Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-03-29
BY MRS. ALEXANDER.


Marling was very well off bachelor,
much given to the good things of this
life and Blount's special friend.
Down there" indicated a picturesque
old place called Marley Grange, near
Maidenhead, at present tenanted by a
charming widow, whose charms were
enhanced by the possession of an in
come which enabled her to rent such a
residence. Here she gave delightful
Friday to Monday" parties, invita-
tons to which people fished for eagerly.
Gwendoline Eastwood was the
daughter of Mr.. Ardel's deceased
wife's sister, his ward, and the mistress
of his house. Blount rather imagined
his uncle wished to make match be-
tween his nephew and niece, and was
quite sure of his own wishes on the
subject; for Gwen Eastwood was a
bright, attractive brunette, with big,
brown eyes that could say great deal
and he paid assiduous court to the
young lady.
"Were you asked?" continued Blount.
"Lord, no! I'm not at all up to the
mark of Mrs. Cholmondely Morton's
parties, not elegant enough by long
chalks."
"Better ask you than that beast Ev.
erard. l hate the fellow"
"Blount, you're fool"
"No more than my neighbors."
"Rather less, in a general way; but
you are fool about that cousin OF
yours"
"She isn't cousin; she is no relation
at all"
well, whether she is or not, you'll
lose your game if you lose your bal
ance about ner. From what l have
seen, am inclined to think you stand
very well with her, and Everard is
much too grim and sour and black
proved to be a dangerous rival. Be-
sides, that Indian forestry appointment
of his is no great thing. And then
Miss Eastwood is not the girl to think
of a man who is obliged to live in the
wilds."
"Tm not SO sure, Marling. Everard
has an Internal cool air of command
and superiority that imposes on women,
and Gwen has a dash of roman in her
fancy she thinks or suspects that
am what she would call low-minded'
because have the sense to have an eye
to the main chance; but 1 flatter my
self I've been making way with her
lately. There's nothing goes down
with that sort of girl like an air OF
being hopelessly gone upon'her, and, in
fact, | am-rather! It's such uncommon
luck to have fancy for the right
young woman"
SIS she the right one?'
"She is. You see my uncle is deuced
fond of her, and pretty sure to leave
her the bigger half of his worldly
goods, though he likes me, but If we
marry, we'll have the whole"
Admirable reasoning! But If you
are making way, you may snap your
fingers at Everard."
II don't know. got away early las,
week and found him at tea with Gwen
tete-a-tete - and after Sitting out
vith hin for an hour in the conserva-
tory at Lady Dalrymple's ball, when /
went to claim my waltz, he said, as she
took my arm: You must be sure TO
write at once, remember in dicta-
torial tone, as if she were his wife, by
Jove."
Narling laughed. "Well, know he
isn't one of the Grange party"
"How?" calculated Blount.
Instead of replying, Marling rum
mayed among some papers which lay
in a square wicker receptacle on his
knee-bo table, and tossed over note
to his guest. 1t was dated the previous
SATURDAY. from the EAST India CLUB,
and ran thus:
"DEAR MARL1NG: am not going down 70
the Grange, neverth eless, cannot Keep my
onpoiutment on Monday. 1 have other ana
better fish to fry, and am obliged to run over
to the continent on Monday n ht- SHAH writt
when know time Of my return. Yours truly
HUGH EvERARD."
"Ah. then he could not have gone &c
Mrs. Morton's," said Blount, with 9
sigh of relief. II can't think no"
Gwen puts up with his overbearmG
swagger."
"Come now, Blount, ne ooesn s""s
ger" :, :,
ST suppose Gwen will be home .
dinner at seven. think III 60 ant
dine with my uncle in case he feels
lonely. He was not at the office to-day,
and I'm not supposed to know that ms
darling will return to cheer him.
prudent young chap, You are' TO
on and prosper, Blount, my boy. :.
The aspiring young lawyer carried
out his intention and presented him-
self to his uncle few minutes before
seven in accurate evening dress q
dainty flower in his buttonhole and a
smile upon his lips. Altogether a
handsome, gentleman-like looking
young fellow. and steady, decidedly
steady, thought Mr.. Ardell. who was
spelling oyer. an evening = paper