The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-11-20
4 THE LONDONDERRY SITTER,

wrong about her calculations, but fort
unately 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 illustrious
guest, AS he saw the numerous dainties
spread out before him he felt glow of
joy pervade his frame, and determined
on the spot to lay siege to the heart of
Matilda.
The reader will easily imagine that his
advances We're 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 mo-
Their less gratifed, The good lady held
her head higher than ever, and speedily
anticipated the time when, as mother
in-law of an earl, she would take pre-
cedence 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 dowa-
ger, l really don't know which, wish
could find somewhere 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 little
while longer.
One point, however, puzzled her a
little. Notwithstanding the very in
innate 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 l 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.
ries, but l never expected to have any
thing like it in my own family. Really
| think it is quite romantic. On the
whole 1 guess it would be best to say
nothing about it until you are fairly
married"
Matilda acted upon her mothers pru
dent advice, and although her curiosity
was as strong as her parents she care,
fully guarded against betraying 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 proposedY' exclaimed Mrs.
Jenkins in great agitation.
Yes, MOTHER" was the reply of the
overjoyed Matilda. "He told me that
he loved me to distraction"
81 congratulate you, countess that is
to be, said her mother. "By the way,
did he say anything about his rank?"
Not a word, mother"
81 am not at all surprised. Be sure
then that You don't give him hint that
you know anything about it. How much
we shall enjoy going to England"
over repeated Matilda. 'Surely you
don't propose going across the Atlantic
at your time of life?"
cat my time of lifer said Mrs. Jen-
kins sharply. "Indeed l do. 1 don't
mean that you shall have all the enjoy.
ment. But did the earl fix the day fol-
| the marriage?'
'He left that 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
cottage. Scarcely was it over than thai
worthy lady. no longer able to restrai,
herself, addressed her son-in-law:
Il trust, my lord, that you will never
regret this day."
my lord!' repeated her son-in-law
exhibiting unequivocal surprise.
Certainly you cannot expect to re-
main incog any longer"
But l have no claim to the title
ma'am."
mo claimr exclaimed the mother and
daughter, turning pale. "Are you not an
earlY'
"That is only my Christian name"
''And what is your employment
asked Mrs. jenkins on the point of faint
ing.
81 am house painter, madam, bu
being little unwell was ordered by the
doctor to spend a couple of months in the
country"
We draw veil over the scene that en-
sued. The lofty fabric of pride which
Mrs. Jenkins had built up fell to the
ground, and her chance Of being allied
to the British nobility seems more re
mote than ever.-Caroline F. Preston il
Boston Globe.