The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-03-07

of great ,bscernment. She saw moth
ing but what might be expected Of
an earl. and murmured in the ear of
Matilda that his appearance was very
distingue-by the way. she pronounced
the word in way Of her own.
Matilda nodded assent TO her
mothers remark. and began 10 play
off her airs and graces upon the dis
tinguished gentleman. Her delight
was great 10 find that she was creating
an impression. The earl listened TO
her very attentively. and even conde-
scended to exchange little playful
badinage.
IT should judge" said Mrs. jenkins
nj length. that You We're not an
American. There Is something about
you which makes me think you an En-
gishman.
You are right. ma'am." said the
earl. II am from England
May ask II you have been long in
our country"
Mrs. jenkins hardly knew whether
to say sir or pot. but finally decided
not 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 aud said:
II should be very happy indeed to
see you at our house 10 tea tomorrow
evening. II you have no other engage
ment / have always had very high
idea of the English and am glad to have
an opportunity to show II.
Thank you ma'am." the earl replied
with alacrity. II will certainly call.
At what time do you sup?n
AT whatever hour will prove most
convenient to YOU" was the gracious
reply.
Indeed maam you are very kind.
Suppose we name il 6 then"
''Thank you. MY mean sir. We
shall look forward with great pleasure
to your coming
''Those people are extraordinarily
polite" thought the young man after
their departure, rs he sat in his room
smoking cigar. IL really think they
have taken quite fancy to me. NV
haven't single recommendation be-
sides on earth. Well. il find the girl
has money | may improve my advant.
ago aud offer myself in matrimony.
Money would be very acceptable just
at present
Had Mrs. jenkins heard this solilo-
guy she would probably have come to
the conclusion that there was some
thing wrong about her calculations.
but fortunately 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 IL
lustrious guest. As he saw the numer-
Gus daintes spread out before him he
felt glow of JOY prcyade his frame,
and determined on the spot TO lay
siege to the heart of Matilda.
The reader will imagine that his adj
vances 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 gratitied. 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 hither.
TO ventured to look down upon her.
You know, Matilda she said. 'that
when you are countess | shall OF
course be dowager countess or count
ess dowager. really don't know which.
| wish / could find somewhere "a book
of the British peerage. then | could
find out without any trouble She
thought of going 10 the bookseller and
asking him TO send for the book. but
on second thought decided that II
would be most prudent not to run any
such risk of revealing her aspirations,
even if she were obliged TO remain in
ignorance n little while longer
One point, however, puzzled her o
little. Notwithstanding the very inti-
mate terms of the earl with her family.
he never vcntured 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 IL
determined 10 romain incog. so rs TO
make sure that YOU marry him for him-
self alone. / have read of such cases
in stories. hut never expected TO have
anything like Il in my own family.
Really. / think IL is quite romantic.
On the whole guess II would be best
to say nothing about L until you are
fairly married.
Matilda acted upon her mothers
prudent advice. aud. although her
curiosity was rs strong as her parents.
she carefully guarded against betray-
ing il 10 the earl.
At last one memorable day she burst
into her mothers room with triumph
ant glow on her face.
Has he proposed?p exclaimed Mrs.
jenkins Ia great agitation.