Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-07-15

question. But yet Hilda Dulcimel
was not disheartened, and for -four
seasons she patiently ang]ed and
| waited.
At length there appeared upon the
scene a young nob.eman, Lord Lexi.
con, who had recently inherited hi.
title quite unexpectedly. He had
served as lad in the navy, and Of late
wears had gained rather reputation
as an intrepid traveller and sportsman
in far countries. He had been absent
from England nearly five years. when
the news of his good fortune brought
him home to assume the position and
responsibilities of a member of the
Upper House and one of the largest
landed prOprietors in the Midlands.
He was frank. open, unsophisticated
Young man-somewhat simple minded,
perhaps, but by no means fool. His
return caused rather futter of ex.
element among ariStocratic mothers
of manageable daughters. for. with
few almost hopeless exceptions. he
was the most desirable husband of the
season. Their anXieties were, how.
ever, of short durat on, as, from the
moment of his introduction to her,
Lord Lexicon appeared to fix his af-
fections upon the beautiful Miss Dull
elmer, and commenced to pay her the
most marked and assiduOus attentions.
This proceeding was by no means
approved of by the young lady's enc
mics and rivals. She had many of the
former, unfortunately, and not a few
of the latter. Lord Lexicon received
several friendly warnings regarding
the object of his affections; he was
told that she was heartless, that she
painted. that her hair was false, that
her gowns were not paid for; in fact,
his love was put to the severest tests;
yet such was this young nobleman's
infatuation that he utterly disregarded
the advice that was rendered to him,
and took the earliest opportunity of
asking Hilda Dulcimer to be his wife.
Mother, ! anu 10 be Countess of
Lexicon" exclaimed Hilda, q few
moments after the momenteus inter-
view, with the nearest approach to eX-
element and enthusiasm that she had
ever manifested.
The old lady murmured her congrat-
ulations. and wiped away tear with
a tremulous hand. 1t was evident.
however, that she was preoccupied and
uneasy, and her daughter said sharply:
what is the matter, mother?"
Il have surprise for you, my love
some good news" said her mother,
doubtfu,iy.
"What is it?''
'.Dear Tom has cone home"
"What, my brother!''
To account for the somewhat I'M
pleasantly harsh tone in which the
young lady uttered this exclamation it
must be explained that Tom Dulcimer,
her younger brother, had shown
distinct symptoms of being ne'er-do-
well. 1t is true that he had done
nothing to disgrace himself or his
family. for at seventeen he had been
packed off to the Colonies through the
influence of his sister, who foresaw the
Inconvenience of having near relative
in England with Master Toms reck-
less proclivities. She had never
ceased to congratulate herself upon
the wisdom of this precaution.
Good gracious! How exceedingly
inconvenient" Miss Dulcimer ejacu-
lated. after short pause of dismay.
''My dear, I'm sure you ought to be
very pleased demonstrated her
mother, mildly. "The dear boy has
supported himself all these years, and
has grown a fine, handsome fellow"
what did he want to come back
for-especially just now?" exclaimed
Hilda, frowning.
My dear, the poor fellow has been
i'll, aud he wished to see his old
mother again." said her mother, be-
ginning to tremble. after all, why
should he pass his life in exile? He has
never done any thing wrong"
What good can he do over here.
mother?' said Hilda, severely. You
can not afford to keep him.
''He has an appointment. my dear
a very good appointment" cried the
mother, eagerly; "a clerk in the office
of some company connected with
Bucnos Ayres, where he has been. He
is to get G100 year and he says that
he can live well upon it.
"a clerk in an Office in the citv!r'
exclaimed Hilda, as her beautiful lip
curled. Mother" she added, sharp
ly, nobody must know this. OF
course. must tell Lord Lexicon, but
not till l know him better. Has Tom
been here? Did he send his name
up?"
HE has been here" answered her
mother, cowed by her vehemence.
He did not send in his name, poor
boy. He said that we were such
dreadful swells, and that his coat was
shabby. He arranged with you when
he went away, yon NAV remember, to
call himself Trower-my maiden
name. That was the name he gave"
THANK goodness for that! Then
the servants suspect nothing" said
Hilda, more amiably. Mother, you
must promise never to breathe a word
to any one about having a son in En-
gland"
my dear child
Mother. you must consider me-"
interrupted Hilda. eff this we're
known, Lord Lexlcon's family, and
others who are jealous of me, might
make mischief, and ruin every thing.
What is Toms addreSs?''