The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-08-06
MY BRIDEGROOM.

Ny suitor had come for an answer.
He was old, withered, and grey; but a
carriage stood outside the door of our
| cottage, and from its windows | could
see the turrets of his mansions. So I
| said Yes" with my lips, while my
| whole nature rebelled, and cried out
| "NO, a thousand times No!'
How glad | was when the interview
was over, ana l 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
Eyes" that had been won from me by
Lord Standiland' gold.
| was to pay a 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 bctitting solemnity as we sat over
| tea that evening.
"Grace has so many fine Clothes"
she said ruefully. How can you ever
compete with hcr?"
Il don't mean 10 try" | said, calm
| ly; lat 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 a vague
| idea of having read the verse of poetry
at some period of existence.
well, | said with a laugh, land
am | not going to have new dresses;
two or three, at least? Have you for
gotten uncle Aliens ton-pound note?"
''You are never going to spend
| that?' demonstrated my mother.
''Yes, | am!' l returned. What is
the use of its lying upstairs between
the leaves of my Longfellow. . am
gong to buy some pretty things with
it, for there is no occasion for me to
save money now, since | shall soon
have as much as ! want. On, mOunUr,
| how Jolly that VIII De.
'Ahi Reika," sighed my mother, II
hope you will be happy with that old
| man.
| Her tone seemed to imply that she
| doubted it; but l only smiled. OF
| course | was going to be happy. Why
not?
Ny visit to the Hall was a very
pleasant one, for Grace was lady;
and, if she secretly disliked the match,
she never allowed me or anyone to see
| it. Sweet, calm, and serene, her face
| told me tales. But, in her place, |
| should not have been pleased, and SO l
| fancied she was not However, she
was always kind to me, always con-
! sidorate, and | really loved her.
| One dav | sat alone in the drawing
room, turning over the leaves of
book, when a young man with blue
ewes entered the room, and advanced
! towards me with a smile.
is this my new mama?" he asked,
in slightly satirical tones.
His words brought scarlet flush to
my face, | knew who he was now
the Earl OF Standiland's son and heir
Lord Airline.
II am Reika Marehant, | said,
frigidly.
YES, my new mamma" he said,
| composedly; Il knew / could not be
| mistaken. y
There was a portrait of his father
| over the mantel. and he glanced from
| it to me in a provoking smile.
| 1t was a striking contrast no doubt to
| that picture, with my sunny hair and
| glowing checks; but / hated Lord Ar
| limo 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. ! 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-
turned, quite gravely. You are to be
NY mother. are you not, Reika?"
Ny face flushed unaccountably as he
uttered my name, and, instead of an
Swering his question, | bent over the
| flowers.
Il would give anything in the world
| TO think YOU never would be-" he went
on, and his voice trembled.
.'Do you hate me SO muchP' l asked,
turning to look at him; but | saw
something in his face that made me
very quickly lower my eyes.
From that moment Lord airline
avoided me.
There was no more testing about his
| new mamma, and 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
well. His eyes had betrayed his secret.
| He loved me,
Aud l was to be his step-mother.
1t did seem ridiculous. l could not
hely thinking so as l glauced at my
own young figure. reflected in mirror,
by the side OF Lord Standiland's-old,
bent, and grey.
and my promise must be kept at any
| cost.
| .'Cuthbert is going to leave US" an
| nounced Lady Grace one afternoon;
and l glanced quickly at Lord Airline.
my heart beating painfully.
Il asa tired OF the country" he said,
carelessly, as he handed me cup of
tea, which | could scarcely hold, for
was trembling from head to foot. He
was going away! Well. what did it
matter to me?