The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-04-03
WESTERN ROMANCE.
The Strange Way in Which my
Lord" Won His Lady.

---~ -NO
''Black velvet and scarlet japonicas
would be becoming
VERY; you would be--irresstible, l
should say"
"You are too provoking, Catherine. l
don't believe you are listening to a word l
say, though it may be of so much impor-
lance to u.s."
Don't say us Imogene. have no part
in the affair, and do not believe that papa
will be so foolish as to ask him"
"Yes, papa will And why foolish, if
you pleaseF
I'VE have nothing suitable for a fine
English Lord. Have we not read in
'Lothair' bout their splendid houses and
royal dinners and perfect servants! Think
of the dreadful newness of our great wood
house, its red and blue velvet furniture
our shutiiing, untidy negroes, and our half
and-half fine dinners Ny Lord would
tolerate us few days, and then go back to
England and put us in book to be food
for mirth.' We are not fit company for
him, lmogene; that's the end of it."
Fit company What are you talking
about? Papa is an American Senator and
II that does not make him peer of any
English Lord, what is the use of our having
any Senators! You may as well submit,
Catherine. Lord Hythe is coming here; |
feel 1t; my presentiments are never wrong"
THAT settles the question. Who can con-
tend against fateN'
There is the dinner bell; you will be
late, as usual"
you need not wait for me-"
Il don't intend to. Papa likes to be
punctual, and have reasons for pleasing
him to-day. You will miss your dinner"
Il want to miss some of it. | know what
Dinorah's soup is-red pepper and onions.
shall he down for the turkey and pud-
ding"
Fortunately the Senator had just re-
celved very good news from his mine in
fact, he was standing on the hearth-rug
figuring up the probable net results of
lucky stroke when Imogene entered the
room. Her great beauty struck him with
new sense of pleasure and power. He be-
thought him of taking her to Washington,
and of the sensation she would make there.
He could well afford himself and her that
luxury now
Imogene readily OWNED that the inhences
were favorable to her scheme, and she did
all she could to strengthen them The
Senator found all his opinions acceded to-
he was praised and flattered and waited on,
until he was in that mood of self-com-
placency which renders any man woman's
'most obedient servant"
Catherine was now disposed to take the
winning side. She had thought over
Imogene's idea while dressing, and it
promised more pleasure than annoyance.
II the Lord laughed, she could laugh too;
she felt quite able to pay him back in his
own coin, whatever that coin might be.
So when Imogene preached the subject,
1T was predestined to succeed. "You see,
papa, the party are at st, Louis now, and
Lord blythe wants to cross the plains and
hunt few weeks in the Rocky mountains,
and our house is just the place for him to
stay. You know all the game trails and
he might like to see the mines, and then
how nice it would be to have a Lord in the
housed He has been staying at Belle
Savers. l had letter from her to-day,
and she is just wild about him. Colonel
Sayer is only common farmer, while you,
papa. are the finest gentleman in the
world, think"
DThe Senator was touched at this compli-
ment; besides, he was really proud of his
house. 1t was the largest i'll the State, and
had been furnished, regardless of expense,
by the best upholsterer in st. Louis. He
rather thought 1t would astonish any Lord
to find on the outskirts of a thousand miles
of desert such a dwelling and such beauty
and intellect in it. To do the Senator jus
tice, this pride Immediately took a national
character; his country's glory as much as
his personal pride mingled in the feeling
of exultation which he foresaw he should
have in the foreigners admiration and as
constituent
So Imogene won her desire easily. The
Senator wrote to st. Louis, and in a style
of almost Oriental courtesy placed his house.
with all its sporting privileges, at the serv
ice of Lord Hythe and his party and hav-
ing done so, waited with almost more inn
patience than his daughter his lordshid's
reply.
It was highly satisfactory. 'My Lord
was charmed with such gracious kindness,
and would accept it for himself and for his
friend Mr.. Shipleigh, an enthusiastic artist,
who was as DESTROYS of sketching in the
Rocky mountains as he was of hunting in
them. The rest of his party had determined
on a return to England before the approach
of bad weather, and but for the Senator's
offer, my Lord nd Mr.. Shipleigh would
hardly have dard trip over the wilder
ness and sojouIn within the shadow of the
Rocky mOuntainr.n
This letter was felt to be the precursor of
great events. The Senator, who imagined
himself n superative letter-writer, was
highly flattered at the success of his epistle,
and Immediately began to get his guns in
order, and make arrangements for com
Portable sojourns in those excursions which
would take them beyond the Injuries of
his own home. Imogene took steps at
once to realize the special toilet she had de-
cided on for the momentOus first impression
black velvet and scarlet japonicas and
though Catherine pretended indifference to
his Lordships advent, she was so far in
fuenced by the general excitement as to
superintend thorough house-cleaning,
and a new arrangement of the objection
ably brilliant furniture
1t was pleasant two weeks interval to
all parties for anticipated joys have very
few drawbacks; we arrange everything
then on the principle of reckoning without
our host. What bucks and bears were
killed beforehand, what quantities Of ducks