The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-01-31
MISS HERMONCIEUX.
SsSv Became FTngaged to an
Heiress in Spite Of Myself.

].
Miss Hermoncieux is a great puzzle to
me. What is she going to do? 1 think
sometimes of asking her, but she would not
be apt to take me into her confidence.
Things have certainly reached point be-
tween Warrington and herself when she will
be called upon to make up her mind what
course she will pursue.
/ have certainly never seen anybody who
interested me as much. | should not call
her exactly prettS-at least a Granger
might not think so. She is a creole of
about twenty, tall, rather too slender, per-
haps, with brown hair worn low on the
forehead, blue eyes. and very fair COM
plexion. Her mouth, however, is certainly
exquisite, and she has way of smiling
family with shy side look, which is really
fascinating.
1t is pity she is so great an heiress-
that chills one. A good girl ought to be
poor, in order to find out who really loves
her. How can she know, when she is
worth q million?
She and her cousin, Miss Arthur, are
from Northern Alabama, and have spent
the summer with Mr.. Fenton. He is a
princely old merchant who has retired from
business, built a very beautiful villa adioin-
ing my tumble-down place, and the Young
ladies' are his relatives. They came in
June, and it is now October. | believe they
are about to return home. Well, they will
have great deal to laugh about, as their
visit has proved something of a comedy.
Miss Arthur told me everything. She is
small brunette, with plump figure, black
eyes, and fund of laughter which seems to
be inexhaustible. The spirit of frolic and
practical joking is her great characteristic,
and on leaving Alabama she indnced her
cousin to make an absurd agreement. Miss
HermoncleuX, the real heireSs, was to pass
for the poor cousin, and Miss Arthur, the
poor cousin, was to pass for the heress
Thence arose complications. Miss Ar
thur, to her secret delight, received marked
attention from gentlemen, and Miss Her.
moncleux was comparatively neglected
Mr.. Fenton and his wife must have been
taken into the confidence of the Young la
dies: but then the smiling old couple rarely
mlngle with their gay young visitors, and
the farce thus went on until about the mid
die of August. Then the ruse was discov-
cred by some accident, and everybody
laughed, especially Miss Arthur, who is
accustomed to say that all men are merce-
nary. Miss Hermoncieux grew much more
popular, and Miss Arthur's friends cooled
among the rest, Mr.. Warrington. He had
apparently been very much devoted to Miss
Arthur, and now became as devoted to her
cousin.
I. Herbert Warrington, as he signs him
self, is an elegant fellow, about thirtv-five
years of age, with light hair, curling mus
tache, and manner full of grace and ease.
He always dresses in the height of the fash
ion, and wears kid gloves even when he is
driving his handsome drag. AS he passes
behind his glossy bays, with his liveried
groom in rear, he has a gay word for every-
body, cries: GLOW goes it. NV dear fell
low?" and takes off his hat to the ladies he
meets with the perfection of grace. Unfor-
tTrFa g,fs,1yr l, -, ,{-, .,Tt ~
1ect of common talk. He has nearly run
through fine property, is in the condition
known as hard up" and makes no secret
of the fact that he is looking out for rich
wife.
1t is not known whether he proposed to
Miss Arthur or not; it is certain that they
were extremely intimate. When the fact
was ascertained that Miss Hermoncieux
was the true heiress, he laughed louder
than the rest, declared the Joke excellent
remained on the best terms with Miss
Arthur, but gradually drifted in the direc-
tion of Miss HermoncieuX. AS the days
went ON his attentions grew more marked
and now there is no longer any doubt. NV
friend Warrington is going to ask the
young heiresS to marry him, and what
puzzles me is to know what she has de-
cided TO do.
This evening had quite an adventure. l
was ItIuIlllS HOIle u lluUIe before sunset
and on the country road winding through
the red foliage of body Of woods met Miss
Hermoncieux.
She was riding without escort, and
seemed to have lost her road, which proved
to be the fact.
81 am very glad met you" she said,
smiling, and holding out a small gauntleted
hand. 81 have missed my way"
And she explained that she had ridden
out for exercise, confiding in her knowledge
of the neighborhood, but had mistaken the
road.
at is fortunate met you, as a storm is
coming," | said. 81 will escort you home
by the nearest route"
And | rode on beside her. She was quite
charming in her dark habit, and her ride
had given her what her complexion wanted
Her cheeks were rosy and her blue eyes
bright with the healthful exercise.
You are going away soon;" [ said.
Yes; am very sorry" she replied.
sly our visit has been pleasant, hope?D
every pleasant indeed"
We hGd left the woods and entered the
open country. On hill to the left rose
my dilapidated establishment. A gate led
into the field in front. OF the two globes
with spiral carvings once surmounting the
posts, one had fallen. | thought she noticed
it, and said, rather ruefully:
"See the consequences of bad manage
ment, That is my house yonder, and it is
no better than my gate"
sit is a very fine old place"
at is very poor one and very lonely,
too am entirely by myself there, and
can't say | enjoy it,"
at is pity"
Her head dropped and she looked alb
sently toward the house as we passed.
Nothing was simpler than her speech and
yet geat throb came to my heart. Why do
women make these speeches unless they
are blindY-which do not think they are
"A mans lot is not of his own making"
said, zone is blessed with a home circle