The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-10-17


tall, dark young man, with large intel
ligent eyes, rather pale but healthy
complexion, full lips, good teeth and
wavy hair, almost black in hue and worn
O trife longer than the wonted military
cut-such is John Dalyell to look at. II
he be truly as pleased as his mother at
the engagement he has recently entered
into with Miss Peyton, well-all that can
be said is that he is pleased sadly. There
is not spark of the jolly, thriving wooer
in his gait or aspect, and his whole bear
ing, which is in every way distinguished
is marked by degree of repose almost
amounting to listlessness.
"Bcen over to the manor, John?" asks
his mother brightly; ''but of course you
have. Oh! these lovers, these lovers
Well, it is the happiest season of life
the vanishing season. Moore calls il
somewhere"
"Ha-a! Beautiful throws in the
susceptible Price soto voce.
mo, mother" answers her only off.
spring frankly, yawning, "Marian and
are to ride after luncheon. She was ex.
pecting friend from the north this
morning-a Miss-I forget who. They
have not met for ages-about six weeks
l believe, and-I was not wanted"
"Oh! / remember" says Lady Char.
lotte, slight cloud passing over hel
face. ga little nobody with a grand
sounding name. Why Marian could not
leave her among her Cumberland hills
can't think; but she has way of picking
up odd people"
"Does that include me?" asks John
smiling to show he intended this for q
mild joke.
Nonsense; / should have thought ar
old saying about, 'Two's company et
cetera, might have occurred both to Ma
rian and you at this time. Why did you
let her ask this girl?'
"Marian never consulted mel" he re-
plies astonished, "and by the bye, she
didn't invite her. Miss-a-Templemo
wrote and asked if she might come"
When, about an hour later, John rode
over to the manor he found both ladies
equipped ready to mount.
What a contrast they presented as they
stood on the steps leading from the grand
entrance! 1t was very battle of charms
and victory would be given to either, ac.
cording to the taste and fancy of the UNI.
pire.
Perhaps it would be more just to pro.
nounce it drawn battle. The blonde, fol
such was Kate, had the doubtful advant.
age of being the younger by five years-we
say doubtful, for is any age of woman
more charming than hree-and-twentyi
Miss Peyton looked somewhat "more
elder than her years." but her height
her fine figure, noble, if somewhat severe
cast of features, all these will be touched
but lightly by the wing of time; while
her little friend, now a dazzling agglom.
Grafton of imperfections-ah! let her
revel in her wealth of youth and fresh.
ness, for in sober truth what has she be.
side?
Dalyell is duly introduced, and a few
minutes later he finds himself bounding
along over the elastic turf of this Hamp-
shire park, his old and his new friend to
right and left of him.
The sun shines brightly, glimpse OF
the calm silver sea is visible from afar
the exercise is exhilarating, and all
things combine to make him feel in q
far happier state of mind and spirits
than he has done for many a long day.
Truth to tell, the last few weeks have
been the most anxious of his life.
Though he had known Miss Peyton rath.
er intimately ever since she wore short
frocks, he had never thought of her as a
wife. Only little month ago Lady
Charlotte broached the subject for the
first time, for, though bad diplomatist
this woman of the world knew human
nature well enough to avoid the danger
of educating two young people into affec.
ton.
Itwas only when she found, after every
opportunity. given, that her son would
never naturally pay his addresses to the
heiress, that it occurred to the fond
mother to sound Miss Peyton-of course
it was most unfair step towards that
young lady; but what will not mother dc
to marry to her liking an only son? And
then she proposed to John to go in for
her, plainly limiting that she had made
smooth the way. But the son of eight
and-twenty took time to consider. He
did more, he ran up to town and con.
suited his fidus Achates, alias Fred War
render, one of his old regiment, who hap.
pened to be up on leave.
Fact is, old feller," John had said
after setting forth his case, 81 have al.
ways meant to marry, have no sort OF
fault to find with Miss Peyton, and the
mater is hot on the match"
"Then what do you want my advice
about?"
"Well," said Dalyell, looking down
shyly at his boot; I'm not sure I'm
doing right"
"And SO you want to shirk the respon.
sibility on me, see. All right, old man.
work the willing horse. love response,
bility, glory and revel in it; fire away,
Do you feel the girl doesn't care for your
"Oh. no! what puts that in your head?'
says John, looking up naively.
"Then you don't love her? or what the
devil is it!"
81 have never loved any one." a
'Well, certainly have never known
you even spooney for one hour-not in
all these years."
"Now, Fred, this is point of honor.
Ought l to link woman's fate with
mine merely for the reasons l have
stated? Have l a right to talk of love to
a girl who, while admire and like her,
leaves my heart as cold as-as it has
ever been?"
"My dear boy, of course you have,
Listen to me. There is no necessity to