The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-07-02
MY BRIDEGROOM.

He was old, withered, and grey; but n
carriage stood outside the door of our
cottage, and from its windows | could
see the turrets OF his mansions. SO |
said Yes" with my lips, while my
whole nature rebelled, and cried out
'.No, thousand times No!''
How glad | was when the interview
was over, and | could be alone to think
over my future and all the delights
that would be mine as Lady Standi-
land.
had iirted no lover in becoming his
promised wife, for ! had been fancy
free when he came TO woo so it was
strange that every now and then |
should feel as if | must resign my
brilliant prospect and take back the
yes that had been won from me by
Lord Standiland's gold.
] was 10 pay visit to the Hall. and
make the further acquaintance of Lady
Grace-my future step-daughter; but
Lord Standiland had given me week
for my preparations.
Poor mother looked a little blue
when | told her this item of news, al
though she was pleased enough to hear
of my engagement, which | announced
with beiitting solcmnity as we sat over
tea that evening.
"Grace has so many fine Clothes"
she said ruefully. How can you ever
compete with her?"
Il don't mean TO try" | said calm
ly; ''at least, not until am married.
There, don't look so woebegone; beauty
unadorned is adorned the most, you
know"
Let no woman think, however fair,
she is not fairer in new clothes than
Old" quoted my mother, with d vague
idea of having read the verse Of poetry
at some period of existence.
We'll, - said with laugh, land
am | not going to have new dresses;
two or three, at least? Have you for
gotten uncle Aliens ten-pound note?"
You are never going to spend
that?" demonstrated my mother.
YES, | amt returned. What is
the use of its lying upstairs between
the leaves of my Iongfellow.' | am
it, for there is no occasion for me to
have as much as | want. Oh, mother,
how Jolly that Will be!''
''Ah. Reika,' signed my mother, Il
hope you viii be happy with that old
man.
Her tone seemed to imply that she
doubted it; but | only smiled. Of
course l was going to be happy. Why
not?
My visit to the Hall was very
,,lnoSort f,rrnn la1v.
and, if she secretly dislikcd the match,
she never allowed me or anyone to see
il. Sweet, calm, and serene, her face
told me tales. But, in her place, |
should not have been pleased. and so |
fancied she was not. However, she
was always kind to me, always con-
siderate, and | really loved her.
One day l sat alone in the drawing
room, turning over the leaves of a
book, when young man with blue
eyes entered the room, and advanced
towards me with smile.
is this my new mama?" he asked,
in slightly satirical tones.
His words brought a scarlet flush to
my face, | knew who he was now
the Earl of Standiland's son and heir
Lord Airline.
- am Reika Marchant," l said,
frigidly
Yes, my new mamma" he said,
composcdly; Il knew l could not be
mistaken. =
There was portrait of his father
over the mantel. and he glanced from
it to me in provoking smile.
1t was astrikin@ contrast no doubt 10
that picture, with my sunny hair and
glowing cheeks; but | hated Lord Ar
line for drawing my attention to the
fact.
Yes, he was decidedly hateful per-
sonage.
We never could agree from the first
moment we set eyes on each other, for,
unlike his sister. he showed his dislike
to the match pretty openly. l should
not have minded that had he not per-
sisted in calling me Mamma.
please call me anything but that, "
| said to him one day, when we
happened to be alone in the conserya-
tory.
What else can l call you?" he re-
my mother, are YOU not, Reika?"
Ny lacc huSueu undCcOunlaDly as he
uttered my name, and, instead of an
swering his question, bent over the
flowers.
4 would give anything in the world
to think you never would be-" he went
on. and his voice trembled."
DO you hate me so much?' l asked,
turning to look at him; but l saw
something in his face that made me
very quickly lower my eyes.
avoided me.
There was no more testing about his
new mamma, anu if We were alone to-
gether he would instantly walk away
| did not question him as to the
meaning of the change | knew it too