The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1894-01-20

"tblSSu l a. OCHltA-
ming to, take a dislike to the Squire. He
did not liketc hear Lady Dovetree's age
continually dinned in his ears. He loved
her ~passionately and sincerely, he thought,
and more than that he could not do, were
Turning to the Squire, the Captain warmly
addressed him.
Squire Gatcliffe, I request, as a particu-
lar favor to myself, that in my presence,
and in her house, you will refrain from
making any illusions to Lady Dovetree's
age: viii! be plain-spoken, and tell you
icate proceeding on your part to reflect
tina, lady's years!"'
oh, you do, do you, Captain?" sneered
his companion.
lido, Squire GatclifIe; and for that which
with yon, were 1 not Withheld by two strong
reasons"
1.-TWO strong reasons, ell, Captain?"
Eyes. In he first place, you are Lady
Dovetree,s cousin; secondly, you are an
old man."
At.this the Squire burst cut into a fit of
loud laughter. IAN old man!-an old
mani" he repeated. Come that's good!
considering I'm only eighty years older
than her ladyship! by Jove what next
"Why, your entire silence on a subject
WHICH IL W ilc u very IGllucf OuC 10 IOuCu
upon. You understand me. Squirrel"
The deuce a bit do l, Captain!"
"Well, proceeded the officer; "why
should I,%dissemble? Hove Lady Dovetree.
wife!"
"Your wi fe!" echoed the Squire: "what
you, a dashing young officer in James the
Second'sservice--you wed a woman o torty!
Nonsense, you are jesting!"
"No so, Squire Gatcliffe: I am in sober
earnest the Captain replied, with con-
siderable hauteur, II am out of patience
with all this reckoning Of years. months,
beautiful and good, l seek TO know no more
about her. / look into her face-I hear
her voice; and both.of those being sweet, /
ask not the date on which that face first
gazed upon the light-that voice first made
itself heard-1 am contentto see her charm-
ing--to listen to her harmonious tones,
without f.azarding u single question fur
Their"
Squire tiatcnfe shrugged his shoulders,
and shook his head. Eyes, that's all very
fine, Captain" he said--"very fine, indeed;
but you will discover it to be a most UNI
satisfactory line o%fcondact, depend ont"
calculating man. Squire; besides, my
affection for Lady Dovetree is OF a nature
to confound all calculation"
"At present it may be so" vas the dry
reply. ~,
Aid what It is now, will remain, until
my heart is still and cold!"
"a rack OF Sentimental rubbish. Cap
tain! Your protcstations are mere breath;
and such Lady Dovetree will find them, il
she be weak and crazed enough to put
trust III them"
Captain Romily writhed; he thought the
Squire most insolent, and felt much in
clined to stranglc him.
l ENl ~ ~vn1ooI~l x1-S e11o~ vo,,}1ov,n~
with u grave. dir. Lady Dovetree is. 1
grant you a remarkably fine creature at
the present moment; but with q woman of
forty. beauty is fast waning; for every day
is adding a grey hairto her head. a wrinkle
on her brow, stealing away the bright
mes, on her cheeks lips, and eyes,
Captain Romiiy uttered a., an impatient
his hainas threw himself into a;chair. a..
Squire Gatcliffer looked at his compan-
ion with a satisfied smile. His words, he
tnhousht were not missing their mark.
officers Side and Continued. Suppose
now,.that you married a lovely girl of
twenty you yourself are thir-
ty.-whose charms, instead of being
on the daily wane, are only gradually rip
ening into the full perfection of wonanIy
beauty. Well; you reach your 1ortis.h
/ SUt SSONs avn az
richer in every feminine grace than when
YOU first did wed iher. You are fascinated
bY her still, and your happiness is without
alloy. You advance in years. so also does
she; but. her LEAVES are green and fresh-the
autumn blast has not yet withered them"
Romilly, starting up. despite all you
said, my love for Lady Dovetree remains
as firm US the rock of Gibraltar"
At this moment. a girlish voice made it.
self heard from without, and presently, .
fairy-like creatur trippedinto the room,
"Captain Romilly!" she exclaimed, in as
,topishment and joy. as it possible! Well,
this is q delicious surprised" she added,
running to him and familiarity shaking
both his hands.
Eyes, yes, I'm my fathers own daugh-
teri, she interrupted, nodding towards he
Squire, who was standing dumb with
amlazement at this unexpected recognition
between the fair Alice and the Captain.
You have met Mistress Alice Gatcl'ffe
before 1 preceive?" !.
ooh, YES, at the Elsingtons, scores Of
times, " stammered Captain Romilly, deep
ly coloring, as some recollectiOns OF the
past occurred toehim.
A CLEAN o%ftriumph shonein the Squire's
eyes. .Ah! SO you're old acquaintance,
= elI' ne S6lO, 0OuTeSStlk Illo Sdptdlus
lob, dear, yes, father! Captain Romil!y
and / are very old friends. He's Milly Ell
| sington's cousin"
TheSquire looked b%ewildered; he had
never. heard the.Captain mention the Ell
| singtons. and he was wondering why the
gentleman had been SO silent concerning
them. '.Egad, Captainl l must say that
| you have managed to keep The matter .
!. mighty secret from her ladyship and my
sell. Why. this r%eticence on your. part,
may / askf"
"Reticence. my dear. Squirrel" repeated
the officer, in. increasing embarrassment.
II really can't say. know dozen pretty
girls, Squire, but the mere TACT OF knowing
them does not compel me to talk
about them wherever I go. But 1.-THE
truth must !, I be uttered, I have been
90 happy. since. have been here
save Ravens Court and It's lovely mistress. =
And here Captain omilly paused, his face
crimson, and his tongue parss1hed; Hs was
) any othersuncomfortab!!e region. He had
i gone through q day Of intense, excitement,
and he was feeling anything but comfort
able Id his,mind after it all. He was, how
ever, greatly relieved by, the timely appear.
ance Of Lady Dovetree.
Well, day succeeded day; and although
no particular event had occurred at Ravens
| Court, q. cloud seemed to be hanging on the
facea ofitafoW inmates.
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