Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-11-11
LANCELOT HARDYNG'S PRIDE.

family pride. He traced his lineage
back to the Duke Of Monmouth's time.
1t cost hm no end of pain to do it; for
in the best preserved family histories
missing chapters occur. Now and then
a wayward ancestor will wander off and
disappear among the lost tribes of COM
mon mortals But, as the zoologist gath
erS together the scattered bones of an OBJ
solete animal, reproducing the missing
ones, and covering the whole with integ
uments to match, so the skilled genealo-
gist will collect the withered branches of
u family tree, filling in the lost twigs,
and crowning all with luxuriance Of
verduro, the product of his own fertile
fancy.
With world of labor, Lancelot llar-
dyinge brought order out of the chaos in
which he found tho family annals. BY
dnt of patching up flaw here, and put
ting in link there, the work was at last
completed. 1t was ono OF years, but one
of love; and Lancelot sat down n proud
and happy man when he ascertained that
the first of his name had been executed
over two hundred years ago, in the Duke
of Monmouth's time. Whether it was
for high treason or other genteel felony,
or some vulgar offence against the law,
was left in doubt, rs was the question
whether the hanged Ilardynge had fol-
| lowed cracking crowns in his gracc's SER
vice, or the more plobeian occupation of
backing ducal boots. But what matter
ed it? In pedigree, age is everything.
Lancelot llNrdynge was rich rs well MS
proud. Tho money had been made by
his father and grandfather IN the soap
and candle business. He sincerely wish
ed it had been otherwise, or, at least,
that the fact had been OF less modern
date. He might even have gloried in it
had it happened in the Duke of Mon
mouths time
Mr.. Hardynge had nephew, George,
adopted by him when left nm orphan,
whom he intended to make his heir, be-
ing himself bachelor and childess.
George llardynge was frank, good
natured youth, who cared more for Ma
~ Wilson's little finger then for the
Duke of Monmouth and all the llar-
dyngs ever hanged. In truth he had
taken the liberty to fall in love with
Mary, who was poor and pretty, but
could boast of no ancestors who had risen
30 distinction by performing on the gibbet
How to break the matter to his uncle
was n question which sorely puzzled
George. He and Dick Grindle, Mary'i
second cousin, had often in vain lnid thcil
heads together TO devise ways and means
A match for his nephew with maiden
without name or fortune, they knew was
about the last thing Lnncelot liardyngC
could ever be brought to think Of.
I've got it !" said Dick, ono day af
ter long discussion Of, the problem
which 50 long had balllcd their efforts.
"Out with it, for heavens sake =
cried George, springing up with all
lovers cagerncss.
But Dick shook his head and bade hi
friend have patience. Time would dis
close all, he said, and in spite ofimportu
nifty, he departed with his secret, leav
ing George to bear, MS best he might, thu
torture OF suspense.
With lofty dignity That Same after
nocn, Dick Grindlo introduced himsel
to Mr. IIardyngc in the latter's study
Dick looked naughty enough to have 4
dozen ancestors not only hanged bu
drawn and quartered.
81 have called on very unpleasant bus
iness," he said, with very stiff bow.
Pray proceed sir" returned the othe
with one still stiner.
"Your nephew, sir, has taken the liber
ty TO pay his addresses TO n lady relative o
mine, without consulting her connections
Now, whatever the young gentleman
deserts may be, our family must be per
mitted to decline alliance with any no
on an equal footing"
"Am TO understand" )" thundered Mr.
IIardyngo, purple with rage, "th"t ml
nephew is objected to on family
grounds %
81 trust further explanation is not ne
cessary," Dick replied, with touch o.
arrogance.
Bat ! tell you it is necessary" roar
ed the rate Lancelot, advancing and
shal.ing his fist. My nephew, trusI
has better blood in him than any that
ever flowed in the veins Of n Grrrndlc!
and he growled the name through hi
cleuched teeth, after di,dainfIl glance
at the visitors card, which he dung aside
contemptuously
"Hsying discharged my duty" Dick
reioined, with a still more freezing air,
- | trust you will endcavor to save II.
from further annoyance by interposing
your authority"
"To preyon. my nephew's marriage
with your relative ?" interrupted Mr.
Hardynge, ferceiy-" Pll do no such
thing 4! lie shall marry her forthwith, in
spite of her whole family, and call you t.
IA stern account besides Begone, sir !"
Dick obeyed with an aacrity not quite
COMFORTING with his previous dignity. II
was not till he got safe round the corner
that he dared give vent to the laughter
be was well nigh exploding with.
Mr.. Hardynge's passion was yet at
white heat when his nephew entered.
"There has been puppy here calling
himself Griudle !" he cried, as George
entered.
The latter was in dismay. Dick, by
some indiscretion, he feared, had ruined
all.