Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1905-04-24

"To say that I was shocked and
grieved is but poorly to describe the
disappointment and sorrow with which
I heard that he contemplated a step
which would eventually ruin his pros
poets and position in life, and not only
his future, but yours, my dear Miss
Dalton"
Now May looks up and speaks.
'Tt was very kind Of you to consider
me, Lady Letchford, she says, AMI
there is something in the tone of the
clear voice that brings the thin color
to the blanched cheek.
ct is true" she says, Il did con-
slider you. Of course, l thought of my
sons welfare first. 1t is naturally the
first consideration with me-his
mother But | thought of you and felt
sorry for you-that you should even
for a moment have been led to think
that such an engagement as that Of
your marriage with Sir Heron was
possible. But | do not wish to take
this tone, or TO look at the matter in
this sever way. l hope-I sincerely
hope that the quiet night has brought
reflection with it, and that you your.
self see how unwise-how impossible
such a match must be-"
A faint smile, half sad, half naive,
f1ickers on Mays lips.
81 was asleep all night" she says.
Lady Letchford's eyes glitter.
"Am I to understand that you in
tend to meet my natural and newt
able remonstrance with levity, Miss
Dalton?"
II did not mean to anger you, Lady
Letchford. Will you go on, please?
will promise to listen to you patient
ly."
Lady Letchford inclines her head
in stately acknowledgment.
THANK you," she says; Il trust we
may understand one another. Frank
ly, I should not have set out on this
unpleasant errand if 1 had not great
hopes of succeeding in convincing you.
I am quite sure that / have not to
address either a frivolous or a schem,
ing young lady
A hot flush rises to Mays cheeks,
and her eyes flash.
II say am quite sure of that.
have only to point out how unsuitable
this match would be, how surely it
would end in the unhappiness of both
of you, to gain your consent to the
breaking of this-this engagement, if
it can be called so. Miss Dalton, Sir
Heron is my only son; he is the heir
to one of the Oldest titles in this king.
dom; the Letchfords have held the
estates since Henry the Fourth. With
such a name and standing any man
might take foremost position; but
Sir Heron has other qualifications,
and his ultimate success as a states.
man is beyond question, unless he
should make some such false step as
the one which he now proposes to
take.
miss Dalton, he could find no surer
way of accomplishing his social ruin
than by an unfortunate marriage. l
have always looked forward to his
union with some one who should be at
least his equal in birth and station,
and who should be qualified to help,
him to the position in the country
which he is bound in honor to take.
Should he marry as his friends
would wish, there is no doubt of his
rising; but if, on the other hand, he is
led away by a transitory passion or
passing whim TO step beneath him,
he is lost! beg, implore you, to
consider this. If you refuse, then
must appeal to your own self-interest.
miss Dalton 1 have seen more of
the world than you have, and here
solemnly assure you that no unequal
marriage can end in happiness, either
for one or the other.
"And Heron All, you do not know
Heron! 1t grieves me, his mother, to
have to speak of his faults; but Sir
Heron has his faults. You know moth
ing of his past life, you know nothing
of his temperament and disposition,
you know, nothing absolutely nothing,
of his prejudices and sympathies, ano
yet you think that you can hold him
fast!"
Here her thin voice rises ana
trembles with earnestness.
"You cannot do it," she goes on,
her hand half appraised and quivering;
''you cannot do it! l, his mother,
know something of his disposition, and
I tell you that his great weakness is
that passion which holds him for the
moment, and which surely passes
away. If my son marries you, he will
grow tired of you in a month-stop!"
for May has risen, with white face and
flashing eyes; Il beg you will here me
out. He will tire of you in month;
he will go back to his old pursuits
and friends pursuits and friends
with whom you cannot sympathize or
associate-and you will rue the hour
in which you allowed him to deceive
yourself and him. Miss Dalton, I have
spoken plainly; but is it not best?
Think, 1 am mother, pleading for
the future of my son. Do not look re-
cnntfI11 Nov orjc0~ onA