Connecticut western news., 1888-10-24
BARREN HONORS.


 with fiva children, all girls. We iuher- ited nothing from our we'll born aa ces- tors save well-formed noses, white hands and low, cultivated voices. My mother was proud and courageous woman. So scarce was money with us that we early learned to rise from a daintily served dinner cruelty hungry, and darn and redarn our spotlessly clean though simple dresses. Poor mother, hers was stern rule, but think of the long hours during which she played the part of housekeeper, gov,rness and seamstress, and marvel at her strength of mind and body.
 When I was 17 I was invited to spend a few months with our fathers cousin, Mrs. B:aumont who lived in great style in London. She was that most selfish of beings. ahypochondriac. That might do her some credit, Mrs. B.su- mont ordered suitable outfit for me, and fine 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 ob- 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 fact that l was renni- 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 hcl doctor to prescribe sea air. Jack Beau mont was requested to accompany her to the le of Wight, and I was packed off hom,. l shall never forget my mothers start of surprise when she saw the change in my appearance. All that evening she renamed very thoughtful, and began to fear that my unexpected return was hardly welcome, until two days later, wh,n with her sweetest smile she informed me that was to pu on one of my most becoming dresse: and behave my prettiest, as she expect cd an old friend to lunch ,on. My younger sisters were ordered eff to par take of cold dinner in the school room, and my mother and awaited Lord Silurian in tho drawing room.
 knew him to be ono of the oldest, as t, title, of Eagland's peers, and I hat heard whisper that mamma mig h hsve been his countess had h,r youthsu su beauty been made more attractive b, the hundred thousands of pounds stcr
 ing which the lady that he eventuall,
 married had brought him.
 He came, Q grim-facel, stiff old gen
 tleman, who put double cyeglass ant
 scanned me closely. A glance of mu
 tual intelligence passed between mann
 ma and his lordship, which did no
 tend to put me at my else. However
 smiled and talked as we'll as I could
 with beating heart. After lunche o was ordered eff for walk with tn
 others, and that evening my mothe
 kissed mo, saying: 'Lord Silurian vii bring his son, Lord Trenton, to call O Wednesday," There was something i her look and tone that sent mo to m bed with 'sudden sinking" of heart What need to dwell on the wretche details of the next few weeks. LOT Trenton came, saw, and as it eventuall proved, conquered. I thought him
 most vacant youth, but my mother OK plained that he was very much struc with me, and "such dear, simple shy boy, notwithstanding his gres wealth aud high position"
 The wedding day came and ha
 seen my bridegroom but twice. O these occasions his father had been l the room. Lady Silurian I had nc seen at all; her husband brought me magnificent tiara, necklace, earring and bracelets of diamonds---the Silurla diamonds were famed---and regrette that his wife was too great an invalid present them in person.
 have smoll recollection of tho ccre mony; but I remember that my fathel in-law bent over and guided his son hand when ho signed the registry laughing, and calling him nervo, : fellow. I wrote my maiden nam, Olive Chase. for the last tim,, and in mediately after l, accompanied by n father-in-law and husband, drove Limestone Towers, the homo of Il Silurian family