Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1891-01-10

the distinguished stranger quite to
themselves. 1t suited Mrs. Jenkins
toappear quite ignorant of the earl's
station-even of his nationality, I'M
less he should himself reveal it.
1t would have been somewhat diff
cult to decide wherein lay the marks
OF high birth which Mrs. Jenkins
| professed to find in the stranger.
He looked much more like third
rate clerk. He wore a flash waist
coat, an extensive cravat, and Il
gorgeous watchchain which might
have been gold, but looked more like
the SNOWY articles which remind one
of the old proverh that "all is not
gold that glitters."
But Mrs Jenkins was not wom-
an of great diScernment. She saw
nothing 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 pro-
nounced the word in way OF her
| own.
Matilda nodded assent to her
mothers remark, and began to play
of her airs and graces upon the dis
tinguished gentleman. Her delight
was great TO find that she was Great
ing an impression. The earl listened
to her very attentively, and even
condescended to exchange a little
playful badinage.
Il should Judge" said Mrs. Jen-
kins at length, that you were not
an American. There is something
about you which makes me think
you an Englishman."
You are right, ma'am," said the
earl, 81 am from England
"May ! ask ifyou have been long
in our country"
Mrs. Jenkins hardly knew whether
to say sir or not, but finally decided
not to do so.
only few months" was the re-
ply.
"A few MONTHS thought she.
Then he must certainly be travelling
incog. or we should have heard ofhis
being here by the papers"
When they were ready to depart
the managing lady turned to the
Englishman and said:
Il should be very happy indeed to
see you at our house to tea to-mor-
row evening, if you have no otheren-
gagement. | have always had very
high idea OF the English and am glad
TO have an opportunity to show it, "
THANK you ma'am," the eatf re-
piled with alacrity. II will certainly
call. At what time do vol sup"
'At whatever hour will prove most
convenient toyou," was the gracious
reply
Indeed, ma'am, youare very kind.
Suppose we name it 6 then"
Thank you, my-I mean sir. We
shall look forward with great pleas
ure to your coming"
Those people are extraordinarily
polite" thought the young man aft.
or their departure, as he sat in his
room smoking a cigar. II really
think they have taken quite fancy
to me. My good looks | think it
must be, for haven't a single recon-
mendatiOn besides on earth. Well, il
| find the girl has money | may i'm
prove my advantage and offer my
self in Eatrimony. Money would be
very acceptable just mt present"
Had Mrs. Jenkins heard this sollo-
guy she would probably have come
to the conclusion that there was
something wrong about her calcula.
tions, 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 illustrious guest. As he saw the
numerous daintiGs spread out before
him he felt a glow OF joy peryade his
frame, and determined 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 enraptur-
ed by the conquest which she had
achieved over the heart OF an earl.
Nor was her mother less gratifed.
The good lady held her head Tighter
than ever, and speedily anticipated
the time when. as the mother.in-aw
of an earl, she would take precedence
Of all who had hitherto venturcd to
look down upon her.
You know, Matilda" she said
''that when you are Il countess shall
OF course be dowuger countess OF
countess. dowager, really don't
know which. | wish | could find
somewhere u hook OF the British
peerage, then | could find out with.
nut any trouble" She thought o
going to the book seller and asking
{ him to send Tor the book, but on
second thought decided that il
would be most prudent not TO run
any such risk Of revealing hei
aspirations, even it she were Obliged
to remain in ignorance little while
longer.
: Gne point, however, puzzled her 4
, little. Notwithstanding the very in
timate terms OF the earl with her
family, he never ventured any alu
sion TO his rank or his English es
J tatps or the an cunt OF his income
which Mrs. Jenkins would have beer
II 4