The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-06-18

had received her letter and telt relieved
that the affair ended with so little
EtrOuble to him. or Kate's sutferings he
would not allow himself to think, and
her memory was soon buried with many
fothers' loves Of the past.
During these seveP years he had in
heFited great, wealth from an aunt, had
settled in London, and become
thoroughly dissipated man OF the world.
His friends doubted his capacity for a
real, pure, honorable love, and he
agreed with them. That sort OF thing
was too hum-drum and prosyi for him,
said. And so opposed was he to
matrlmony, that he Wagered hall his
fortune that lie would never enter into
it.
just about this time Miss Kingford, a
beautiful heiress, m lde her appearance
in society, turning all the male heads,
old and young. Her beauty of form and
face, and her fascinating powers 0tcon-
versation, were peerless. William
threw himself. at her feet at once, and,
to the astonisnment of all, became the
most ardent suitor for her hand; and,
AS people said, thoroughly In earnest Tor
| the first time in his lille. Among MISS
Kingford's suitors also was the gentle
man to whom William had staked the
half of his fortune in the event oil his
marriage. So enraged was this man at
! her preference for William, that he
swore TO hold him to his wager. I'm
daunted by this, William eagerly
pressed his suit, and was accepted.
1t was new kind 0t happiness TO
William, and one that he once thought
never existed, to feel that being bound
to this woman for Lille would be heaven.
1t was arranged that MISS hlngloru
should proceed ~ France, where she
had relatives, and that William should
follow; Almost Immediately Oh MS arrI-
val they shou d be married.
William followed his betr0thed to a
little town in the North of France,
where, she informed him, the friends re-
sided aL whose house the wedding was
TO take place.
On arriving at-his hotel he found let.
ters awaiting him, directing him 10 come
at once to the chateau vi the Count Ut
Chantry. Eager to clasp his bride in
his arms he fastened thlther. He was
ushereu into aspacious saloon, the mag
ulticence OF which astonlsned even b IN
| accustomed as he was to luxury. In u
moment the object of his visit entered,
dressed in IA Queenly style OF spIendor, ID
circlet OF diamonds adornlng ner stately
mead.
William started forward to greet hel
as she swept Into the room, but She
naug ItIly motioned him back.
| I'VE will make our interview brie1
one," she said, ''as my husband awaits
me.'
William gazed at her, as ii doubling
| her sanity.
"YOur husbandw he exclaimed
hoarsely, the veins in his ,toreuead
standing out like cords. "Wno are you
| LhenH'
"Tne Countess de Chantry," she said
bOwlng profoundly. "Seven years age
was Kate Wesley, the poor factory
girl whom you scorned. l told you by
Coos, help l would De avenged, aud vol
see spoke truly"
He rushed from her presence without
waiting TO hear her story-hoW whel
sne had separated from him sne had OBJ
tanned a situation as nursery gOYerness
anu how, an old lady OF the family beinl
taken i'll, she tended her faithlu ly unit
her death, and how OUT Of gratitude She
mad made KAYE her heiress, and at last
While travelling abroad, NOW She haC
met the Count, VINO married her.
That evening the Countess heard thai
: an English gentleman, VINO had just AZ
rived at The hotel, had shot hims ell from
some unknown Cause. Tuey tounu ron
letters on his person that his name Wal
William O.dIng.