Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-04-28

after preliminary canter at Newport,
previous to doing California and some
big hunting in the "Rookies;" but Later
he intended to return and spend season
in New York and Boston society," Hit
name was for the moment on every onet
lips, and there WAS much quiet maternal
inquiry as to how long the old peer was
likely to last, for the Honorable Ernest
was said to be rather short of money.
"He has q fine forehead, and if one
likes boards, his is certainly handsome
specimen" said Aunt Helen ruminant-
ly, as we were driving home. 81 have
no fancy for them myself, but it is al
ways possible to shave them off; that's
one comfort"
| OWNED Of whom she was speaking,
but made no response.
''How did you like him, VirginiaY'
"Mr. Ferroll2 l found him very en-
tertainng," replied.
Il thought he seemed decidedly i'm
pressed by you. He scarcely kept his
eyes off you all through dinner. l don't
blame him, for you were looking your
best. Duchess of Clyde! You might do
worse, Virginia. They say he is anxious
to marry"
$50 Mrs. Trenaine informed me-"
"Dd she really? That was very atnia-
BILE Of her, especially as you are stran-
ger, and there must be plenty of girls in
whom she is interested who are setting
their caps for him. 1 could not help
thinking at dinner what a handsome
pair you would make"
Gone would suppose you We're in
earnest, from your serious tone, Aunt
Helen"
And so l am, so l am, quite in ear
nest. OF course | should wish to know a
little more definitely about him before
anything final was arranged. But from
what | hear there can be no question in
regard to his title. If there were the
slightest suspicion of anything out of
the way concerning it he would never
have been at Mrs. Tremaine's, who is n
very particular woman, and knows what
she knows. He sssms, so far as | could
judge, to be a manly, right minded
young man. He told me that he shot
three tigers in India, and | observed
that he took scarcely any wine at din
ner. 1t won't do, though, Virginia. to
dilly daily, for am given to understand
that he leaves in fortnight for Cali
foruia to explore the west. But he is
coming back to spend several months
next winter, and if you do not throw
cold water on him now he may feel dis
posed to run on to Boston, in spite of the
efforts that will be made to keep him
here"
Il feel very certain said l, chat he
will come to Boston for few days, as
he has letters to Aunt Agnes"
ITO your Aunt Agnes? What do you
mean, child:' In her establishment |
thought she was going to bounce out of
( the carriage.
Il don't wonder you are surprised.
Yes, the first question he asked was if
were not the niece of Miss Agnes Har-
Ian, of Boston. 1t seems that she and
his father made an ocean passage to-
gether a great many years ago, when
they We're both young, and the acquaint
ance has been kept up by correspondence
ever since"
Mercy on us! Your Aunt Agnes has
never said word to me about it,"
The Honorable Ernest's father i,
quite literary and has written one Oh
two books on philosophy, his son saws"
That accounts for it, Of course. Well
WE'LL to think of your Aunt Agnes be
ing intimate with one Of the nobility
and having never mentioned the sub
ject! | have always given her credit fol-
being an agreeable woman at bot
tom if one could only forget her eccen
tricities. But this is extremity fortunate
for you, Virginia. To be sure, there j;
no knowing how your aunt will receiv,
him, she is SO hostile to every one who i!
is not as queer as herself, But she
must see, if she is not fool, what d
very advantageous match this would be
for you. 1t could do no harm just t,
drop Mr.. Ferroll a hint to humOr he
Il little and seem fond of serious sub
jects at the start, for if she should hap
pen to take it into her head to ask hin
to stay at her house it would be yer,
convenient"
These sentiments were frequently re
iterated by Aunt Helen during the re
naming weeks of our visit, and it mus
be allowed that the attentions of tn
Honorable Ernest soon justified he
urgency, seeing that she really believe
it was matter Of vital importance TO
.. me to become the future Duchess o
, Clyde. Nor was l at all sure mysel
that if nothing else turned mp / NIGH
not be tempted by the brillanry of sue
p position. Not that thought about
quite so definitely, but | was consciou
of the exceptional advantages incden
. to high rank in England to the exten
+ that did not treat his gallantries wit
: marked indifference. | let him reeves
/, himself for what he was, which is nc
possible without a certain degree of in
timacy. Beneath his conventional way
/ discovered q great deal Of energy an
, decision. He was well read and ha
; his own opinions.
8 On many of the days when l did nc
go down town, took strolls with hil
r in the park and elsewhere. We di
{ cussed all sorts and kinds of subject
:, We did not often agree but that rattle