The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-12-13
BARREN HONORS.

,
with five children, all girls. We inher-
tied nothing from our we'll born al ces-
tors save welI-formcd noses, white
hands and low, cultivated voices. My
mother was proud and courageous
woman. So scarce was money with US
that we cary learned to rise from a
daintily served dinner cruelty hungry,
and darn and redarn our spotlessly c,ean
thou 5h impIo dresses. Poor mother,
hers was a stern rule. but think of the
long hours during which she played the
part of housckeeper, governess and
seamstress, and marvel at her strength
of mind and body.
When l was II was invited to spend
few months with our fathers cousin,
a Mrs. B aumont who lived in great
style in London. She was that most
selfish of beings, a hypCChondriac. That
| might do her somo credit, Mrs. B ,au-
mont ordered a suitable outfit for me,
and fine clothes and good food soon
transformed me from pale, stopping,
dark eyed strip Of a girl, into a tall, up
right, handsome young woman. She
was too hope.cssly sunk in self to OBJ
serve the change, and it was not until
her iav5ritc nephew came on his annull
visit that the admiration which his
young face too plainly showed, opened
her eyes to the fac: that l was a re3ui-
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, tn nreforc
my hostess contented herself with de-
claring herself worse, and ordering her
doctor to prescribe sea air. Jack Beau
mont was requested to accompany h.r
to the lo OF Wight, and l was packed
off home. shall never forget my
! mother start of surprise when she saw
the change in my appearance. All that
evening she remuned very thoughtlu
and began to fear that my unexpected
return was hardly welcome, until two
! days later, when with her sweetest
. smile she Informed me that I was to put
on one of my most becoming dresses
and behave my prcttiest, as she expect
ed an old friend to Iuncheoa. My
younger sisters wero ordered off to par
take of a cold dinner in the school
room, and my mother and l awaited
Lord SiiuriGn in the drawing room. l
knew him to be one Of the oldest, as to
title, Of E1glaad's peers, and I had
heard a whisper that mamma might
have been his countess had her youthful
beauty been made moro attractive by
the hundred thousands Of pounds ster-
ling which the lady that he eventually
married had brought him.
He came, a grim-facei, stiff old gem
tleman, who put a double eyegIass and
scanned me closely. A glance of mu-
tual intelligence passed between NAM
ma and his Iordship, which did not
tend to put me at my ease. However,
smiled and talked as we'll as l could,
with a beating heart. After luncheon
l was ordered of FOR walk with the
others, and that evening my mother
kissed me, saying: lord Siiurian Will
bring his son, Lord Trenton, to call on
/ Wednesday," There was something in
, her look and tone that sent me to my
bed with Sudden sinking" Of heart.
What need to dwell on the wretched
details of the next few weeks. Lord
Trenton came, saw, and as it eventually
proved, conquered. I thought him a
most vacant youth, but my mother ex-
Ilained that he was very much struck
with me, and "such a dear, simple,
shy boy, Notwithstanding his great
wealth and high position"
The wedding day came and l had
seen my Bridegroom but twice. On
these occasions his father hal been In
the room. Lady Siluian 1 had rot
seen at all; her hu,b baad brought me a
/ magnificent tiara, necklace, earrings
| and bracelets of dlamoG ds---the SlluIan
| diamonds were famed---and regretted
that his wife was too great an iava' id to
present them in person.