Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-12-22
IN f A TU A TION;
OR, THE FORGED CHEQUR.
ADELA CHENEYIX.
CHAPTER
ADELA CHENEyIX.

The merchant took the Countess into dinner,
and sat on her right hand Lady Grace was
next him on the other side. Unusually sgreea.
Bile he was that day, his intercourse with them
moEs cordial than It had ever been, the little
courtesles Of the table rendered with greater
freedom; for Mr.. Grubb now believed there
would be no bar thrown in the way OF his win
ming the Lady Adela. lie had long admired
her above all women, he had leng loved her,
aud the glow of happiness sealed this evening
in his hear, difiused itself to his manners. He
saw no reason why any bar should be thrown;
what inoompatibiity ought to exist between the
portioncss daughter of a ruined peer and a
merchant of high character and standing, and
next to unlimited wealth. The ruined peer.
however had he heard this argument mig
have SAID the merchant reasoned but in accord
ance with his merchant origin; that he could
not expect to understand distinctions which
were above him.
The Countess Of Oakton rose from the table
early. She had been making up her mind to
the match, during dinner; like her husband, she
discovered, on reflection, its numerous advanta.
ges, and she was impatient to disclose the mat.
ter to Lady Grace Mr.. Grubb walked to the
door, and held it open as they filed out, for
which the Countess thanked him by bow more
cordial than she had ever bestowed on him in
her life 1t was the month Of September-
| "Engagements"-he did not say of what MATURE
| had prolonged the earl's stay in town, though
| the season had long concluded, and the girl
gathered around the autumn fire 10 the draw
| ingroom, aud prepared themselves for a stupit
evening Lady Adela sank in an easy chair
and took up book listlessy. She rarely seem
| ed ia spirits never in high ones. Two year
previously, an attachment had been formed bet
| ween her and young officer in the guards
She had loved wildly, ferveDtly, but he was
portonlcss younger, son and the barrier of effec
ual aud hopeless separation was imposed upoI
them, he being made to exchange into a Tegi
ment serving in Indie Since them her spirit
had been most unequal.
''How much longer are We going TO stay il
this wretched London, when everybody else i
going out ofit!'' querulously asked Lady Mar,
the second deughler
"Oh, papa never does anything like any on,
else," retorted her sister Grace. when olhe
people come to town we are kept prisoners il
the country, and when they are in the country
we are sure to be in town"
at is pity, girls, that you have not GO
husbands 10 cater for you as you are sick O
your fathers rule, :" observed the countess, look
ing at her two eldest daughters; and both tn
ladies slightly frowned, for the point was a sOr
one.
ait is Graces turn first, said Lady Harriet
at she would go off the rest of us migt
60 One wedding in family always leads
more"
al should like to see Grace we'll settled" re
sumed Lady Oakton with a fine estatG
where We could go and visit her, and mic
town mansion, end splendid incou TO suPpol
it all"
"Aud herd of deer, and pack of hounds
and the crown diamonds" interrupted Lad
Adela, with irony in her tone, and a spice
scOrn in her eye, as she glanced up from he
book. Don't you wish you had Aladdin
lampl 1t might come to pass then"
"But if | tell you that il will como TO pas
without it," said the countess, THAT il has com
to pass, what you'd you sayl Look up, Gract
my dear; there's luck in store for you yet"
Their mothers manner ) as so pointedly Gig
nifcant that they were all silent in amazemen
Tho color amounted TO the checks Of Lad
Grace. and her lips parted; could it be thl
she was no longer going to be Lady Grac
CheRepiIi
"Ias Grace got an ofIerp inquired Lad
Harriet, breathlessly.
''Yes, she has, and you need not all look
incredulous Itis good one, too, plenty
substance about it. She will abound in sue
wealth that she'll he the envy Of all the CIR
ia London, and OF you four in particular. She
have, as | limited Just now, her town and coun
try mansions, crowds of servants, dresses
WILL everything, in sholt that money can pu
chase F"
"Of course, there are some Disadvantages q
tending the proposed MATCH" deprecated th
countess, no merIiage is without them, on son
point OF other. Grace will have, in hers, evel
real aud substantial advantage bat the geI
tleman. in birth and position, is--rather ol
Ecure."
. Good Heavens, mama!" interrupted Lac
Grace. what do yon meant"
pray do not make any further myster
madam" ," said Lady Mary. VINO is it that III
fallen in love with GraeeW
''Mr Grubb"
"Mr-Grubbl" was echoed by the your
ladies', Ia every variety of astonishment, an
LAZY Grace thought that Of all the men in Il
I world she would have guessed hil last, b
she did not say 3d. She was of cautions n
turo, and rarely spoke ON impulse
The silence of surprise was broken by rin
ing laugh from Lady Adela, one lsuRh follow
upon another. IL seemed as il she could n
stop herself When had they seen Adela
merry
IL cannot help it," she said, apologetical
''but it did strike me sounding so absurd.
"LAdy Grace GrubbP Forgive me, Graeio "
on pTER IT