Waterbury Democrat., 1901-11-30

ment of Ditchley would be considered by you as sufficient"
 The bishop had been looking at the curate with increased respect all this time. Being comparatively stranger in the diocese he knew very little of Lord Cuddesly's character or senti- ments.
 My dear young friend,'' he began, with his most paternal smile, you can understand that while the ques- ton of standing in the diocese and that of ways and means are not uniIn- portant, they are, after all only sec ondary considerations. My dear daughters happiness is of the first importance with me. And if you win her consent, you shall have mine, so far as you are personally concerned Then, as to the ways and means, Ditchs ley is not a very rich living; and l understand you have no private in- come. Still, it might be sufficient By the way, Lord Cuddesly's solicitor was speaking to me about Ditchley. Several names we're mentioned, but yours was not among fhern.''
 s.I think Mir. Debray had not seen his father on the subject at that time, : said the curate with some modest con- fusion.
 ..Probaly not. Well, now you know my views. But remember, there must not be a word of this to Ernesta till the matter is positively settled"
 The curate gave the required assur- ance, and with respectful yet dignified |, hiS way.
 Next day Mr. D'Oyley betook himself to Lord Cuddesly's seat, Neddiston Park. Before going up to the great mans door, however, he looked in at the vicarage, hoping to pick up there some scraps of useful information, and above all hoping to hear of some thing that might serve as an excuse for calling on his lordship.
 The vicar turned out to be good, easy going, loquaeious sort Of man. He had no very high idea of Lord Cud- desly, who, he said, seemed to have but one object in life the passing of the deceased@ wife's sister bill.
 Mir. D,Oyley went up to the great house, and by the help of liberal bribes succeeded in getting shown into Lord Cuddesly's presence.
 ..I believe, my lord,' began the curate, '.that you are patron of the living of Ditchley.''
 ssWell, what of that? You haven't come to ask for it, have you? For, if you have, you won't get it.''
 Perhaps your lordship would kind- ly hear me for one moment.
 "I don't know your name even. Who are you?"
 Perhaps I had best describe myself as the son-in-law of the bishop of Brampton."
 What The bishops son-in-law! I didn't know he had another daugh- ter. Why, how many has he alto gether?''
 Five, my lord; but the marriage has not taken place yet
 .sOh, I see! Son-in-law elect; and the bishop doesn't like to give you a x living himself. Is that about it, eh?"
 Mr D'Oyley smiled respectfully, and looked down.
 Well, don't know that I have any reason for going out of my way to oblige the bishop
 Ut is hardly going out of your way, my lord suggested the curate- Ut is as easy for your Iordship to present one name to the bishop as another
 II know that we'll enough. But the bishop---he has vote i'll the honse, hasn't he?"
 .Certainly, my lord; and if I may say so without offense, am certain that mere ordinary feelings of grati- tude for so marked a favor bestowed on one of his family would constrain the bishop not to oppose your lord ship on any public occasion"
 '''Hum, That's true. Couldn't ask for a promise, of course. You're to marry his daughter, are you?"
 II hope so, my lord. That is, the particular time of the marriage de- pends on whether I am presented to the Ditchley living or not"
 You couldn't marry without liv- ing feh?''
 Frankly. my lord, we could not"
 Lord Cuddesly pondered for a mo- ment or two.
 By the way, Simmons, my lawyer and man of business, had a talk with
 
 your father-in-law ill posse about this very subject. only q day or two ago. Your name wasn't mentioned at all. 7
 .'Of course not, my lord. The bishop could hardly put forward claim on behalf of one of his own family through an intermediary, too.'
 No; I suppose not. You can tell your future fatherin-law this, how eger-that when the deceased wife's sister bill comes on, I'll be glad of his vote---or if he can't vote for it, he can have bad cold, and stop away from the house.
 From this day Mir. D'Oyley under stood that his diplomacy had gained the day. And to the surprise of every body, the .curaIe of Market Dedham became at one and the same time the husband of Miss Ernesta Smiles and the rector of Ditchley.
 His great aim at present is to pre- vent his patron and his father-in-law from meeting, and asking each other undesirable questions.-Town and Country.