Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1894-08-24

of the old proverh that call is not
gold that glitters.
But NJ rs 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 a way OF her
own.
Matildn nodded assent to her
mothers remark, and began to play
off her airs and graces upon the dis
tinguished gentleman. Her delight
was great to find that she was creat-
ing an impression. The earl listened
to her very attentively, and even
condesce nded to exchange little
playful hadinage.
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."
sYou 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 a few months was the re-
"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 a very
high idea of the English and am glad
to have an opportunity to show it"
Thank you ma'am,o the earl re-
piled with alacrity. II will certainly
call. At what time do yo u SUPP"
At whatever hour will prove most
convenient toyou," was gracious
reply.
Indeed, ma am, youare very kind.
Suppose we name it then"
THANK you, my-I mean sir. We
shall look forward with great pleas
ure to your coming"
CHOSE people are extraordinarily
polite" thought the young man att
er their departure, as he sat in his
room smoking II cigar. Il really
think they have taken quite fancy
to me. My good looks | think it
must be, for l haven't asingle recon-
mendation besides on earth. Well, if
find the girl has money may inn
prove my advantage and offer my
self in Eatrimony. 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
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 III preparing for
her illustrious guest. AS he saw the
numerous dainties spread out before
him he felt glow OF JOY pervade his
frame, and determined on thespot 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.
Ia, + Il
The good lady held her head Tighter
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,
that when you are 6, countess shall
of course be dowager countess or
countess dowager, I really don't
know which. | wish | could find
somewhere a book OF the British
peerage, then / could find out with
out any trouble She thought of
going to the bookseller 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 her
aspirations, even if she were obliged
to remain in ignorance little while
longer.
One point however, puzzled her a
little. Notwithstanding the very in
innate terms of the earl with her
family, he never yentured any allu-
sion to his rank or his English es-
tates or the am cunt of his income,
which Mrs. Jenkins would have been
very glad to learn.
but, suppose, Matilda" she re-
marked to her daughter, that he is
determined to remain incog. SO as to
make sure that you marry him for
himself alone. have read Of such
cases in stories, but | never expected
to have anything like it in my own
family Really, think it is quite
romantic On the whole ] guess it
would be best to say nothing about
it until you are fairly married"
Matilda acted upon her mothers
prudent advice, and, although her
curiosity was as strong as her par
ent's she carefully. guarded against
betraving it to the earl.
At last one memorable day she
burst into her mothers room with q
triumphant glow on her face.
Has he proposed?' exclaimed
Mrs. Jenkins in great agitation.
"Yes, mother was the reply OF
the overioyed Matilda. He told