The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1888-10-18
BARREN HONORS.

with uVe nllCrcn, III Bis. W. A"h9
tied nothing from our well-born aaces-
tors save well formed noses, white
hands and low, cultivated voices. My
mother was a proud and courageous
woman. So scarce was money with us
that we early learned to rise from
daintily served dinner cruelty hungry,
and darn and redarn our spotlessly clean
though simplo dresses. Poor mother,
hers was stern rule. but think of the
long hours during which shc played the
part of housekeeper, govcrness and
seamstrcss, and marvel at her strength
of mind and body.
When l was II was invited to spend
few m onths with our fathers cousin,
Mrs. Beaumont, who lived in great
style iu London. She was that most
selfish of beings, hypochondriac That
l might do her somo credit, Mrs. Beau
mont ordered suitable outfit for me,
and fino clothes and good food soon
transformed me from pale, STOPPING,
dark eyed strip of girl, into tall, up
right, handsome young woman. She
was too hopelessly sunk in self to OBJ
serve the change, and it was not until
her favorite nephew came on his annual
visit that the admiration which his
young face too plainly showed, opened
her eyes to the fac. that I was rcnni-
less beauty, the most dangerous being
in England, where men and women are
seldom given in marriage but often
bought and sold.
A scene was troublesome, therefore
my hostess contented herself with de-
claring herself worse, and ordering hel
doctor to prescribe sea air. Jack Beau
mont was requested to accompany hel
to the 1 lie OF Wight, and was packee
off home. l shall never forget my
mothers start of surprise when she saw
the change in my appearance. All tina
evening she renamed very thoughtful
and began to fear that my unexpected
return was hardly welcome, until tw
days later when with her sweetes
smile she informed me- that / was to pu
on one of my most becoming drcssc
and behave my prettiest, as shc expect
ed an old friend to lunch ,on. M
younger sisters were ordered off to pal
take of cold dinner in the school
room, and my mother and / awaitc
Lord Siurian in tho drawing room.
knew him to be one OF the oldest, as
title, of E1glands peers, and ha
heard whisper that mamma migl
have been his countess had her youthil
beauty been madc more attractive
= the hundred thousands of pounds ste
ling which the lady that he eventual
married had brought him.
He came, grim-facel, stiff old gel
tleman, who put double eycglass an
scanned me closely. A glance OF nj
tual intelligence passed between mar
ma and his lordship, which did n
tend to put mo at my ease. Howevc
Ismiled aud talked as we'll as / coul
with beating heart. After luuche'
was ordered eff for walk with t
: Others, and that evening my moth
kissed mo, saying: "Lord Silurian W
bring his son, Lori Trenton, to call
Wednesday," There was something
her look and tone that sent me to +
- bed with Sudden sinking" of heal
What need to dwell on tho wretch
. details Of the next few weeks. Lo
Trenton came, saw, and as it eventua
T. proved, conquered. / thought him
most vacant youth, but my mother G
planned that he was very much stru
with me, and "such dear, simp
shy boy, notwithstanding his gr
wealth and high position"
The wedding day came and l b
~, seen my bridegroom but twice.
these occasions his father had been
10, the room. Lady Silurian had
or, seen at all; her u,bald brought m
magnificent tiara, necklace, earril
= and bracelets of diamonds---the Siiur
" diamonds were famed---and regret
~ that his wifo was too great an Invalid
co present them in person.
we have small recollection OF the G.
ssy .s: mony; but remember that my fail
d 70 in-law bent over and guided his s.
,sra hand when he signed the regis
,om laughing, and calling him a nery
80 fellow. l wrote my maiden ma
sie- Olive Chase. for the last tim, and
medatcly after ]. accompanied by
fa,her-iu-law and husband, drov'
" Limestone Towers, tho home oil
- silurian family.