The Irish standard., 1890-08-23

u
/ 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. Il will certainly call.
At what time shall you supp"
.sAt 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"
.sThese people are extraordinarily
polite" thought the young man after
their departure, as he sat in his room
smoking cigar 81 really think they
have taken quite fancy to me. My
good looks think it must be, for
haven't single recommendation be-
sides on earth. Well, if find the girl
has money l may improve my adyant-
age and offer myself in matrimony.
Money wo uld be very acceptable just at
present"
Had Mrs. Jenkins heard this scliloquy
she would probably have come to the
conclusion that there was something
wrong about her calculations, but for
tunate1y 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
glow of Joy prevade his frame, and de-
termined on the spot to lay siege to the
heart of 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, shat
when you are countess 1 shall, OF
course, be dowager countess Or countess
dowager, really don't know which. I
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
In ;r q
little while longer
One point, however, puzzled her lit
tie. Notwithstanding the very intimate
terms of the earl with her family, he
never ventureds 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.
s'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-
ries, but never expected to have any
thing like 1t in my own family. Really,
l think 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 as her parents she care
fully guarded against betraying 1t to
the earl.
At last one memorable day she burst
into her mothers room with triumph
ant glow on her face.
elias he proposed?" exclaimed Mrs.
J enkins, in great agitation.
ssYes, mother was the reply of the
overjoyed Matilda. 'sHe told me that
he loved me to distraction"
II congratulate you, countess that Is
to be-" said her mother. 'sBy the way,
did he say any thing about his rank9"
'sNot 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-
gland!'
'sWey' repeated Matilda Surely you
don't propose going across the Atlantic
at your time Of life?"
sat my time Of life!'' said Mrs. Jen-
Kills, Sharply. Auue0u w. uOA I
mean that you shall have all the enjoy
ment But did the earl fix the day for
| the marriage?'
'sHe left it to me-"
'sThen 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 that
worthy lady, no longer able to restrain
herself, addressed her son-in-law.
81 trust, my lord, that you will never
regret this day.
''My lord!" repeated her son-in-law.
exhibiting unequivocal surprise.
Certainly you can not expect to re-
main incog. any longer"
''But I have no claim to the title.
ma'am.'
ssNo claim!" exclaimed mother and
daughter, turning pale 'Are you not
an earl2"
''Thatis only my Christian name"
''And what is your employment
asked Mrs. Jenkins, on the point OF
fainting.