The Raymer enterprise., 1912-02-29
Copyright by W. G. Chapman.)


that am being fitted by a man who
holds to be as good as I am and de-
mands the same respect. And when
l dine out, to know that the butler
who takes my hat is really my social
equal is most novel and fascinating,
you know"
"Ah, yes" said Mrs. Van Loo, with.
out enthusiasm. But among our best
people a different feeling is growing
up."
Don't say that, Mamma" cried Mu.
riel earnestly. Don't you recollect
that delicious French count last sea.
son who turned out to be butler in
disguise?"
Il remember the impudent fellow
WELL" returned her mother. HE &C.
tually dared to stay at our hotel, and
l must say his manners left nothing
to be desired. But butler"
Perhaps Mr.. ,Jocelyn, too, is mas.
querading,' said Muriel archly.
Lord Jocelyn placed his hand upon
his heart and bowed.
II pledge my honor" he said, that
! am not butler Indeed. it would
require attainments far greater than
my own"
20, Muriel," said her mother re.
proachfully> my daughter means"
she added, that you may be some
body greater than you acknowledge
a member OF the peerage, for exa.
mple."
She gave Lord Jocelyn SO penetrat.
ing a glance that for a moment he
felt convinced his secret was discoy.
cred. But Muriel, intent upon her
phase of the subject. turned the con.
versation most opportunely for him.
Well" she said, "if butler with
the perfect manners OF that French.
man were to save me from imminent
death-by drowning. for instance-I
would as willingly give him my hand
as II he were Duke"
"Muriel! My dear!" said her moth.
er, Mortified.
But hG sentiments were, in general,
those OF profound satisfaction. for
there was no doubt Lord Jocelyn wa
fairly captivated. That night he
dreamed Of Muriel, and also on the
next. These dreams were but the pale
reflection Of his thoughts by day. And
what with long. happy rambles and
moonlight walks, the subjugation OF
the young man become complete.
"Muriel,' said her mother, as the
second week drew toward close,
Lord Jocelyn" (for so she had come
to speak Of HIM 'has asked permis.
sion to call on us next month In Bos-
ton. Do you know, Murlel, that you
can win that young Englishnan II you
want to? And the rent roll is thirty
thousand pounds year-just fancy"
"lf marry, Mamma, II will be for
ioNN' hdiu MuileI.
"lf, indeed, he is n Lord" contin.
ued her mother. ignoring the answer.
II wish We could find out for sure.
I'm pretty well satisfied he Is, for he
knows all sorts OF people in England,
though why he should be masquerad.
ing here is more than | can tell.
shall ask him point blank when he
proposes for you"
For me?" cried her daughter lndig.
nantly.
Among the better class OF English.
men 1t is the invariable custom to
ask the mother for the daughters
hand" said Mrs. Van Loo.
But Muriel's thoughts ran along
quite different lines. There was no
doubt that she was sincerely In love
with Jocelyn. Whether he were
lord or not, she had pretty well made
up her mind to accept him. But his
proposal should come to her direct
and not through any Intermediary.
She puzzled over the problem OF ac-
compllshing this all night until she
fell asleep, and she awoke In the morn
ing with the germ OF the idea fully
matured.
Next to the promenade along the
shores OF Craigs Peak the pier Is,
perhaps, best known to visitors at that
summer resort. How many engage.
ments have been brought about at the
far end OF that imposing structure,
to the tune Of the waves and the
light Of the moon, 1t Is impossible to
say-space would not permit 1t. Ger.
tainly they have been numerous-and
Muriel knew that no place could be
better suited to her plans. The next
night was especially favorable, for a
high tide was washing the steep and
rocky shores Of the mountain. SO that
the pier was the only place for a
promenade, Thither, about eight in
the evening. the three repaired: Lord
Jocelyn and Muriel arm In arm, Mrs.
Van Loo waddlng comfortably behind.
at an interval Of about 200 feet.
As tn, couple approached the end OF
the pier Lord Jocelyn dared to take
Murlel's hand in his and press II gent.
ly. A slight but unmistaknble return
or the pressure from her slim fingers
convinced him that his passion was
a