The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-05-05
CHAPTER TX.
THE ARDENT LOVER.


either at the tavern taking their morning
whet or at the coffee house in converse
ton or engaged in some of the sports t.
which most of them are so much addicted
Lord Fylingdale, although the streets a
such an hour are mostly deserted, had t.
cross the market place on his way to th'
captains house in Hogmans Lane. anC
was therefore carried in a chair with th'
curtains drawn, so as to avoid recogni
ton
lie was received by Captain Crowle IL
the parlor For the occasion the old mar
had put on his Sunday suit, with whit,
silk stockings. and he wore his sword. t.
which, as the former commander of
ship. he was entitled.
Il am come, captain, to receive in per
son your answer to the message conveyed
to you Yesterday by my ambassador.
hope that the message was delivered
faithfully and with due respect.
- believe. my lord. with both"
II assure you. CAPTAIN Crowle, that the
respect | have conceived for your charac-
ter and loyalty is more than can express
in words That you have inspired in the
mind of your ward similar virtues | do
not doubt, and this confidence, believe me,
has much to do with the offer of my hand
to that young lady.
Your lordship does me the greatest
honor. My answer is that l accept in
Molys name, and joyfully.
Il am delighted. This should be-" he
added. colby, the happiest day of my
life
When we spread the news abroad ev-
eiybody in Lynn will feel that the great
est honor has been done to the town, as
well as 10 this house
Sir, you overrate my position. Still.
however We must keep the matter secret
for a day or two yet ! engage you. cap
tain. to profound secrecy"
"As long as you please, my lord. The
sooner may speak Of it the better shall
like it. for ! am bursting with joy and
satisfaction
Patience, captain. for a day or two
The captain became serious. even mel
ancholy. You will take her away. sup
pose?"
Il fear l must. A married man gen
orally takes away his wife, does he not?"
You will take her to your country
house and to London. Well. ! am old. ]
am seventy-five already. I cannot expect
ever to see her again. Her mother, how
ever. is not so old by thirty years. Per-
haps your lordship will at some time or
other-we would not remind you of your
ladys humble folk-allow her, if she is
within an easy journey, to come here to
see her mother
Surely. surely, captain. Could ! be so
hard hearted as to refuse2 Her mother.
certainly. or yourself, but not any of her
old friends, not the friends of her child
hood. such as that young sailor man, nor
the girls of the place"
Il care not for them so that | may COM
fort her poor mother with that promise.
As for myself who am ! rnaI | should in
trudt upon her? Let me die happy in the
knowledge that she is happy"
size will be as happy as the day is
long. captain"
Il Doubt it net. As for Jack Pente-
crosse. an old playfellow, he is like me
He loves her as if she was his sister. but
he desires nothing but the knowledge of
the girls happiness
Il accept your assurance, captain, that
he will not endeavor to seek her or to
visit her"
He viii not My Iord"-the captain
became very serious-"I can promise you
dent and dutiful wife. She will ask
for nothing but a continuance of your
lordships affections and consideration, in
return for which she will be your will
Again. captain, ! doubt it not, else I
should not be here.
And when the day comes-when you
PASS the word, my lord-the bells shall
ring and the music shall play. and all
the town shall make holiday. and we
VIII have such a feast and merrymak
ing that all the country round shall
ring with it, Lord, | am so happy"
But. captain. l have not yet received
the consent of the lady"
BE assured that you VIII have it But
the girl is shy and hesitates, being. TO
say the truth. dazZled by the rank TO
which she is to be raised. A young maids
modesty will perhaps hinder such free
dom of speech as you would naturally
desire.
Il hope. sir. that / am able to appre-
ciate and value the virtue of modesty
All ] ask of the young lady is her con-
sent
OF that you may be assured before
''Then, captain, as this is an occasion
of some awlrwardness and one which It /
is well to get through as quickly as
possible'-did one ever hear of such a
lover2-'-well, 10 get through as quickly 1
as possible'-his first interview with |
his mistress-''you viii perhaps bring |
Miss Molly 10 me or take me to her"
Molly meanwhile was in her bedroom /
in a strange agitation. her color coming 1
ing and soinS-now pale, now blushing- |
for the first time in her life trembling |
and inclined TO swoon. Even for "A girl |
v no loves man 1t is an event of the |
greatest Importance and one never to /
be forgotten when she consents to make 1
him happy. But when she is in grievous /
doubt, torn by the consciousness that |
she does not love the man. that she is 1
afraid Of him, that she does not desire \
the change Of rank which he offers and /
That she would FAR rather remain among
her own 2eopie-in such case. ] say. her !
trouble is great indeed. However to do 4
honor 10 the occasion. she. like the cap
tain. had assumed her Sunday attire
q hf4 ffaga
as that in which she graced the assem-
bly,. but IL was passable. To my mind
she looked more beautiful than in that !
splendid dress
At her guardians summons she slow
~ descended the stairs. The kitchen
door was open. She looked in as she
passed Her mother. instead Of being
busy over her houseyffery was sitting |
eyes closed. her lips moving. She was
praying for her daughter. Molly stepped !
la and kissed her. Mother" she said /
pray that IT may turn out well / must /
accept him. Yet l doubt. Oh, pray for
me-.
Then Molly turned the handle of the
parlor door and entered
81 Miss Mollyi Her gallant lover |
splendid with his star and his fine clothes,
ouk her hand, bowed low and kissed her
fingers.
You would speak with me. my lord"
Yesterday / sent a message to your |
guardian. I told him by my messenger
hat was entirely overcome by the beau
y and the charms and the virtues of his
air ward, and ] offered, unworthy as /
an, my hand aud all that goes with it
NY rank and title, my possessions and
myself"
The captain told me of the message"
j have today received an answer from
aim But. although he is your guardian,
would not presume to consider that an
Is we'll"
My lord, am but humble and a