A Daughter of Maryland — page 21: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

G A DAUGHTER OF MARYLAND. Lancier’s happiness lay in cantering over his broad domains on the back of his loved Oak, then young Robert was equally certain to find his supremest pleasure in a wild chase across the country with his tireless hounds upon the trail of a fugitive fox. As may be easily understood Sylvan Manor was noted for its hospitality, and its lord and master, if bluff and often severe in his speech, was universally liked. Robert, the son in name—nephew by kin, was less outspoken but if possible more set in his ways. One other member made up the household—a daughter, well worthy of the proud name of Lancier and that of her sainted mother, who had died when she was a child. _ Robbed of a mother’s gentle care, with a liberal allow- ance of her sterner parent’s self-willed nature, it was natural Aurian should have developed certain traits of her father’s dictatorial manner. But if inclined to rule rather than to obey, her government was tempered with such sweetness and grace of beauty that no one felt like rebelling against her power. Major Lancier was justly proud of his daughter,;-whom he was wont to declare possessed ‘‘just the right mixture of Lancier and Aurian, of storm and sun- shine, to make a perfect woman.’’ He believed it. What she did was right in his eyes, and she always did what she pleased, so the fact that she was not a spoiled child proves that she had a well-balanced mind as well as a loyal heart. It was the major’s pet scheme that Robert and Aurian should marry at the proper time. It would save a division of the old estate, which a Lancier always dreaded. But it must not be supposed that he had no higher motive. ‘‘I told sister Rosamond that Robert should be treated As a son by me, and so he shall be; but I cannot think of sacrificing Sylvania. I have it! He must marry my daughter, and there will be no need of having two fox-hunters where there is one. Demme! what am I saying? She is too good for him. And he—lucky dog!’’ ~ cS co n- EComicboo