The national leader., 1889-04-13
A PLAIN GIRLS STORY.

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fortune in trade, had taken up poll
tics. and his judicious handling of the
last had resulted In peerage. He
was fully aware that the agreeable
title of "my lord" which surrounded
his footsteps with gentle murmur,
was slightly incongruous when applied
to himself, and he determined to
marry a woman to whom ''my lady"
was natural adjunct.
No difficulty about this, every one
knows. The Earl of Ballywally had
seven daughters and an encountered
estate. How he greeted the noble nail
manufacturer, and invited him to fish
for salmon In the Ballywally waters;
how the new peer surveyed the seven
daughters, and finally decided on the
youngest, Lady Flora; how Lady
Flora, being IS, and in love with
penniless soldier Of five and twenty,
tried to show him that any of her SIS
ters were better fitted for the post Of
Lady Terrick than she was-these are
matters well known. Also the grand
wedding, and the welcome home from
the Terrlck tenantry, and the pale
sweet smiles of the young bride.
A year after there was great expec-
tation. Bonnres were built ready for
lighting; the ringers hung about the
Terrick arms, waiting their orders, and
inside the great house people walked
silently and whispered anxlously. At
last the old woman who had come
from Ireland to nurse the Lady Flora
(she had been the darling of her nur-
sery) crept down the great staircase to
the library, her heart misgiving her,
but bold front to it all.
Praise God, yer honor-your lord
ship has beautiful chlld.'
Up started the father. flush on his
elderly face.
"A boyp' he cried.
NAY, yer honor; not this time. It's
the finest girl in the world though
Down in his chair sat Lord Terrick,
angrily glowering at the fire. After
minutes silence the old nurse spoke
and there was anger In her voice:
'I'll be going back to your lady, my
lord. Is there anything to say from
your honor2'
'Ehp' he started. Yes, of course.
Very glad 1t is over. Hope she will
soon recover
But before the argument had fairly
commenced as to the propriety Of
ringing bells or lighting bonfres, the
mothers tired spirit found rest, and
the smile on her dead face was all for
the tiny girl she left behind.
When the child was year old and
matrons were spreading their tolls to
provide solace for the widowed no
bleman, and when he had sent for the
little girl and heaved deeper sigh
than usual over the unconscious head.
Lord Terrick died. and, swapping the
difficult chain of events, left the Hon.
Flora Benson heiress at law to all he
possessed.
Providentlally this bereaved child
fell into good hands. and received
good and wholesome bringing up.
The fact revealed itself early that she
would have no beauty, and as she grew
to girlhood her well cultured mind de-
cided that her money would bring much
pretended alteration to her feet, and
that she would never have the happy
consciousness Of believing she was
loved for herself. When she was 18 she
con6ded some of her doubts to her aunt
aud chaperon, the Lady Margaret
O'Kelley. and between reasoning and
coaxlng persuaded that good and
affectionate woman to consent to a
romantic plan she had formed.
you see, Aunt Margaret, though
my father was peer. he was also man
of trade. While live IN state in Sur
rey large sums of money are paid to
my agents by the managers of the man
ufactory in Staffordshre. There is
Ridwell Grange-two miles only from
the works. My father lived there till
peerage and this castle were attained
together
We'll, my dear, and do you want to
live at Ridwell Granger 1t is your
oWn.'
sNo-not just that said Flora. hes
itatingly.
what then, childp' asked her aunt,
laying down her knitting and adjusting
her spectacles.
You see aunt, wart to get away
from mvsalf for littb