers. lie was so dark and sunburned
that he looked his thirty-fiv years, but
then he was tall and handsome, with no.
BILE features and winning manners, and all
the young ladies envied Kate Derwent,
who being the most beautiful and accom-
plished lady in the circle, would natural
ly stand the best chance of winning such
a prize.
Mrs. Derwent had ascertained that he
was not engaged. He had been, in his
early youth, but the lady, clergyman's
daughter, lad died of fever caught
through visiting the poor, on the eve of
their marriage, and he had seen no one
since that he wished to put in her place.
This interesting information being speed
lily circulated, made him more popular
than ever-quite a hero of romance, in
fact.
And mamma says that is very likely
the reason he is so gentle and attentive to
ladics-why, he is quite as nice to her
and other married ladies as to us young
ones, and-did you notice?-the other
evening he actually danced with Aunt
Margeryw
Which last exploit of the hero was evil
IDENTITY considered an unnecessary waste
of his good offices by Miss Derwent.
Still less did she approve of his next
proceeding which was to send to Lon
don for two songs which Aunt Margery
happened to mention had been her favor
ties long ago, but which she had lost
through lending thom to an acquaintance.
ut is all very well, you know, Connie"
she said, in a confidential talk with that
unfailing sympathizcr. Il like him to
be kind and attentive to the poor old
thing, but really that is carrying things
little too far-she might expect the same
attention when we are married, which 1
shall certainly not permit"
You think he really means something,
then, Kate? He has not proposed yetW
'No, but mamma says he is sure to do so
soon. Why, he is here nearly every day,
on some preteXt or other, and what else can
he come forl Beside, don't YOU know that
he has arranged a grand picnic to earn
forth ruins9 Mamma says she is certain
he will ask me then; so, if you see us walk
ing oil together, you will keep off all in
truders, will you notl'
81 will certainly remember that two are
company, but three none, answered Con-
ME, laughing.
She could afford to be good natured for
she was engaged to handsome young
lieutenant, the only son of the rector and
would be married on his return from his
next voyage.
The day of the picnic arrived. The
weather was superb, and everybody was in
high spirits, except the originator of the
holiday. Atstartingh he looked pale, and
his manner was pre-occupied and nervous,
unlike his usual bright, genial self Mrs.
Derwent and her daughter exchanged
glances; Kate's was triumphant, and she
saw herself, in imagination, returning
home the promised bride of the rich and
popular Maurice Chester, of Chester Grove,
as he had renamed his splendid home.
By the time they arrived at their desti-
nation, Maurice had quite recovered his
usual spirits, and was soon rowing Kate
and some other gay young friends on the
lake, while Aunt Margery walked quietly
along its margin alone and rather sad, for
she could not but recall, as the sound of
their merry laughter came to her from the
water, her own bright youth, when she
had been surrounded by love and friend
ship, as Kate was now. She felt little
hurt, too, that Mr.. Chester had not offer
cd her seat in the boat; it was not like
his usual kind thoughtfulncss for all,
which she had so constantly admired in
him.
"Ah, well, am only Aunt Margery to