Connecticut western news., 1879-08-13

I
 "Well, this is most extraordinary thing, and very. very sad, I must say. !"
 "It might easily have been much sadder. am goirg to tell you the ex- act truth, and rely upon your honor and discretion to keep the secret 'invio- lable." '> '"',.'' ''.' .- '-' '-''
 "My dear Kate, would not name it for worlds" a"
 "Listen, then. Ole night, when I was scarcely seysnteen years old, my father sent for mo to his study. I had known for months that he was dying. He was the only creature that I had to love, and I loved him very tenderly. l must add also, for it partly explains my conduct, that the idea of disobeying him in anything had never presented itself to me as a possibility. This night l found with him his lifelong friend the late Lord Talbot, and also the present lord, my husband. I was shy, shrink ing girl, without any knowledge of dress or society, and very timid aud embar- rassed in my manners. Then my father told me that it was necessary for the good of both houses that Richard Tal- bot and I sGould marry, that Richard had consented and that I must meet a few friends i n cur private chapel at seven o'clock in the morning week af- terward. Of course these things were told me in a very gentle and considerate manner, and my dear father, with many loving kisses, begged me as last favor to him to make no objections"
 "And what did Lord Richard say ?"
 "I glanced up, at him. He stood neal. a window looking out over our fine old park, and when he, felt my glance he colored deeply and bowed. Lord Talbot said, rather angrily, Richard, Miss Esher waits for you to speak. Then Lord Richard turned toward me and said something, but in such low voice that I did not catch it's meaning. My son says you do him great honor and pleasure,' explained Lord Talbot, and he kissed me and led mo toward the unwilling bridegroom. ''''' --~'-
 "Of course I ought to have hated him, Selina, but did not. On the con- trary, fell desperately in, love with him. Perhaps it would have been bet ter for mo if I had not Richard read my heart in my face, and despised his easy conquest. As for mo, suffered in that week all the torturing suspense of timid schoolgirl in love. I dressed myself in the best of my plain, unbe- coming, childish toilets, and watched wearily every day for visit from my promised husband; but l saw no, more of him until our wedding morning. By this time some very rich clothing had ar rived for me, and also London maid, and I think, even. theny my appearance was fair enough to have somewhat con- oiliated Richard Talbot. But he scarce ly looked at me. The ceremony was scrupulously and ooldly performed, my father, aunt, and governess being pres ent on my side, and on Richards his father and his three maiden sisters.
 CT never saw my father alive again he died the following week, and the mockery of our marriage festivities at Talbot Castle was suspended at once in difference to my grief. Then we came to London, and my lord selected for his own use the left wing of this house, and politely placed at my entire disposal all the remaining apartments. I considered this as an intimation that was. not ex pected to intrude upon his quarters, anG sornpulously avoided every approact to them. knew from the first that al attempts to win him would be useless and indeed, felt too sorrowful ant humiliated to try. During the few week, !; we remained under one roof we seldom met, and l am afraid I did not make these rare interviews at all pleasant. felt wronged and miserable, and my wal face and heavy eyes were only reproacl to him." .. '.., :. ~' ..-..- ; "Oh, what,a monster, Kate p '' Not quite that, Selina. There wer, many excuses for him. One day 1 say paragraph in the Times saying tha
 Lord Richard Talbot intended to accom- pany a scientific exploring party who's, destination was Central Asia. IinstantI, sent and asked my husband for an inter view. had intended dressing mysel 7 with care for the meeting, and maxim, one last effort to win the kindly regard at least, of one whom I still could no l help loving. But some unfortunate fa
 tality always attended our meetings, an,
 I never could do myself justice in hi
 presence. He answered my request a once. I suppose he did so out of respec f and kindness but the consequence was
 he found me in an unbecoming disha I billie, and with my face and eyes red an t swollen with weeping.
 "I felt mortified at prompt attentio
 50 malapropos, and my manner, instea s of being winning and consolidating, wa s cold and unprepossessing. I did nc . rise from the sofa on which I had bee
 sobbing, and he made no attempt to & l down beside me or to comfort me,
 l 1T pointed to the paragraph, an
 asked if it was true.
 - "'Yes, Lady Talbot, he said, ittl l. sadly and proudly; T shall relieve 70 @ of my presence in few days. I Iintende '- Writwell to call on you today with y draft of the provisions I have made fc o your comfort
 o "I could make no answer. I ha J thought of many kind things to say, bu
 now, in his presence. was only fretfl d and dumb. He looked at me almo j. with pity, and said, in 0 low voice. Kat