The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-10-16

You know" said her mistress piousIy,
that 1 had to spend my evening by
the side of a e sick friend"
"WelI, ma'am," said the maid, 1.-The
talk is all about your own marriage
with the young Lord Verney."
Mercy, girl" cried the lady, with a
little scream, you needn't hit my head
so hard with those b~ristles. What's
taken you2 And what do people think
of that?'
why, ma'am,'' said the abigail,
welding her brush more tenderly and
permitting her irritation to betray it
self only in the sharp snap of her
voice, my Lord Nerney's man says he
pities any n that will have to go and
live with her old la'ship at Verney
Hall"
"Ha" said Kitty, and gave herself a
congratulatory smile in the hand glass.
and Mr.. Burrell, ma'am-that Lady
Maria Prideaux's butler, and a wise
old gentleman he is-he says the mar
riage IL never take place, ma'am, for
neither his own la'ship nor the lady at
Verney Hall would allow of it, ma'am."
"Oh, indeed?" cried Mistress Bellairs,
stiffening herself. That's all they
know about it, Lydia, you u%ntruthful,
impertinent girl, how dare you tell me
such a story?"
I'm sure l beg your pardon, ma'am,"
said Lydia, shifting. I'm sure / up
and told Mr.. Burrell that if you'd set
your heart on wedding such a poor
ninny as Lord Verney-I beg pardon,
ma'am; I'm sure he'll be a very nice
younO nohlonaan vrhor hic hoor1 Ho
gins to grow-twas not likely a leaf
old cat like his mistress could prevent
him. And 1 told Lord Verney's man,
ma'am-and an impudent fellow he is
that you'd soon teach the dowager her
place once you were mistress in Yer
ney Hail."
well, WE'LL" said the lady, Modified,
land what says the rest of your Bath
acquaintance?'
Squire jumpers head coachman
a his master III drink himself to
death, as sure as eggs, on the day that
sees you another's, ma'am. He's been
taking on terrible with madeira ever
since he's heard the news. And the
marquis running footman, he says,
That Lady F1yte III have it all her own
way with his lordship now. and more's
the pity, for says he. her la'ship's not
fit to hold a candle to the widow Ex-
the language, he knows no bet
ter: his strength is mostly in his legs.
And Mr.. Stafford's jockey
ma'am, that in his opinion your,
a lady as will never be drove again IN
double harness."
did he say SO. indeed" said Mis-
tress Bellairs re1ectively. We'll, my
good creature, and what say you?"
Lar said the maid. and the brush
trembled over her mistress curls. 81
say, ma'am, that if you was to make
such a sacrifice, you so young n
lovely and SO much admired l humbly
hopes you might pick out some n
than my Lord Verney."
"Now. whom" said Mistress Bellairs,
in a tone of good humored banter,
would you choose. l wonder? What
you say to the marquis, Lydia?'
"Oh, ma'am. His lordship is a real
nobieman-as the prize fighters all say
Il better Judge in the cockpit, Mr..
Bantam, the trainer, say never
breathed, drunk or sober; and nc doubt
when he's sober. ma'an. he'd maxi as
good a husband as most"
We'll, well, girl. enough of him.
What of Mr.. Stafford, now?'
"Oh, Mr.. Stafford, ma'am, that's a
.omely gentleman; not one bit of pad
ling under lis stockings and an eye
wheedle the very heart out of
one's bosom. He is a Very constant
said Miss Lydia, with a
suspicion of spite.
Pooh" cried the lady. and pushed
Ter chair away from the fire, what
nonsense you do talk, And pray what
kinks your wisdom of Mr.. O'Hara?"
"Lud, ma'am," cried the guileless
maiden. that's the gentleman as was
found behind Lady Standish's cur
If you We're not a perfect idiot"
,ried the widow, you would not re-
peat that absurd tale. much less expect
to believ it. Mr.. O'Hara has new
r even spoken to Lady Standish.'
h unusual warmth in her mis-
ress' tone struck the girls sharp wits.
glanced quickly at the lady's re-
lection in the glass and made no reply.
Come" said Mistress Bellairs,
what else have you against him? Is
he not handsome, child:'
Why, ma'am, handsome enough for
'uch as like red hair
And merry and good company"
"Oh. ma'am; none better, as half the
ogues in Bath know
'Tush. You mean he is good natur-
ID, 1 suppose?'
He never said mo- in his life,
na'am, 1 DO believe, to man or wo-
nam
Well. then?" cried her mistress test
~.
And generous" gabbled Lydia,
by the cloud she beheld gath
ring on he brow reflected in the
lass; open handed. ma'am Mr.. Ma
loney. thai queer. peculiar servant Of
us. many a time he's told me. ma'am.
hat his only way to keep his wages
or himself-and seldom he sees the
light of them-is to spend them at
nee, for his good master is that free.l
anded. ma'am. he'd give the coat of
is servants back"