The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-09-22
FITZHERBERT.


Miranda had more than once limited that 1t
was neither romantic nor uncommon, and her
father, in his somewhat lengthy discourse
about the British aristocncy, had an agra
waiting way OF looking apologetically at mo
every time he spoke Of - good name"
In our commercial community Smith YVES
counted better name than Rogers, and
young Smith, the rising cotton broker
more distinguished member OF society than
old Rogers, ex-captain OF Dragons, who
could scarcely pay his ESQ rent and never
wore decent hat.
Iquite agreed with my ncighbors on these
points till fell In love with Katie and grew
familiar with Miranda's sentiments about
1.-THE ignorance Of Philistine Riverbank."
Capt. Rogers was descended from Fitz-
roger, who came over with the Conqueror,
and as listened reverently to tho history OF
the family progress through eight centuries,
there was total collapse OF my once foolish
pride In belonging to what local paper
called lone of the oldest families in River
bank" For Riverbank was scarcely as old
as my father having grown into town
with speed rarely equaled on this side or
the Atlantic.
IN general way do not undervalue my
self, but it was with deep sense OF humility
that implored the descendant Of Fitzroger
to become my father-in-law. We were alone
together in the dining room OF the thirty
pound house, he sitting in shabby armchair,
I standing on q still shabbier hearthrug. He
looked up ut the Battle Roll Of Hastings"
which hung over the mantel piece, and down
at the fire, kept low by economical Miranda.
,hal ha rYlT v.ia ~
Fitzroger against tho present price OF coal,
he accepted my proposal with the magnifi-
cent condescension Of a king consentlng, for
certain state reasons, to bestow the hand OF
royal princess on an aspiring subject.
So Katie and Iwere engaged, and for a
time l was supremacy happy. | was not
quite vain enough to share my darling's
opinion that /, John Smith, was better worth
%orshiping than all Carlyles Heroes" put
together; but was rather easily convinced
that was far too fine fellow to fear any
rival SO when Katie went on visit to Lon
don there was no bitterness in my regret, for
believed in her-and myself.
At first | was not disturbed by Miranda's
boasts about tho advantages her sister was
enjoying in "the best society,"" but when the
London visit extended for weeks and months
beyond It's original limit l began to feel
vaguely Uneasy. In those days Katie's let
ters, though loving were not long, and sho
more than once apologized for their brevity
by pleading "a particular engagement" tho
nature Of which she never explained My
confidence sank, my jealousy arose.
At last she came home and then / noticed
a change in her that seriously alarmed me.
She was paler and quieter, and at times there
was a wistful look in her eyes, suggestive Of
something on her mind. 1t could not DO
anxiety about her fathers pecuniary affairs,
because about that time he appeared in new
hat and Miranda kept better fires. These
outward and visible signs Of prosperity
would have given me sincere pleasure If it
had not been for the suspicion that old
Rogers was more than ever disposed to take
the Norman conquest tone with me, and for
the certainty that Miranda's sneers at ''peo-
pie who could not count their grandfathers"
were all for my benefit
What did this sort Of thing mean9 Had
Katie been tempted away from me by Il lover
with longer pedigreei Would Rogers tell
me some day. like the father in old fashioned
romance, that he had 'other views" for his
daughteri
One evening I called much later than
usual, having been detained by an important
business matter In the neighboring city of
Shipley. The outer door Of the house was
open, and |, in my usual way, turned tho
handle OF the vcstibule door and walked into
the drawing room, which appeared to be
empty. / was just going to ring the bell for
the servant when | heard pleading little
voice behind me:
ooh, say, Jack, don't do that"
1t was the voice of Bob, tho youngest OF
Katie's many young brothers, and, turning
sharply round, | saw his scared little face
peeping between tho curtains drawn across
ths bow window.
"Come here, dear old Jack, he entreatod,
"snd stay with mo TIL she goes past"
"What she2" asked as stepped behind
the curtains to find Bob's hitherto invisible
form clad in nightgown.
Miranda he added In tragic whisper.
Bob had blue eyes and golden hair, and in
his white array he looked like an angel in n
picture But | rightly guessed that he had
descended from the upper regions that night
on no angelic mission.
u thought she was safe up in the lumber
room for the next half hour" he explained,
sand got out of bed and was slipping down
TO the kitchen for a taste of the now jam |
knew it was my only chance. She's 80 beasty
mean about it when it's in pots. | Just got
TO the hall when heard her sneaking down
stairs, 80 ran in here She's in the dining
room now, and don't know whether she's
going up again or down TO the kitchen"
Don't be IA coward, my boy said, feel
ing 1t my duty to be moral. "Of course
Miranda will scold if she finds you, but you
must bear it like man"
''Scold" repeated Bob, with scorn in his
subdued tones. "Do you think I'd care if it
was only thatp
Understood tho full peril OF the situation
now. Miranda prded herself on doing IA
mother duty 10 the motherlcss boys, and |
knew that whatever her hand found to do
she did it With all her might.
"And It's just because | amt a coward
don't want to meet her went ON Bob evil
IDENTIFY mindful Of the traditions of Ftzroger
yalor, You see, Jack, could hit back if
She was man, but she amt, you know, and,
Of course, no fellow who is a gentleman ever
hits a woman"
Robert murmured, "you are the soul
Of chiyalryn
"oh, shut up, Jack Smith, and my small
brother-in-law elect held me with a desperate
grip. shes coming imp
peered cautiously between the heavy cur |
tains and caught glimpse Of Miranda's lank |
form and lynx eyes The next moment she |