New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-07-19


first in the country, were great tempta-
tions. went; was treated by every one
as friend and visitor, and shared all their
invitations. Ny work was a sinecure, so l
kept nay hand in by prescribing for the
village, and aiding little the overwOrked
Union medical officer. AS for Gerald, he
was my constant companion, shooting and
riding, and filling up his working hours by
studying for his political career, for he was
no mere fdiRednt aspirsnt fer legislative
initials. You know what an intellect he
had.
One of Mrs. Stauncels oldest friends
was neighboring Mrs. Chetwynd, widow
of an Indian Major, who had left her with a
fair income and beautiful daughter. The
widow and her daughter were constant Wis
itors at Stauncel's In fact, they were on
the most intimate footing, and Miss Chef
wynd was "Lucy" to everybody Gerald
included) except myself She was a bril-
liant blonde, with very fair complexion,
deep blue eyes, and rosebud of mouth.
Tall, graceful, SHINY formed, and light in
all her movements, she was model OF
feminine vigorous grace.
The young lady was clever in her own
way. She drew well, talked French and
Italian well, and danced well, but she had
no taste for music or intellectual pursuits
therefore there was not much sympathy on
that point between her and Gerald.
Gerald grew, saw, fond of the young
beauty, and he was not the man to enter
halfheartedly on any cause. Ere long he
was evidently passionately fond of Lucy
Chetwynd. He told her so, and the girl
confessed penchdnt for him, for she was
fond of him-very few girls would not have
been so. And her mother, a thorough
woman of the world was alive to the eligi-
bility ofEMr. Stauncels eldest son-Mr.
Staunoel being a rich and long descended
landowner. Generally you do not find the
qualities united.
Lucy behaved very prettily. That's a
queer word, isn't it but it means Just what
think. pretty" her demeanor and man
ner and speeches to him were; glowing" l
never thought them. She was rather dis
trdite at times, when be used to try to make
her as enthusiastic as himself over Byron and
Edgar Poe, or ran on for an hour descant
ing on Mozarts sonatas. Music to him was
his life blood; with her it was only "pret-
ty" accomplishment. Still, to all appear
ance, they seemed to suit each other we'll.
But the engagement seemed only half one.
In the summer down came visitor. He
had been tuft at Christ Church in Gerald's
time, and an ally of his on the river. He
was handsome man. rather inSoucidnt in
manner, and stupid in his ideas, or lack of
them. But he was Raoul, fifth Viscount
Desserton, and owner of half a Welsh coun-
| ty. That fact his admirers never forgot,
and it threw haze of romance and intel
lect around him; end the Viscount never
| forgot it himself.
He seemed very much struck With Lucy
Chetwynd's beauty. Indeed, her tranquil
loneliness was eminently adapted to catch
admirers by coup Doll. And the young
lady, even while knowing Garalds fond
ness, and really fond of him herself, was
not indispOsed to receive peers glances
Of admiration. So matters went on for some
days.
| Mrs. Chetwynd was an old campaigner
| The glitter of coronet dazzled her, and
made her feel thankful that the engage
ment between her daughter and Stauncel
was only an embryo one. And she gave
her daughter sundry secret instructions.
don't think, looking back, that at first
Lucy Chetwynd had any intention OF jilting
Gerald; but the girls character was a
weak one, and her love of admiration had
been fostered from her childhood. So she
gradually listened more and more com
placently to Desserton's compliments, for q
season Of bitter dissipation at Paris had
taught him one accomplishment which was
his sole one-saying pretty things neatly
and as Gerald was away day after day OF
his electioneering business-poor fellow
he'd come in at night and tell Lucy biz
days adventures canvassing as if SHE
should share them-the peer had good
chance of making play. And he made it
The Squire and his son were too
thoroughly high bred to dream of treach
cry in a guest. Moreover, the generou
spirit of Gerald led him to trust forme
friend, and especially a university friend
implicitly; so he let the Viseount escor
Lucy hither and tither, with the full truth
fulness of confding nature. But whel
, those natures are deceived, their wrath
, terrible.
r at can fancy what an untamed lion Gel
( aid would have been,n said l.
: Eyes said Chasemore, :" you are right.
: After about three weeks, and durinl
( Gerald's absence, Lord DessertOn formal
2 proposed to and was accepted by Lnc
/ Chetwynd. The secret was kept well, an
? he having procured license, they wer
' married at church near the parish; the
f Lord and Lady Desserton went suddenl
n abroad, accompanied by Mrs. Chetwynd.
o The old squire's first intimation of th
9 news was a letter well and craftily write
n by Mrs. Chetwynd. 1t dwelt much upo
the incompatibility Of temper, ETC., of ht
y daughter and his son, and ended by ever
q wish for MIR. Gerald Staunoel's happines
d When Gerald returned, flushed with succe
# flor he was returned by majority, b
1t mother met him at the door, and teartull
e lovingly broke the news to him. He liste
d ed to her, and then rushed into the o.
n hall, where / was pacing up and dow
% sorely i'll at ease. His face was hushs
crimson, and his eyes glittered as you hay
d seen them once or twice when he was in
N fury. He seized my arm like vice, al
his working lips showed how the fer
g. wrath within ehoked his words.
"YouI heard the news, Chasemore,n
e, said at last. "You know he's robbed u
It, of Lucy. Smooth-tongued, lying, treaehe
at GUS cur. Curse him he's taken advantaI
Of my miserable weakness and blighted n
n life.n
ts "Hush, Gerald" said I, the servants
E. had no need to say more the pride
II race was more potent than even love
re hate. He bit his lip till it bled, and
anguished face settled into stern calm.
er g You are right" he murmuIed 'h
re if live I'll be revenged. All" and
a. voice broke, my lost loveW ~
n. After this he grew calm and never spo
SO of the matter. Days, weeks, and mont
= passed on, and though Lord DessertoI
to name brought the mad fury into his ey
Il q r II ~