The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-28

But Willoughby was not the only guest of Sir John who fel lin love with the be- witching and sensitive Marianne. There was Colonel Brandon. who, in a rather solemn and ponderous way, paid his de- votions at the shrine of Sensibility. For the Colonel Marianne had only tolera- tion-for willoughby she felt a strong passion
 As for Elinor there was something about the cold, hard common sense of Colonel Brandon which appealed to her. She saw where his heart lay and was really de- sirous that Marianne should settle her af- fections upon so worthy an object. In conversing with EIinor the colonel found the greatest consolation for the utter in difference of her sister, Elinor, in speak, ing with the colonel with regard to Mari anne one day, remarked:
 "A few years will settle her opinions | on the reasonable basis of common sense and observation. And then they may be more easy to define and to
 justify than they are now by anybody 1 but herself" That will probably be
 the case" returned the colonel, "and
 yet there is something so amiable in
 the prejudices of young mind that
 one Is sorry to see them give way to
 the reception of more general opinions"
 T can not agree with you there" an- | swered Elinor. There Is an incon-
 venience attending such feelings as Marianne's which all the charms of en- thusfasm and ignorance of the world cannot atone for"
 While these two superior persons dis cussed them Marianne and Willoughby were taking long walks and longer rides together and apparently prosper ing very well. Then one day at dinner at the Park, where they were all as- sembled, Colonel Brandon was handed letter which caused him to look ex- ceedingly grave. to leave the table and soon after the house. announcing that he was called with all haste to London on most important business. The next day Willoughby also left Barton after taking a tender farewell of Marianne. I Of course the girl was inconsolable and was sustained only by the hope and belief that Willoughby would as he had promised, return to her within few days.
 The loss of the society of the colonel and of Willoughby at Barton was hard | ly compensated for by the appearance | of Mrs. Jennings and her other we'll married daughter, Mrs. Palmer, who, by the way. brought along her hus- | at ,,of those dear people at the cottage" and
 took her husband along with her to
 see them. What a delightful room
 this is," cried Mrs. Palmer as she en-
 tered the parlor of the cottage, with her husband in tow, what a sweet place How l should like such a place for myself. Should not you, MT Palmer?" MT Palmer had seated him. l self at a table and taken up a news paper which he appeared to be reading He made his wife no answer. MT. Palmer does not hear me-he never does sometimes; is not he droll?" cried the lively Mrs. Palmer with a merry laugh. MT. Palmer, after considera- room critically, and said with a vexed air that "the ceiling was confoundly low" and gave vent to a few other polite remarks. MT. Palmer is so droll," laughed his wife, always out of humor" Mrs. Jennings thought that she had discovered in Colonel Brandon a very decided liking for Marianne, and made up her mind to marry that young lady and the colonel in spite of the fact, patent to most everybody, that Mari anne was in love with Milloughby.
 Mrs. Eastwood also was rather in fa- vor of the colonel as suitor for Mari anne. Marry the colonel, indeed!" cried Marianne when the subject was men toned to her. Why, he is old enough to be my father. If he ever were animated enough to love he must have long out | lived every sensation of the kind" (The colonel was of the venerable age of 35.
 but Marianne was IT and naturally looked upon him as vastly aged)
 The absence of Willoughby was borne
 by Marianne with considerable fortitude,
 though 1t seemed that 1t was the con stant expectation of seeing him ride up | to the door again or of receiving let | ters from him which buoyed her up.
 That he was constant in his affections | she did not doubt, and explained his ab-
 sence and his silence in a thousand in- genious ways.
 While matters were in this condition there came to Barton cottage a visitor whose presence gave great pleasure to | Elinor-Edward Ferras, the younger
 brother of Mrs. John Eastwood. He had been, he said, for a week in Devonshire l staying with some friends near Ply mouth. "A fortnight" cried the i'm pulsive MaNanne "A fortnight in the same county with Elinor and not able to