The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1894-01-13

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TIE OLD M1ERoR's NARRATIVE
The finest old mansion in all Berkshire is
| Raven Court, the place in which / have
spent all my days, and the handsomest wo
man in the whole county, at the time o.
which, l am about to speak. was Lady
Dovetlee the relict Of one Sir David Dove
tree who was thrown from his horse while
hunting, and brought home killed.
Lady Dovetrce wore her widows mourn
ing for two entire years, at the expiration
of which period she put it off altogether,
and displayed her shining curls once more
tiny, spiral tresses OF a bright golden hue
they were, clustering over her white brow
and her falling shoulders, and wore her
iavolite color, the pale blue, in which she
looked lovely as the tlowers then blossom
ing III the well-kept gardens Of Ravens
Court. y
Now, Lady Dovetree was forty years Of
! age, and she owned to her years -ay, to
every one OF them-but she barely looked
thirty, still so perfect was her figure, so
fresh her complexion, so thick and glossy
her hair, so white her teeth, and so very
cheerful her disposition. Everybody that
woman that people couldn't help admiring,
= and she had a score of suitors
linen who were going half distracted
about her; her own cousin, Squire Cat
ciiffe, being one amongst the nnlbe But
Lady Dovetree didn't seem to care for any
of her lovers; she was gracious and kind to
all ofthem, it's true, but her heart was as
free as the air.
But Squire Gatcliffe, who was q widower
with an only daughter, was most perse-
vering in his suit and he continued to
prosecute it night and day. Nevertheless,
Lady Dovetree was like an icicle, and the
Squire, with all his warmth, failed to thaw
her. She was alW avs very neighborly-her
cousins estate adjoined hers and her
courtesy he fondly endeavored to construe
into a proof of her attachment towards
himself and Alice, his young and pretty
daughter.
widowhood did not sit easily upon Lady
Dovetree (who was childless, you must
underStand). Her nature was TAR too
sensitive-tar too affectionate to be con-
tented with a solitary life. She was yearn-
make her existence less monotonous and
less selfish than it was. But the suitors
who presented themselves to her, though
well-born and wealthy, were all OF them
hard-riding, hard-drinking. burly men,
too t n. much IRE resembling NIB ne the Late Late Sir i D tHd 1d to
bosom of the lovely widow. -.
Her ladyship at first tried to interest
herself in rich brocades, in point-lace, old
Dresden china, aud %pug-nosed lap-dogs.
But she soon grew wearied of all those;
8uU InGll CuEueu W pTcIIy kAllCC OdGCllllSs
who was as giddy as a butterfly: and en-
deavored to amuse herself with the young
girls prattle about balls and beaux AND
sundry other things. But, alack! Lady
Dovetree. although n of the kindest aunts
in all creation, found little solace or di,
version in her niece,s society, and was just
as weary hearted as ever.
Finding Alice in the way between HIM
self and the widow, Squire Gatcliffe sent
his, daughter on q visit to his friend,
Colonel Elsington, who also had q daugh-
ter Of the same age named Mildred:
grand squares IN London, amid hustle and
gaiety, and Alice was delighted to be-
come his guest. and to remain such for
as long a period as her father would
permit her 10 do SO.
The coast being quite clear, Squire Cat
widow, seeking every means to please her.
doing all he could to win her smiles. But
in vain, in vain! Lady Dovetree continued
as cold as ever. and the Squire was on the
very verge of despair. He viewed his face
and figure in the glass, and wondered how
cousin in his favor. His eyes were as
bright, his nose as straight, his teeth as per-
feet, his carriage as upright, his calf as
firm as of yore! Then, in the name of
goodness, what did she find to object to
in him?
To he sure, his hair was somewhat griz-
zled-he had forgotten that fact, he
was only torty-eight, and as hearty as any
man in Berkshire. Pooh! NONSENSE! cousin
Flora must be made to see his worth, and
to reciprocate his honest passion! "Ah
what would he mot do for cousin Floral"
htasks himself over and over again with
signs that would have filled the sails of a
boat.
handsome. frank-hearted, generous,
eyes was the perfection of ~womankind.
Yet, such was the perversity of her mind,
she saw none of his good qualities, and felt
only annoyed by his attentions. Nay, she
sometimes regretted that he was her near
neighbour. and wished him on the other
side of the Atlantic.
b You see, the widow was exceedingly 70.
mantle, while her cousin was plain. and
.matter.of-fact. Mind, I do not wish to inn
press you with q notion that the lady was
in any way deficient. She had plenty of
sound sense, but still her ideas might be
considered somewhat too fancilul for her
years.
One fine day, early in May, as Lady
grounds, inhaling the delicious fragrance
Of the air, and listening to the summers
birds song, q servant in strange livery came
up the avenue from :, the highwaya, and
UbSelly approaching A4C4 A0AAy III WAN 11NA
that his master, Captain RomilIy, had inst
been thrown from his horse at her lady
ships lodge-gate, and that, being grievous-
~ injured, he begged the hospitable shelter
of Raven's Court for q while.
.'Surely," answered she lady, very bland
~. Bear Lady Dove reefs compliments
to Captain Ronlillv. and tell him that the
doors OF Ravens Court are open wide to
him." i.
At this the servant bowed, and quickly
disappeared amongst the trees in the direc-
ton. of the iodge-gate.
Cantain R0Milly had broken his arm,
and Lady Dovetree sent for a surgeon to set
1t, and gave the handsome officer the best
bedroom in the mansion.
A few days after this event. Lady Dove
tree Began to manifest q great deal of inter.
est. and anxiety respecting the comforts of
her guest concerning the different dishes
he liked. the mode of cooking he best pre-
;ferred; and various other little matters; and
Squire Gatcliffe grew jealous ofthe captain
with the broken arm, n wished him
miles and miles away from Ravens. Court.
But days fed. and Captain Ronilly still
fingered in his new quarters--which Lady
D0yetree was making very agreeable to
him-never saying one word about leaving
them.
Captain Romillv was q fine soldier.!ike
man of thirty years OF age: very gallant,
grateful. susceptible, and affectionate. He
liked Ravens court, and he thought its
mistress the most charming woman he had
ever been acquainted with. And he accord.
ingly paid her every attention that his
gratitude and admiration dictated.