Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-08

81 SHALL" answered Lord Beauvray, quietly,
and he held out his hand for the papers.
The shifty glance of the money man quailed
before the light of unquenchable honesty in the
eyes of one who happened to be nobleman in
something more than the name.
There was pretty hubbab in society when it
became known that the earl Of Beauvray-or
George de Vray, as he now simply called him
self-waS going to abandon his title and estates
to man who had been city clerk. Lord Beauv-
ray himself did his utmost to make the thing
public; for as the legal formalities for renstat-
ing his cousin into his rights would require
some time, he was anxious that the new peer
should obtain at least social recognition OF his
rank as soon as possible. For this purpose he
placed the amazed and elated Mr.. Timburei in
possession OF his mansion in Piccadilly and a
Tfmburel was decidedly snob; Lord Beauvray
could not like him, much aS-he forced himself
to be friendly, and he was soon forced to re-
fleet, with sigh that the house OF De Vray
would be poorly represented by its new chief.
But this did not check his diligence In doing his
duty and he quite dismayed his solicitors who
were advising him to defend the action for eject
ment that was going to be instituted, and !is-
pute the claim for the title that would be lad
before the House of Lords
g wish to have no disputes" said George de
Vray. Even If q legal flaw were discovered. !
should not avail myself Of it so long as a moral
certainty existed. And that does exist" The
lawyers grumbled, but they were fain to owl
that the marriage certificate was genuine an
that nothing but chicanery could spoil the suit
of Mr.. T1mburel, who now described himself as
Ralph de Vray, claimant to the carbon OF
Beauvray."
OF course, George de Ways marriage was
postponed. The turn in his fortunes had thrown
so much business on his hands that it was i'm
possible he could devote a month to honey
incoming until it was all disposed or besides
which, he felt bound to make Mr.. Moyle tn
offer of releasing his daughter from her engage
ment. At first this proposal was pooh-poohed
equally by the bill discounter and Miss Moyle
herself. Mile, who was not quite so sensible
as she was pretty, Wept good deal at not be-
coming countess; then she wept at the nobil-
lily OF Georges action, which everybody was
praiSing. In fact, during week she believed
good many Observation-Disclosures with her weep
1ngS over one thing and another. But, In the MAN,
she was disposed to remain faithful to George,
and took some credit to herself for her fortitude.
Now there was staying In the house of the
Moyles poor little cousin of Miles, named
Gertrude Brown. She was Soft-eyed brunette
of is, very quiet and loVeable, who acted as a
companion to Mile, and had to bear much from
the whimsical humors OF this spoiled child
Gertie had always received marked kindness
from Lord Beauvray, who treated her as If she
had been his sister; and she looked upon him
with admiration as the most noble being she had
ever seen. His remuneration of rank and wealth
had struck her as an act OF surprising heroiSIn,
and she could not so much as allude to it with
out tears gushing from her eyes. Gertie Brown
had heart that beat in unison with all that was
great and good. A shrewd, merry little thing
too IN her way, she was capable of discerning
the difference that existed between a genuine
d
man OF money like her uncle Moyle. When she
saw George de Vray after his s'ruin,' as old
Moyle called it, behaving with the same cheer
ming ft-giving himself no airs of a hero, but
talking and laughing simply like man who
has done his duty without any fuss and is glad
OF ft-She thought her cousin happy amongst all
girls, ard sighed to reflect that Millie did not,
perhaps, appreciate her treasure as fully as she
ought.
It was this enthusiasm of Door Gertie Browns
on Door George de NraV'S behalf which hogan fp
make the cup of Mr.. Moyles bitterness overflow,
That worthy gentleman had taken to musing
ting in Parliament, getting baronetcy, and all
that George de Vray might remain pet of
society, and by means of Miles money keep a
sumptious town-house; but this was not the
same as being an earl with an enormous rent
roll and influence over a whole county. Old
Moyle limited as much to his daughter and to
make the lesson more forcible, threw out
gloomy suggestions that his own fortune was
not very secure, and that Mile might some day
find herself constrained to live on her husbands
$500 year, and to make her own dresses with
caused Miles tears to burst out afresh pevish-
~, 50 that she flew at Gertte when the latter
happened to make some remark in Georges
very rOundly, saying that she was silly girl to
think there was anything grand in throwing
ones money out of the window, so that all the
world might talk about it. Poor Gertie held her
tongue, although her heart throbbed wofully
She had heard that the new Lord Beauvray, the
eX-Mr. Tfmburel, had been invited to dinnerthat
evening; and she began to suspect that her pre-
c1ouS uncle was forming plan for making of
this former clerk OF his sutton for Miles
hand.
Her intuition was not at fault. Old Moyle had
fastened TO make peace with his discharged
clerk, and the latter, whose vanity was tickled
by seeing his Quondam tyrant cringe before him.
gradually became a regular guest at the bill
discounter's, though he took care never to come
at times when he was likely to meet George
there. These visits displeased Gertie Brown
who could feel no admiration for the vulgar
manners and purse-proud ostentatfon Of Ralph
de Nray. This young man was handsome, how
ever, and not devoid of talent. 1t was no secret
to Millie that he had aspired to win her hand at
time when such hope was folly, and he ey-
ercised over her that fascination which saucy
assurance and bold ''gift of the CAB" ever do
over girls who are weak and giddy. One day,
after he had been talking to Mile for an hour
in his most brilliant vein, some recollection of a
droll sally of his made the girl laugh after he
was gone, and she exclaimed, ''He Is decidedly
very amusing"
tie, dryly.
'.You are not bound to sit and listen to him
then" said Mile with flash in her eyes.
81 will withdraw, then, on another oeca-
sion-with great pleasure" was Gerties reply.
That's 1t, dove Shan't miss you. Blythe
bye, you never make yourself scarce when Mr..
George de Vray comes here"
60 There are not the same reasons for doing so.
Mr.. George is thorough gentleman"
:. And you mean that Mr.. Ralph is not?"
"Ab! ah! Pray is it simply because Mr.. George
has given up property that was not his that you
consider him so superior to his cousin? see
nothing wonderful in that. II found one of your
trinketS among my things should restore IL
without Growing all over the town about my
honesty. Indeed, l think it rather strange that
Lord Beauvray should not have discovered this
secret until he had enjoyed his property several
years; 1t looks much to me as ii some other peo-
pie had discovered it, too and as ii he had only
acted under compulsion."
Ion, Mile, you are casting an asperson on
one OF the most noble acts have ever heard OF"
exclaimed Gertie, Quiyering all over.
"Well, It's your fault, - screamed Mile, exaS-
peIated; Il am sick OF always hearing you harp
on the same string. Ii you are so fond of Mr.. de
NTay, why don't you get him to marry you?
That would be two beggarS together''
Naturally, Gertie went to her room to have
good cry, but from that day she ceased speaking
about George and became very crcumspect in
her demean0r toward him. When he called to
see Mile, she left the room. George soon no.
tfCed these tactics, for his interviews with Mr.
Moyle's daughter were growing more and more
frkSome by reason OF Miles GOODNESS and irritsl-
biiity. AT the least thing, she would snap and
Sulk; and one afternoon, when George Innocent
ly made some inquiry about Miss Brown she
fired up in jealous pet. :'You seem very anxi-
Gus about Miss Brown. am not obliged to show
her OF In the drawing-rOom whenever visitors
come. She Is only pauper cousin whom we
have taken In from charity"
"1t's queer charity, dear, II you talk of it in
that way" laughed George. 81 don't consider
poverty disgrace, either"
mo, but it's very inconvenient," said Mile,