Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1908-01-24
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Kin and Kind
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


appertaining to the dover house OF a
family so distinguished as the Mount
eneys, was laid out in the style popu-
larized by Dutch William, TO whose
favoritism the 18th Viscount Danger
hill owed the title of first Earl OF
Heathylees. The lawns were smooth
as the green cloth of card table; the
trees-box, yew and cypress-cut in
quaint shapes of crowns, of chessmen
and of birds that strutted and nested
and fought. Alongside each hedge ran
a bed of the richest soil; in spring
time this was vastly gay with tulips;
in summer sweet with roses, Glove
pinks, stocks love-in-the-mist.
The house itself was, to be sure.
scarce stately enough for one Of the
dowager countess's dignity; but she,
in spite of an early lifetime spent at
court, loved the hill country air and
loved also her position as mediatrix in
all village disputes. She had brought
her husband, the third earl, a fortune
large for those times; but he unluck-
Craze, and died at 45, leaving her
mother of five half-grown daughters
and an infant earl. On the coming OF
age of her son she had insisted upon
his marriage; and. not choosing TO
share a household empire with his
wife. had retired with dignified state
to the house that was hers by right.
Her female children had been disposed
of long before, and she had in the
course of time arranged with little
difficulty the comfortable settlement of
16 granddaughters.
At the present moment the dame
sat in a high-backed chair in her
Withdrawing room, perusing through a
quizzing glass letter which had just
been brought by special messenger
from her sons principal house, hun
dred miles nearer town. My lady was
smiling wickedly; her bright black
eyes sparkled both with temper and
mirth.
"Honored madam" the earl had
written. II trust and hope mat your
health is perfect. and that the heat OF
early summer hath not tried you over
much. My lady bids me assure you
that barberry leaves in connection are
a fine remedy for the weakness caused
by advancing years"
Here "honored MADAM" shook her
head and thanked heaven that in her.
self the family knew a wise person.
THE doltl" she muttered. my dolt
OF son. and but 49,"
But to business" she read, ''since
know of old that you detest beating
about the bush. In short-in short I'm
placing my fourth daughter, Elizabeth
(your own namesake) with you to be
taught proper conduct. She Is Is
years old and as unfilial child as was
ever reared. She has fallen in love
with neighbor of little fortune-a
likely enough fellow as far as other
things go-but quite out of the ques-
ton for my daughter. AS you're aware,
I have no dover to offer with her;
she hath no expectations from any
one. And | have received a most
handsome proposal from his lordship
the Marquis of Allithwaite, who is de-
sirous Of taking to wife some tender
soul as yet unspoiled by the world
When | introduced the matter to her
she proved-I blush to tell you-im-
pertinent and unreasonable In the ex-
IRENE, and absolutely refused to lis
Al no fnA
ence than have /; so am sending her
to you for you to practice your gener-
alship upon her-to bring her to rea-
son-to teach her the majesty of pa
ternal authority"
"Pshaw," exclaimed the lady. "And
all this shutting about green girl.
But Heathylees from his cradle ne'er
dared to grasp the nettle, And so my
granddaughter Elizabeth's a mink! It's
five years since / saw the wench, and
then she was but as other children. /
doubt even IL heard her speak a
dozen words beyond her respects"
You have my leave to do with her
what yon will" continued the letter.
THE task of breaking her spirit is,
I'll own. beyond me. and my wife
herselfs too plant. I'd have you point
out the marvellous advantage union
with Allithwaite win bring her. :.
In all likelihood she would attain to
the high Office OF mistress of the robes,
which is usually filed by the ladies
of that family. She bids fair to be a
beauty of the dark skinned type
somewhat like the ancient portrait OF
your revered self. which Kneller paint
ed in the days before you honored
my father with your hand. All my
other offspring are light of complex
ion, as you're aware"
Lady Heathylees glanced through
the rest of the letter, which contained
naught OF interest; then. ringing
silver handbell, she summoned Mrs.
Shellcock, her housekeeper, a dame
we'll nigh as old as herself.
AT your ladyship's service" said
the woman. curtesying low and stretch
ing the hem of her apron.
See that the yellow chamber is In
order, good Shellcock," said her mis-
tress. my son has written word that
Lady Elizabeth is on her way here"
Mrs. Shellcock nodded with re-
tainer's familiarity. 1T shall be done
at once, my lady" she said. And IL
I'm not making too free, I'd like to
say that I'm main glad. Lady Eliza