The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-08-27
do? Jack is SO obstinate. and 1 posi-.
lively believe lie is serious at last"

ner was of course perfection, and the
guests we'll chosen-two lords and duke
and their respective wives-and rs there
were no young men. Jack had Katie all
to himself. Samuel w. Brown did no,
appear ut all abaslled i'll the presence OF
nobility. He was shrewd man who
had studied human nature, and had seen
many phases of life, and his anecdotes OF
Americas We're most interesting.
Next day, when Lidy Frances was
talking over the dinner with her old
friend, she said:
"Oh, 1 am so nervous and excited
about it all! Fancy, the duchess praised
her warmly"
Her position will be assured then,"
added Clare, decisivelv
"And Lord Oldin wants to get the
elder sister for his son, continued Lady
Frances cit will be such nice con-
nection."
"But when is Jack going to propose ?"
"I'm sure don't know. Perhaps at
the ball. l wish it were all arranged,
for it will be most expensive for me if it
lasts long, and really cannot afford it."
1t was most expensive, for Jack got
his mother to pay for everything, and
he and Henry Smiley, Lord Oldin's son,
had a pleasant time of it, drumming the
heiresses," as Jack expressed it, at her
expense.
The ball wasa great success. and Katie
Brown created quite sensation. Jack
was most attentive to her; he allowed,
however, the opportunity to pass with
out proposing to her, much to Lady
Frances indignation.
Jack and the Browns relapsed into
Bohemian life. One day they went to
Windsor, the next to Hampton Court or
Sandown races. and so on. Indy Frances
was nervous and shocked, for Samuel ".
Brown allowed the girls to do exactly as
they liked, and seldom accompanied
them.
II calculate young people like being
left to themselves. You and I did long
ago, Lady Frances" he used to say.
"But it is not our CUSTOM" she pro-
tested.
81 don't believe English girls are
half as wicked as You think. Why don't
you trust them Il little more ?" he asked.
She did not know exactly what answer
to make, so muttered something about
society.
Cali artificial, Lady Frances; all
humbug 1t is q great pity it is so.
Society spoils you all. Do you know
that duke of yours would make good
fellow if he wasn't duke, and Lord
Oldin has his head as we'll screwed on as
any man in the States You, too, are u
clever woman yourself Lady Frances"
he continued. 81 like you, and I guess
1 like your nobility-when they thaw."
Lady Frances could not altogether
understand or appreciate Samuel w.
Brown. Indeed she was growing quite
concerned about him. He had habit |
of calling on her at all times, giving as
all excuse that the "girls were away
with the boys" and he was lonely.
81 really believe" said Lady Frances
to her friend Clare, "that wretched man
is making love to me-"
GOOD gracious, my dear, how terri
BILE! 1t will spoil all if you have to
refuse him" cried Clare Melton.
BY this time the Browns were cale.
brities. Every one had heard of the
American heiresscs; but Jack Trimson
did not seem bit nearer to marriage.
Lady Frances was in despair.
"They will ruin me, between them"
she moaned. 'Why have actually
overdrawn my account ut the bank"
ut will be all right, mother, when I
marry Katie. Old Sam will stump ND
the dollars, as he expressed it," laughed
Jack
" 1 wish you would propose at once
We really cannot go ON living in this
extravaganza manner. I am positively
ruined" moaned Lady Frances.
Fancy half q million of money,
mother Why you can have as much
as you like when it is mine"
Matters. however, gradually became
desperate. Everybody was talking of
Jack and the heress, and wondering
why the engagement was kept secret.
And by degrees thev began to associate
the name of Samuel W. Brown with that
Of Lady Frances Trimson.
HFancv tha old Tabl,v oo;no -, fo~