Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-03-08

try. 1t positively thrills me when | go
into my tailor's, for example, to feel
that I am being fitted by a man who
holds to be as good as / am and de-
mands the same respect. And when
| 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 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 ac-
tually dared to stay at our hotel, and
/ 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.
Il pledge my honor" he said, that
| am not butler Indeed, it would
require attachments far greater than
my own"
20, Muricl," 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 moment he
felt convinced his secret was discov-
cred. But Muriel, intent upon her
phase of the subject, turned the con-
yersation most OPPORTUNITY 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 if he were Duke
'sMuriel. My deari" said her moth
er, Mortified
But her sentiments were, in general,
those of profound satisfaction, for
there was no doubt Lord Joeelyn was
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" tf0r so she had come
to speak of him) has asked permits
sion to call on us next month in Bos-
ton. Do you know. Muriel, that you
can win that young Englishman if you
want to? And the rent roll is thirty
thousand pounds year-just fancy"
IF / marry, Mamma, it will be for
love-" said Murie1.
IF, indeed, he is a 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 I can tell. l
shall ask him point blank when he
proposes for you"
For me?" cried her daughter indig-
nantly.
Among the better class of English
men it is the invariable custom to
ask the mother for the daughters
hand" said Mrs. Van Loo.
But Muriefs thoughts ran along
quite different lines. There was no
doubt that she was sincerely in love
with Jocelyn. Whether he were a.
lord or not, she had pretty we'll 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-
complishing 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, it is impossible to
say-space would not permit it. 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
high tide was washing the steep and
rocky shores of the mountain, so that
the pier was the only place for
promenade. Thither, about eight in
the evening, the three repaired; Lord
Jocelyn and Muriel arm in arm, Mrs.
Van Loo waddling comfortably behind,
at an interval of about 200 feet.
AS the couple approached the end of
the pier Lord Jocelyn dared to take
Muriels hand in his and press it gent
". II slight but unmigtakable return