The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1884-01-30

use1ul 10 call up IN the night In case OF
sudden illness, to help take care of the
children, and to make herself generally
useful, as poor relations are expected to
do, she ceased to grumble, and Mar
gerry found herself settled at Derwent
house, with a sort of half-recognition in
society, the back seat of the carriage,
the coolest place at the fireside always
hers, in return for being constantly at
every ones beck and call.
She had never been a beauty, but she
had been pretty and lively, and much
sought after in society when she was the
only darling of rich man, and at first
the change had been very bitter to her,
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 nieces
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
flutter Of preparation caused among the
girls by the coming of the eligible bachelor,
though withber customary amiability, she
was always RI Ady 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. Derwent
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 a scale of grandeur never
before seen at Maundbury, except at the
stately parties given once year at my Lord
Maundbury's own house, at which royalty
was sometimes present
But doubt if even royalty's own
gracious presence could have made that
party more successful; it served for a sub
ject of conversation for a long time after
ward. Maurice Chester made himself so
agreeable, and proved to be such an ad-
mirable 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,"
ga gen." by the ladies, and "brick, I"
and a 'jolly good fellow" by their
brothers. He was so dark and sunburned
that he looked his thirty-fve 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, a clergyman's
daughter, had died of a 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 hero of romance, in
fact.
"And mamma says that is very likely
the reason he is so gentle and attentive to
|
and other married ladies as to us young
ones, and-did you notice9-the other
evening he actually danced with Aunt
Margeryw
Which last exploit of the hero was evil
IDENTIFY 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 than to an acquaintance.
1t is all very well, you know, Connie, ~
sheSaid, in a confidential talk with that
unfailing sympathizer. ~ like him to
be kind and attentive to the poor old
thing, but really that is carrying things a
little too far-she might expect the same
attention when we are married, which ]
shall certainly not permit.
''You think he really means something,
then, Kate2 He has not proposed yet2n
"No, but mamma says he is sure to do SC
soon. Why, he is here nearly every day,
on some pretext or Other, and what else can
he come fort Beside, don't you know that
! he has arranged a grand picnic to Carn-
} forth ruins2 Mamma says she is certain
he will ask me then; so, if you see us walk
ing off together, you will keep off all in.
truders, will you not2"
81 will certainly remember that two are
company, but three none, answered Con.
ME, laughing.
She could afford to be good -natured, fol
1 she was engaged to handsome young
t lieutenant, the only son of the rector, and
, would be married on his return from hiI
next voyage.
, The day of the picnic arrived. Tht
weather was superb, and everybody was il
high spirits, except the originator of th'
holiday. At startinghe looked pale, and
J his manner was pre-occupied and nervous
unlike his usual bright, genial self. Mrs
t Derwent and her daughter exchanged
: nlnnces. Katala ,.,ns tri,1nn,,hnnt nnd ch.