New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-16

Old Lady MNpICStOM
more about her grandson. and one afternoon the
seed, planted in her drawlng-room some Time
back, received copious watering Inc llTeSome
and laxative lady spoken of in former chapter
was paying another visit TO the old-iashloned
drawing room in Albemare-St
"Yes. / have brought il with me-" she said
al knew IL would interest you, dear Lady Ma.
pleston, and also sent copy to your SON |
thought he might like to see it, What terrible
things these society papers are dear Lady Ma
pleston-such mischief as they do, and so spiteful !"
What paper is it?" asked the old lady
anxiously
Bon Tom They say the editors are so unscrupu
lous in the way they find out all these little
things, and that ladies of title are their chief
contributors. Isn't it shocking? l cannot bear
moral tone, think Shall read it TO you, dear
Lady Mapleston, will YOU read it for yourself?
And shall draw the blind q little for you, dear
Lady Mapeston? And-ah yeS!-yOu want your
dear spectacles-yOur spectacles, ] mean. Here
they are Those two paragraphs, dear Lady Ma
pleston-half.way down"
All the world is at Ascot, and a very pretty
world, too Seldom has the scene been brighter,
and this ought TO be good sign in land whose
cry Of Hard Times ascends from all sides. We
must suppose, then. that, since people are as well
dressed ever, they are economlzing IN some
other way. The toilettes this year are really
remarkable, and in exceptionally good taste One
Of the best-dressed women we have noticed is MIS-
Ferrers, who, if the profession of beauty were
not q thing of the past. might fairly enter the
bic for the triumphs of her wardrobe.
" But the next is the paragraph, dear Lady Ma
pleston. Here; do you see ?"
And the old lady read:
There are other things that we shrewdly sus-
pect also. Lord Mapleston's son, the Hon Cecl!
Farquhar, one Of our ieuDesse doree, Is Ter con-
slant attendant. What possibilities But we
guest Of Mrs. Ferrers's sister, Mrs Mud, wife Of
Horace Mud, the American contractor.
Old Lady Maplcston read in silence.
Isn't 1t too impairment, dear Lady Maple
stOn? ~ said her visitor; / brought the paper
you would be. 1t is too nsoent, call it. and
am sure your dear grandson must be very angry.
Perhaps he has not seen It, though; might
send him one. | have done what | could
sent dear Lord MaplestOn q copy by the first post
Thank You" said the old lady, .cOldly. "YOu
have indeed done what you could"
"Oh, but indeed you mustn't thank me-" said
her visitor. Il like to feel can be of use. And
away away have to cali on the GhoImeieys, and dear
Lord Roam and the Maxwells."
viii you leave me your psper?' asked old
Lady Mapleston, for she shrank from the thought
Of these visits, and the inevitable gossip If her
visitor retained the journal
think | will ask you---" began that lady
"Oh, WELL no matter" said Lady Mapleston
oh, but, dear me- yes how stupid To be
sure will, dear Lady Maplestoni Why, / can
get another from that man who sells papers at the
can, And it is all Oh my way to the Chomeleys'
And when at last she was gone, old Lady Ma
+" 1t would break my heart" she said. :" If
Cecil married badly"
Then she went over to the writng-table and
took out her pens and paper. She sat down and
wrote to her daughter-in-aw at Spa.
am very uneasy about Cecil, She wrote.
He has been lately very. much taken up with a
Mrs. Ferrers. She is a widow, and, i understand,
young and handsome but dear Caroline, women
are so designing, and, though ! know nothing OF
Mrs Ferrers. and would not for worlds impute
any unworthy motives TO her, cannot help being
uneasy. To-day Mrs. Lane has been here. She
showed me society paper, in which this lady IS
mentioned being well dressed at Ascot, and
Cecil's name is coupled with hers. He is, in
fact staying with Mrs. Ferrerss sister write
this in great haste, because Mrs Lane tells me
that she has very ofciOusly, think sent a copy
Of this paper to MaplestOn, and want you 10 pre-
vent his seeing IL if you can. ! know that his
ill-health makes him very irritable, and do not
want poor Cecil 20 get into trouble. Don't YOU
think you might caution the boy little? But
j leave this to you l do so trust Mapleston will
= In great haste, "Yours very afectionatccly,
Sarah Mapleston."
That night few hours after the dispatch Of
the letter there was brought to the old lady an
Dearest Granny" it ran. "you are the very
first person 10 whom am telling my good news
Won't you congratulate me Mrs. ferTers has
promised to be my wife, and | am the happleSt
fellow in the world. Dear grandmother, do not
be uneasy about this. Indeed, you would not be
and so good. ] did not keep anything back from
you the other day, for IL all came quite suddenly
| can't write a good letter; L never could, but
will YOU write and give me your blessing. Granny {?
value yours most Of all. want you to be glad
with me. and | know that you will like Mabel;
You could not help it if you knew her, and |
want YOU 10 let me bring her TO see you. DO
Writ and congratulate me.
"Your loving grandson, Cecil Farqnhar."
Old Lady MaplestOn sat down and write:
my darling boy: God bless you and your
future wife, and grant that all may 20 well with
you both | hope that you have acted for the
best, but I trust you, Cecil Bring Mrs, FerrerS
70 see me.
"Sarah Maplcston.'
And few DAYS later, ola Lady Mapleston got
letter from her son, at Spa
Il know nothing Of this Mrs. FcrTers, wrote
Lord MaplestOn. 81 have written 10 Cecil 10 say
hat II he marries without my consent cut him
but Of my will"
And now" said old Lady Mapleston to her
elf with sigh, we shall know whether MIS-.
Ferrers cares for Cecil or his money"