Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-04-20

ITO say that was shocked ana
grieved is but poorly to describe the
disappointment and sorrow with which
heard that he contemplated 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.
"It was very kind of you to consider
me, Lady Letchford," she says, am
there is something in the tone Of the
clear voice that brings the thin color
to the blanched cheek
ut is true" she says, Il did con
slider you OF course. ! thought of my
sons welfare first. 1t is naturally the
first consideration with me-his
mother. But thought of You and fell
sorry for you--that you should even
for 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 sever way. | hope-l sincerely
hope that the quiet night has brought
reflection with it, and that you your
self see how unwise-how Impossible
such match must be-"
A faint smile, half sad, half naive,
fickers on Mays lips.
Il was asleep all night" she says.
Lady LetchfoTd's eyes glitter.
Am ! to understand that you in
tend to meet my natural and newt.
able remonstrance with levity, Miss
Dalton?"
u did not mean to anger YOU, Lady
Letchford. viii you go on, please? /
will promise TO listen to you patient
ly."
Lady Lctchford inclines her head
in stately acknowledgment.
Thank YOU she says; Il trust We
may understand one another. Frank
ly, | should not have set out on this
unpleasant eTrand II ! had not great
hopes of succeeding IN convincing you.
! am quite sure that | have not to
address either frivolous or a schem
ing young lady"
hot flush rises to Mays cheeks,
ana her eyes flash
II say | am quite sure of that. !
have only to point out how unsuitable
this match would be, how surely 1t
would end in the unhappiness OF both
of you, TO gain your consent to the
breaking Of this-this engagement, if
II 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 name and standing any man
might take a 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. /
have always looked forward to his
union with some one who should be at
iN"P' no 'hhhi III VI VI ubh HluNiVht
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 within to step beneath him,
he Is lost ! beg, ! inplore you, to
consider this. If you refuse, then
must appeal TO your own selfinterest.
Miss Dalton | have seen more OF
the world than YOU have, and here
soemnly 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 preiudices and sympathies, ano
yet YOU think that YOU can hold him
FAST"
16re her thin voice rises ana
trcmbles with ealnestnesa.
You cannot do III" she goes on,
her hand half appraised and quivering;
you cannot do it! |, his mother
know something of his disposition, and
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 viii
grow tired of YOU in month stop"
for May has risen, with white face and
flashing eyes; Il beg you viii here me
out, He will tire of YOU in a month:
he win go back to his old pursuits
and friends pursuits and friends
with whom YOU cannot sympathile or
associate-and you will rue the hour
in which you allowed him to deceive
yourself and him Miss Dalton, | have
spoken plainly; but is ii not best?
Think, | am mother pleading for
the future Of my son. DO not look re,