Louisiana capitolian., 1879-11-29
THE RIGHTFUL HEIR,

For some weeks past the engage
ment between tho Earl Of Bcauvray
and Miss Milliccnt Moylc had been
chroniclcd in the fashionable intelli-
genco of newspapers, and tho mar
riagc wns appointed to take place in
July. Bcauvray house, PiccMlilly,
had been placed in the hands of the
decorators Bcauvray Castle, in
Northshirc, was being refurnishcd
and bcautiGcd by the combined
energies Of upholstercrs, painters,
and landscape gardeners, and grand
subscriptions had been set on foot,
amongst his lorhship's tenants, his
brother officers of the guard and his
follow members OF tho Northshirc
hunt to make the now countess somo
handsome presents. There were
many who considered Miss Moyle n
lucky girl, for Lord Bcauvray was
not only of ancient family, young,
immensely wealthy and wcll-looking
but he was popular everywhere,
owing to his sunny temper and
uprightness of character. There are
young noblcmcn who make their
grandeur consist in throwing away
their money and making their repu-
tation into ducks and brakes. But
Lord Rcauvray had been merry
without being dissolute. He was the
most irreproachablc Of gentlemen,
just us his betrothcd, Miss Moyle, wns
tho faircst flower among that bouquet
of pretty girls who had been pres
cntcd ut court in the same season as
herself. Millicent Moylc was u rich
hcilcss rs we'll as n pretty girl; but
this was about all that could be said
of her. Her father, Josiah Moylc, II
bill discOunter Of Lombar street, was
"ncw man. Of tho city plutocrat
ono Of those financicrs who have
made such rapid fortunes that every
body expects to hear of them next in
tho bankruptcy court. 1t was said
that he and Lord Beauvray had be-
come acquainted while travelling
abroad, and that the peers relatives
had been much scandalized on hear
ing of his lordship's intention to mar
ry the daughter of q man whose an
teccdents were just a little misty.
As for Mr.. Moyle, quite conscious
ofhow great piece of luck had be-
fallen him, he couldnot refrain bragg
ing before his city friends about his
future son-in-law, "the earl" He
talked Of retiring from business, of
obtaining seat in Parliament
through Lord Beauvray's influence
and dcvoting himself henccforth to
the assiduous study of conservative
politics and the cultivation of aristo-
cratic connections. The poor man
had been admitted, on Lord Beauv-
rays presentation, to one or two first
rate clubs, and he had been introduce
cd to so many ladies and gentlemen
Of title that his head was turned. He
sighted over his business ledgcrs
from l2 to 4 every day, as if he had
begun to realize the degradation of
commercial pursuits : and as soon as
his counting-house closed, he would
hurry off in a white waistcoat and
with flower in his button hole to
take drive around the park in his
spanking phnton, drawn by pair
of bays which he could lily manage.
1t was honest Moyle's delight in these
drives to meet the finely appointed
barouche which carried his wife, his
daughter Millie and Lord Beauvray
and to note the number of hats lifted
as it passed. Such bows made him
grin in pure glce.
One sunny afternoon, just a fort
night before the date fixed for the
marriage, the bill-discounter's pha-
ton was drawn up as usual alongside
the pavement of Lombard street,
waiting till the strike of four from an
adjoining steeple should bring out the
plutocrat, when n brogham with
coronet on the panels, ,clattered up be-
hind, and Lord Beauvray alighted.
He was ghastly pale. The hall por-
ter, who knew him by sight, and had
always admired his pleasant smile,
was startled by his appearance not
less than by the broken voice in
which he inquired if Mr.. Moyle had
left. Just then Mr.. Moyle himself
strutted ont, all glorious with gera-
mum In his coat and a white hat per-