The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-05-08

brought ner nOme-aS, or course, We ex. pected that he would-instead of ss inconsiderately keeping her in the ssd dle until she is in a state of-weI IF may say that she has been in sever. physical suffering ever since she cana in. But now, Lord Shepton, you mus allow me to take her place-you mus really Let me take your notes, and will endeavor to transcribe them faith. fully before go to bed"
 Lord Shepton protested little but ultimately allowed his scruples to be overcome, and withdrew. Hubert al.o said good night; but hardly had Mn Ogle settled down to her selfimposed labors when the door opened, and the young diplomatist reappeared.
 He quietly drew chair to the table rested his elbows upon it. and, facing Mrs. Ogle with a smile, said: Now my dear madam, suppose We try to come to an understanding"
 Mrs. Ogle was sharp-witted woman She saw that there was nothing to he gained by fencing, so she replied sue cinctly, No; l decline to come to terms"
 Yet l venture to think that | can suggest acceptable terms to you: and really am an adversary whom it would not be altogether safe to dispise How. ever, won't threaten; I much prefer to be frank and friendly, if little blunt Frankly and bluntly, then-why do YOU want to marry your daughter to my uncle? Not, presume, for the sake of his youth or his beauty; nor even, per. haps, for the sake of his learning
 My daughter" said Mrs. Ogle. lay ing back her ears, " is sincerely attached to Lord Shepton'
 "Oh, Mrs. Ogle, you will tell me next that she enjoys copying out treatises upon obscure points of history. Why not confess that you would like her to be viscountess, and to have the pros pect of a comfortable .jointure? That is only what any good mother would de sire for her daughter Indeed, 1 am amazed at your wonderful unselfshness in the matter
 do not set up to be particularly un- selfish" returned Mrs. Ogle drylv; !" and I don't understand what you mean"
 " l suppose not-I suppose you really don't, said Hubert, in pensive tone " For my own part l saw it from the first"
 You saw what, Mir Mallet?'
 hope you won't be offended if tell you. 1 saw that my uncle had fallen into an error, not very unnatural in so absent-minded man, and had proposed to the daughter instead of to the mother. Just consider for a mo ment and you will perceive how much better suited you are to him than she could ever be. You are clever, you are well informed, you are devoted to the pursuit of knowledge
 Here Mrs Ogle made slight dissen- tient gesture.
 "Oh, but you are, indeed; there cant be any question about that And then, If you will allow me to say so, you have great strength of character You will influence the poor old man for his good You will make him take house in Lon don, as he ought to have done long ago and see more of society. You will never allow yourself to be made into private secretary-a mere drudge. Be lieve me, Mrs. Ogle, it is not too late to repair the blunder that has been made; and if you will endeavor to do so shall have much pleasure in helping you to the best of my ability. If you refuse, 1 am afraid shall have to oppose you, and, without vanity, may say that that will render your chances of victory ex- tremely doubtful.
 " have perfect confidence in Lord Shepton's honor" Mrs Ogle declared
 Nevertheless she was a good deal moved by Hubert's harangue. The prospect held out to her was alluring, only she could not help suspecting treachery. What is your object in making these overtures to me, MT. Nal let?" she asked
 We'll, have two. Firstly-for req sons which are too obvious to require mention-I do not wish my uncle to marry a young wife Secondly, l wish to marry your daughter myself Yes; 1 am perfectly serious, though won't, in business conversation like this, allow myself to be sentimental I love your daughter-I couldn't say more if were to talk for an hour. My means, it is true, are not very large; but believe can see my way to a substantial addi- tion to them; and then, don't you per ceive? your daughter will, in due course of time, become viscountess after all Two coronets and two jointures, instead of rather poor chance of getting one! What do you think of that, Mrs Ogle?"
 Mrs. Ogle was dazzled and vanquished She jumped up, ran around the table, and placed both her hands upon the young mans shoulder This is very sudden; but believe in you and I will be your friend" said she, with touching simplicity Dear Ella shall be told of her good fortune this very night"
 "Ah, mol excuse me, but you are go- ing too fast. Miss Ogle is not quite so shall we say amenable?-a you and I. If have fallen in love with her at first sight, it does not by any means follow that she has fallen in love with me-"
 Ella knows that I only desire what is for her hanninasS Sha w;ll do as I