The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-09-05
Mildred 80
* 6reuqnion

BY THE DUCHESS.


covered his freedom, 81 have just been
with Sir George, Lady Caroline, and
he tells me you are determined to mar
ry off ali your family at once, like a
sensible mother"
II don't know about that" returned
Lady Caroline, laughing. zone at
time, If you please, will suit us we'll
enough. We do not want to be left
without any solace in our old age. But
you mean Charlie and Frances, I sup
pose?"
eyes," said he. "they have come to
proper understanding at last hear"
81 think they came to that before
Christmas" observed Lady Carolina;
"but the question of late has been
when to name the wedding day.
Frances was very refractory in the be-
ginning, but at last she has given in,
and 1t is actually arranged to take
place on the thirteenth of next month;
always provided the day is fine-as she
says nothing on earth would induce
her to be married in rain"
Old Dick laughed.
"She has been such spoiled pet all
her life" he commented, that l think
she will give Charlie something to do
to manage her."
II agree with you," said Lady Caro-
line; "but she is such dear girl with
it all that one can not help loving
her and forgiving her the very trifling
faults she possesses
"And then true love is such a
smoother of all difficulties" put in
Mrs. Younge, softly, raising her eyes
from her knitting.
eft is time for us to be thinking of
wedding presents" said Denzil. 81
wonder what she would like, Lady
Caroline"
well, hardly know" answered
her ladyship; "but can easily find out
by putting a few adroit questions. l
suppose jewelry is about the best thing
a young man can Offer"
"And how about Mabels AFFAIR.""
asked Blount.
ooh, the child!" cried Lady Caro-
line-"surely she can afford to wait;
eAhN, OCoAACo, olC AhuoI, SCOl sc Ids
decided nothing must be said about it
until Roy is in a better position"
II have just been talking to Sir
George about that" said old Blount;
"and l think it a pity the young peo-
pie should be signing for each other
when they might be together. am
an old man now, with more money
than I know how to spend; so have
decided that they shall have half, and
set up housekeeping without further
lay"
my dear Richard" cried Lady Car
oline, greatly touched, "this is too gen
erous Why should they not wait?
Why should you deprive yourself of
anything at your years?"
"My dear creature" returned old
Blount, II am not thinking of doing
anything of the kind. am far too
selfish to deprive myself of any lux
uries to which have been accustomed.
But l literally can not get rid of the
money; so they may just as well have
it as let it be idle"
There never was anybody like YOU.
Dick" said Lady Caroline, with tears
in her eyes.
Except Sir George" returned old
Blount. mischievously, at which they
all laughed.
"And still we have Mildred to dis
pose of" he said presently, with a side.
glance at Denzil who gazed stolidly
out of the window
Dear. dear-will you leave me no
daughter?" expostulated Lady Caro-
line; and Mrs. Younge, who had grown
very intimate with them all DURING
her sons illness, looked UP plaintiye.
ly to say:
There is really no understanding
young people in these days. Now how
she could object to that nice Lord
Lyndon is beyond my comprehension
quite. He seemed in every way so
suited to her."
"And he seemed to me in every way
unsuited to her." put in Denzil, i'm
pulsively and rather Grossly.
did he indeed, my dear?" said his
mother, with mild surprise. well, see
how differently people Judge"
Differently, indeed" conceded old
Blount. "And now tell us, Denzil,
what sort of a person do you think
would make her hapDy?"
There was a sly laugh in the old
mans eyes as he asked the question,
and Denzil, looking up, caught it; SO
that presently he laughed too, though
rather against his will.
(To be continued)