Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-12-23

at home. retailed all the news and
paid great attention to the girls, but
somehow he was not popular, and dl-
rectly the breakfast was over the
young ones scampered away, dragging
Stella with them, and Sir Richard ard
Mrs. Newton were left alone.
Then the willy man of the world
commenced the game which he felt so
sure Of winning.
Madam" he said, my note and
MY appearance which followed SO
soon afterward must have some
what surprised you"
"No-nOt at ALL simpered Mrs.
Newton; eat least we were delighted
to see you. So kind to make such
friends of US; and I am SO glad you
came. It would have been unbearably
miserable in the shooting box all
alone
Sir Richard bowed gratefully.
1T would indeed" he said "YOu
will be surprised perhaps to hear that
! had a distinct purpose in attending
upon you last night" he continued, IN
his soft, seductive voice.
Mrs. Newton smiled as amicably as
she could, and looked curious.
Indeed, Sir Richard?"
yes" he went on, IAN object very
near my heart. My dear Mrs. New
ton, I have fallen in love with your
daughter"
The worldly mother started, and
looked embarrassed.
1t was a great honor truly, for Sir
Richard was a baronet and wealthy
oh, no one knew how wealthy! But
then there was Lord Marmion!
Sir Richard smiled inwardIy. He
knew the very thoughts that were
fitting through her calculating brain,
and he was quite prepared for them.
81 loved her from the first moment
I saw her" he continued. And VINO
could help doing so? She is beautiful
and amiable. All, madam, [ am no boy
to whom the world and wOmankind
are d fairyland of impC ssibilitiesl l
am man of the world, and l have
learned by experience to recognize and
value so great a treasure as your
daughter. For years l have been seek
ing for the woman whom l could with
confidence make my wife. I have adj
mired many, respected a few, but l
never met the one I could love and
respect at the same time until saw
Miss Newton Can you be surprised,
madam, that |, a man of the world,
should feel doubtful of the passion
with which she inspired me? l am
determined to test it. Hitherto, | told
myself, you have but seen her at her
best, at balls and in public; go unex-
pectedly and see her at her home, in
the position which you would have her
fill for you. | came down uneXpect-
eddy, and 1 find her good, true, happy,
as child in the midst Of a happy cir
Gle of children, and, need I say, mad
am, that l love her more passionateIy
than ever?
Now" he continued, "a rash boy
would let his passion run away with
him, and disregarding the respect due
to you, my dear Mrs. Newton. would
present himself to Miss Newton and
declare his love. I come to you be-
fore l take that step, for two reasons:
first, because I think it is your due !;
secondly, because, thought would at
once without loss of time place you in
possession of my intention and hope.
IN disinclined to declare myself to
Miss Newton. You VIII see nv rea-
sons at glance. You will see why |
I'M unwilling to risk my all at so short
an acquaintance; we have known each
other so little; I have scarcely had
time to convince her of my devotion. I
come to you, my dear madam, to ask
YOU for your daughters hand at once,
and"-here he spoke more slowly and
eyed the worldly face with keen atten-
toni should have done it before,
hut I thought, I feared, that another
had prior claim to your considera-
ton"
Mrs. Newton started and turned to
him with a willy look
Il mean Lord Marmion." continued
Sir Richard. con Christmas eve
only l learned that l had erred. Lord
NarmiOn is engaged to marry his
cousin, the Lady Pauline; an engage
ment which has existed in form for
years. Directly I knew that I had de-
termined to lay my cause before you,
and-here l do so, waiting most anx-
iOusly for your answer"
Mrs. Newton's face was a study
Disappointment, chagrin and a CLEAN
of consolation struggled for the pre-
dominance.
At last she thought that half a loaf
was better than none; better baro-
net than no title at all, and, with
very good counterfeit of material emo
ton, she said, holding out her hand:
My dear Sir Richard. you have my
very best wishes for your success. MY
dear girl is all the world to NE, aud
I am naturally anxious about her fut-
ure, but if it lies in your hands can
feel quite secure"
Sir Richard took the thin hand and
raised it to his lips with a reverentiaI
which belied the sardonic grin
slittering in his eyes.
And so Stella was promised, and
Sir Richard, with perfect confidence,
only bided his time
CHAPTER XII.
A Servants Impudence.
Christmas is passed, but Christmas
81