Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-07-23
MY BRIDEGROOM.


My sutton 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 |
said "Yes!'' with my lips, while my
whole nature rebelled and cried out
mo, a thousand times MOI"
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 jirted 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's gold.
was to pay visit to the Hall. and
make the further acquaintance of Lady
Grace-my future step-daughter; but
Lord Standiland had given me a week
for my preparations.
Poor mother looked little blue
when | told her this item of news, al
though she was pleased enough to hear
of my engagement, which | announced
with betting solemnity as we sat over
tea that evening.
Grace has so many fine Clothes"
she said ruefully. How can YOU ever
compete with her?"
ii 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 vague
idea OF having read the verse of poetry
at some period of existence.
"Well," | said with a laugh, "and
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
thatP" demonstrated my mother.
Eyes, | ami! | returned. What is
the use of its lying upstairs between
the leaves of my 'LongfeIlow. | am
gong to buy some pretty things with
it, for there is no occasion for me to
save money now, since | shall soon
have rs much rs | want Oh, mother,
how jolly that will be!'
"Ah! Reika," sighed my mother, II
hope you will be happy with that old
man."
Her tone seemed to imply that she
doubted it; but 7 only smiled. OF
course was going to be happy. Why
not?
My visit to the Hall was 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 |
fancied she was not However, she
was always kind to me, always con-
siderate, and really loved her.
One day 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.
lis 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.
81 am Reika Marchant," | said,
frigidly.
Eyes, my new mamma" he said.
composedly; III knew | could not be
mistaken
There was a portrait of his father
over the mante, and he glanced from
it to me in a provoking smile.
1t was striking contrast no doubt to
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-
sonagc.
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 conserva-
tory.
''What else can l call youPn he re-
turned, quite gravely. "You are to be
my mother, are you not, Reika?"
My 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 much?' 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.
l did not question him as to the
meaning OF the change l knew it toe
well. His eyes had betrayed his secret
He loved me!
And | was to be his step-mother.
1t did seem ridiculous. | could not
hely thinking so as | glanced at my
own young figure, reflected in a mirror,
by the side of Lord Standiland' s-old,
bent, and grey.
But had said would be his wife
and my promise must be kept at any
cost.
"Cuthbert is going to leave us, an
nounced Lady Grace one afternoon
and glanced quickly at Lord Airline
my heart beating painfully.
Il am tired OF the country" he said
carelessly, as he handed me a cup o
tea, which could scarcely hold, for
was trembling from head to foot. H,
was going away! Well, what did i
matter to me?
Alas, l felt that it did matter :
great deal; for Lady Grace's announce
ment had opened my eyes to the truth
and / knew that | loved my futur,
step-son.
As soon as | could stole out of In,
room TO hide in the conservatory.
"Reika?n
/ looked up quickly, and saw Lor,
Airline standing before me. He hat
followed me out of the drawing-room
'.What is it?" l said, and my voic,
ouivered in spite of myself
"Reika, he repeated, putting hi
arm round my waist, ''you shall no