Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1885-10-22
Their Visitors.

ntertaining their intended Englishs
visitor, young Andrew Carten, who, il
Is understood, would be attened by
his travelling servant or companion.
Mr.. Bearslay. Mrs Nation was a
widow, having married at an early
age; her daughters were now but II
and Is. 3 E
What brought Csrten to the quiet
village home Of the Nations the Nal.
tons could not divine, the placidity
of their life in the New England town
of Harper, thought, could present no
attraction to their foreign cousin, whom
they had known by q report as a
wealthy son who had lately succeeded
to his inheritance.
"Mother," said Laura, the younger
daughter, 81 wish they were not com
ing, l am afraid of Mr.. Carten already.
don't think it is right that he should
come her to mar our peace"
eyes," said her sister Annie, who
had just returned from the garden;
"why should man like that want to
contemplate an American girl engaged
at work as I've been2 Then that COM
panion-I suppose he has wig and
quotes Latin, has thin legs and is
afraid of dogs. Indeed, mother, they
will both be displeased in u.s."
Daughters" said Mrs Nation, "Mr.
Carten's father, though only distant
cousin, was kind to me, and had l
chosen to remain with my kin in Eng
land, I'd never have had to see myself
and you SO poor as we are now.
married poor and tried my fortunes
with your father here alone"
In the train approaching Harper
sat Carten and Bearsley; the latter
was evidently nervous, as he remarked
to his companion:
"Carten, my boy, it is good of you
to take me here to see Mary Creston,
or Mrs. Nation, as she is now. If l
ought not to remind her Of her former
love for me by revealing my identity l
can go away again and she will never
know. 1t has been nearly Is years
since I've seen her; maybe she has
forgotten her friend and Nations
rival"
"Dcn't mention it, Tom," replied
Carten. "For your sake, it's small
service. We will soon be there; let
us wait and see."
Arriving at the Nations place at
night only Miss Nation received them.
The Euglishmen were pleased. The
simplicity and natural beauty of the
surroundings assured them of COM
plete repose, while Bearsley was more
than happy in finding Mrs Nation
still attractive. Carten was not un-
happy with Laura and Annie, who in
turn were not so abashed after all in
the presence of the Englishmen, who
they had previously thought would be
Indifferent to them, if not critical.
AT breakfast on morning soon al
ter their arrival Carten suggested a
fishing jaunt, which the young ladies
were inclined to accept upon Mrs.
Nations being prevailed upon to ac-
company them. Bearsley was de.
lighted and nearly betrayed his feel
ings by familiarly dropping tae Mr..
in addressing Carten and almost fall
ing into the further familiarity of a
compliment to to Mrs. Nation.
On their way to the river Mrs. NAL
ton found herself committed to Bears
ley's charge, whose greater experience,
it was argued, would be of much ad-
vantage to her. Their conversation
turned upon England, as they sat
watching their lines, and Bearsley
showed an acquaintance with her
home scenes that surprised and pleased
her. Carelessly Bearsley remarked:
"Did you know Thomas Welton, of
that section, great friend of your
cousins family7"
With sigh Mrs. Nation said:
Eyes" and blush with her inquiry as
to what had become of him betrayed
her interest, if not her deeper feelings.
Bearsley told her then that Thomas
was now Sir Tom; that after life
spent in travel he had returned to his
home, where he lived alone. "They
say, too, he loved once, years ago, a
girl who was Mary Creston; that for
her sake he will never mar. u" Bears.
ley added.
Mrs. Nation blushed still deeper,
and said she had some knowledge of
the girl; and Bearsley, fearing he
might appear too bold for one in his
position, desisted.
On returning from their exclusion
Mrs. Nation sought out Carten alone
and inquired as to Bearsley. Said
she: "He seems not only intelligent in
his service as your companion, but
gentleman,+in. your own walk of life.
Tell nae what is he-who is he2"
II can only say, Mrs. Nation, that
he is above bis present position, that
he is gentlemen. Whatever he tells
you may be relied on, and you can take
his word as you would your fathers.
The time went by, and the visitors
were within day Of their leave tax
ings-the girls were sorry. Bearsley, as,
much as his position allowed, was a
watcher Of Mrs. Nation, and she, whilst
amazed athis presumption, could not