The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-01-10
SELECTED STORY.
Irish COurtship.

ECOih, Nibhih u cilplb Niobdntt VI bht
pleasant waters of the river Lee, " stood
Vernon Mount the residence of Sir
Henry Hayes. Sir Henry, like most
Irish gentlemen of the time, was dash
ing, reckless and improvident, conse-
quently he was generally popular and
frequently impecunious.
Seated at breakfast one morning with
his sister, the knights brow was unusu-
ally cloudy, circumstance that did
not escape the lady's observant eyes.
"What' S the matter now" she asked.
"Have you got into any fresh scrape?"
ITS the same old story, " he answer
ed gloomily. "No cash, no credit
ruin not far ahead
"Why don't you retrieve the fortunes
of the family by marrying an heiress?
It's sure and easy way out of diff
Guilty"
"Heiress, indeed" exclaimed Sir
Henry. Where is she? You cant
gather heiresses on the hedges like
blackberries in a Kerry lane"
NO" returned his sister quietly,
''but they can be found, though, and
not so far off either There's Miss Pike,
for instance"
Miss Pike!" he laughed contemptu-
ously. why, l have never seen her
and don't know that I'll ever set eyes
on her.
BAIL" said the lady scornfully. eff
> were man, l should soon speak to
any woman had a mind to. "
But Miss Pike Is prim little Qua
ker and would be Mortified at the bare
suggestion of marrying such a harum
scarum, devil may care fellow as | am
known to be. ="
Henry" said his sister, with sever
ity, II IN ashamed of you! How many
of your countrymen have carried off
their brides with strong hand and
married them willy nilly? l begin to
doubt whether you have any of the old
Hayes blood left in your veins.
Don't despair, Jane, " returned the
knight, with an evil CLEAN in his eyes.
You re good sister, and I'll try to
benefit by your wisdom. Since the days
of Mother Eve woman has been at the
bottom of all mischief. -
Miss Hayes did not reply to this sar-
casm. and the meal terminated in 81
lence.
Mr.. Cooper Penrose, gentleman we'll
known and much respected in society,
lived in a charming country house not
far from Cork. Miss Mary Pike, the
only daughter and heiress of his dead
friend, Samuel Pike, had been intrusted
to his guardianship, and he cared for
her with the affection of father. Miss
Pike was a young lady upon whose ed
ucation no expense had been spared.
Delicately and tenderly nurtured, she
was unusually accomplished, and in adj
dition she possessed the modesty and re-
serve characteristic of the sect to which
her family belonged. Altogether more
attractive young lady could hardly be
found among the fascinating daughters
of Erin.
The residence of Mr.. Penrose was
built in very picturesque situation.
1t was indeed one of the sights of the
neighborhood which strangers frequent
ly came to see. One fine summer day
an unknown gentleman rode up the av-
,enue and seemed to observe everything
with attentive curiosity. With true Irish
hospitality Mr.. Penrose Immediately
went out and conducted him over the
place. The stranger was much enter
tanned, fingered about the grounds. I'D
miring and praising everything, and
finally as the hour of dinner approached
received an invitation to that meal. Mr..
Penrose was naturally reluctant to in
troduce an unknown stranger to his
family, but the hospitable feelings of
an Irish gentleman prevailed over his
scruples. Sir Henry Hayes-for it was
he-was received with much kindness
- and cordially and made the acquaint-
ance of the fair and unsuspecting maid
en- against whom he harbored such fell
designs. In fact, he had come solely
for the purpose of enabling him to iden-
tify her when his plans were fully ma
tured
"Well?" said Miss Hayes next morn
ing.
well, " returned her worthy broth
or, - have seen the heiress But we
are no nearer the goal than before. She
Is too well guarded. 1t would take
regiment of soldiers and park of ar
hllery to storm yon mansion"
"lndeed!' said the lady sardonically.
1T seems to me the better plan would
be to let the girl come out to you of
her own free will"
VERY true, indeed, but how is it to
he done?"
That's for you to find out. I'm not
wanting to marry Mary Pike. How
ever, suppose ! must stimulate your
sluggish invention. Do you know that
her mother is very i'll in Cork?"
so l have heard but what has that
to do with it?''
And her medical attendant is DR..
Gibbings," pursued the lady, unmind-
ful of his question.
''Well, what them" said her brother,
not perceiving her drift.
How dull you are this morning,
Henry" Miss Hayes continued. Gould
not DR.. Gibbings ask Mary to come into
Cork some night to see her mother?"
'Impossible!" exclaimed the knight.
SIN the first place, / don't know DIR.
Gibbings, and in the second place he
wouldn't Join in any plot of the kind. :"