The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1889-09-13
a ELL. it's my la
4 I: / ! !
~ chance Of pullin
through, mothc
80 there's no vi
hesitating aboy
w. II; all your lii
>Uy you have bee
0 urging me

The Dowager Countess of Knotting
hame was tres-grande dame, that all tn
world realized, for was she not born
Pendragon Of Nntagel, family which
claimed to have lived for many genera
lions before ever the Norman laid tn,
Saxon low? And as il It were not hare
enough to know that her eldest son wa.
confirmed old bachelor, with q manis
tor moths, here was her favorite child
her Benjamin, threatening to sully thu
family escutcheon by q contemplated
matrimonial alliance with q simple
manufacturers daughter, to whose chill
dren the time honored title Of Knotting
hame must in all probability descend.
The great cheerful breakfast room al
Erldom house was q perfect blaze Of
warmth and sunshine on this bright Sep.
TENDER morning, but the faces Of both
mother and son were clouded and dark
and the barometer stood obviously al
Stormy"
IF her father had only been in some
decent trade, l should not have minded
half so much," observed the irate dow
ager, after a melancholy pause. "But ]
must say, my dear Francis, do draw
the line at buttons!"
"Well, mother, it's not to be denied
that the great firm Of Harding, Metal &
Co. did make their money by the manu-
facture of those useful little articles, but
don't see what that matters? A button
rampant will make a nice change in
the family arms, with their endless
dragons and wyvernes!' And smile Of
lazy amusement crossed Lord Francis
well bred face as he glanced mischiev-
ously at his agitated parent,
"Now look here, my dear mother" he
continued with sudden gravity. "let US
face the whole position quietly, and then
think you will very likely come round
to my opinion without another word.
It's no novelty to you to hear that am
hard up, for ! never was anything else
30 long as l can remember, but as yet
and chronic. Now, however, a crisis
has arrived, and it simply comes to this
II can't go on any longer! know that
KnottingRame can't afford to do more
for me than he has done, and / won't
take another penny of yours-I've robbed
you both enough as it is. But money
must have, by hook or by crook, and all
ask you is: to help me procure it by
what seems the most feasible waya This
daughter of old Harding the millionaire
Is the daughter Of one of your oldest
school friends, no matter whether the
latter married button manufacturer or
q king; therefore it is easy enough for
you to ask her to come and stay here for
bit, and as she has neither father nor
mother to consult, and has seldom left
her dreary home amongst the smoky
factory chimneys of the Black Country,
It's easy also to predict that she will very
gladly accept your invitation, VOLTA tout.
"No, it's not ALL moaned the dow
ager, refusing to be comforted. Next
week is just the very last in which l
should like to ask any questionable per-
sons to the house, when you know well
how particular our Aunt Doldrum is
with regard to whom she meets!"
A stern look passed over Lord Francis
Erldon's face, making him appear ten
years older than had been the case Eve
minutes before. as he said decisively:
Mother, the woman consider fit to
be my wife is surely fit for even the
dowager duchess of Doldrum's society,"
If all reports concerning her grace in
days gone by are true, the 'unfitness' lies
more on my great aunt's side than on
that OF this young girl"
Lady Knottinghame kept severe
silence Perhaps there was more truth
in her sons words than it was well to
own, for the high born ladies of the
house of Pendragon had been more re-
markable in times past for beauty of
person than rigidity Of virtue.
Zone more reason / wish to urge
against asking Miss Harding here next
week is, that Laura Fairfax will be with
us then, and tinge of aristocratic spite
was apparent in her ladyship's tones as
she spoke.
Lord Francis brows contracted with
mother straight in the face with his
keen dark eyes before which her own
sank, as he said:
"All the moro reason for her to come
then, mother. should say. It's as well
to make sure that one really has lived
down the folkes of ones youth before
asking some one else to share the wis
dom of ones middle age" and Lord
Francis careless laugh told how easily
bis thirty five years sat on him. in spite
of debts, duns and difficulties
"Wel, my dear, if it must be, it
must" Lady Knottinghame was never
very long in coming round to any ideas
entertained by this son of her heart.
"Fu write to Miss Harding at once, if
You wish it; and, oh! my dear boy, how
I trust and pray she may prove even in
the remotest degree worthy Of your
"Worthy Of mer' re-echoed Francis
Erldon in bitser sarcasm. "You had
better pray that she may never discover
how unworthy am of her, mother"
you underrate yourself, my son."
do II Is il thing to be proud of 10
sell oneself for an heiress' money bags?
TO wish to rob girl who at least has
never done one any harm, of every
chance in life of being married for sake
Of what she Is, not for sake of what she
has gotr No, it will be very one sided
bargain, mother; SO keep all your pity
for her, poor girl. If ever she marries
mel"
And Lord Francis walked abruptly
across the room and out at the door, with
IN irritable bang Of the latter, which
caused the dowager countess of Knott
inghame to jump in her chair in man.
uer the reverse of dignifed.
Certainly his affairs must have taken
. most vexatious turn, poor boy" she
quite meekly. "And SO III
sen do my best 10 secure this girls