Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-09-11

MAY ask if you have been long in
our country?"
Mrs. Jenkins hardly knew whether to
say sir or not, but finally decided nc to
do so.
only few months, was the reply.
"a few months" thought she. Then
he must certainly be travelling incog.
or we should have heard Of his being
here by the papers"
When they were ready to depart, the
managing lady turned to the English
man and said:
81 should be very happy indeed to see
you at our house to tea tomorrow even
ing, if you have no other engagement
have always had very high idea Of
the English and am glad to have an OPP
portunity to show it,
THANK you ma 'am," the earl replied,
with alacrity. II will ceT .ainly call.
At what time shall you supp"
AT whatever hour will prove most
convenient to YOU" was the gracious
reply.
Indeed, ma'am, you are very kind.
suppose we name six then"
THANK you, MY mean sir We
shall look forward with great pleasure
to your coming"
"These people are extraordinarily
pol ite," thought the young man after
their departure, as he sat in his room
smoking cigar II really think they
have taken quite fancy to me. My
good looks l think it must be, for
haven't single recommendation be.
sides on earth. Well, if find the girl
has money l may improve my advant-
age and offer myself in matrimony.
Money wo uld be very acceptable just at
present"
Had Mrs. Jenkins heard this soliloquy
she would probably have come to the
conclusion that there was something
wrong about her calculations, but for
tunately for our hero this was not the
case.
1t will be readily imagined that Mrs.
Jenkins exerted her culinary skill to
the utmost in preparing for her illustri-
GUS guest. AS he saw the numerous
dainties spread out before him he felt a
glow of JOY prevade his frame, and de-
termined on the spot to lay siege to the
heart or Matilda
The reader will easily imagine that
his advances were readily met by the
young lady, who was quite enraptured
by the conquest which she had achieved
over the heart of an earl. Nor was her
mother less gratified. The good lady
held her head higher than ever, and
speedily anticipated the time when, as
the mother-in-law of an earl, she
would take precedence of all who had
hitherto ventured TO look down upon
her.
''You know, Matilda" she said, 'that
when you are a countess [ shall, of
course, be dowager countess or countess
dowager, l really don't know which. l
wish could find somewhere a book of
the British peerage, then | could find
out without any trouble" She thought
of going to the bookseller and asking
him to send for the book, but on second
thought decided that it would be most
prudent not to run any such risk of re-
vealing her aspirations, even if she
were obliged to remain in ignorance a
little while longer.
One point, however, puzzled her lit
tie. Notwithstanding the very intimate
terms of the earl with her family, he
never ventured any allusion to his rank,
or his English estates, or the amount of
his income, which Mrs. Jenkins would
have been very glad to learn.
But / suppose, Matilda" she re-
marked to her daughter, that he is de-
termined to remain incog. so as to make
sure that you marry him for himself
alone. / have read of such cases in sto-
RES, but never expected to have any
hing like it in my own family. Really,
/ thllk it is quite romantic. On the
whole | guess it would be best to say
nothing about it till youare fairly mar
ried."
Matilda acted upon her mothers pru-
dent advice, and although her curiosity
was as strong rs her parents she care
fully guarded against hetraying it to
the earl.
At last one memorable day she burst
into her mothers room with a triumph
ant glow on her face.
HAS he proposed?" exclaimed Mrs.
enkins. in great agitation.
Eyes, mother" was the reply OF the
overioyed Matilda. ''He told me that
he loved me to distraction"
II congratulate you, countess that is
to be-" said her mother. by the way,
did he say any thing about his rank?"
mot word, mother"
81 am not at all surprised. Be sure,
then, that you don't give him hint
that you know any thing about it
How much we shall enjoy going to En-
glands"
'Wer' repeated Matilda. Surely you
don't propose going across the Atlantic
at your time Of life?"
"At my time of lifel" said Mrs Jen-
kins, sharply. Indeed | do. l don't
mean thatyou shall have all the enjoy
ment. But did the earl fix the day for
the marriage?''
HE left it to me-"
Then fix it as soon as possible. You
must not let him slip through your fin
gers"
That day three weeks the important
ceremony took place in Mrs. Jenkins
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