New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-02-23
A FORSAKEN BRIDE.
BY MRS. GEORGE SHELDON
AUTHOR OF
BROWNIES TRl u NJ FL.
CHAPTER /.
4 wIFE's MALPIcTroS.

hrI,ont festival or reception is about TO celebrate
the election OF sir Dudley Outward TO the peefaee,
The "roval patent" creating him Earl Durward' anu
thus elevatng him 20 q position in the upper "o
or House OF Lords. had only recently peeh
and rad occasioned great rejoicing III the ooco' " w
honor and aooun his svmpathiaers and friends
It was a position for which Sir Dudley mad tone" cn'
and late and over the which had at ast
his efforts he was very exuitant.
In the grand drawing room at bennington lo wv,
all white and gold. excepting where the i,en w.
gorgeous flowers made vivid contrast, and hied Tue AZ
vim their fragrance-the trump hant master slahu7
ready 10 receive his guests when they shall aiI'e' "
tender him their gooi wishes ana congratulations
He Is a powerfully built handsome man oil "'oi'
Thirty But his face has hard, eruei looA-' 'VOA
which tells of cunning plotting, and OF fierce lntoer
ance OF anything which stands In the way Oh DIS Pu'
and ambition that repels one ut a glance
His eyes arc black and piercing, and haroor merry
lcam in their dusky depths which is not portenous OF
good TO ally one or anything which may arise 10 tn""
him in any OH darling schemes or desires thousn
inst al present they bright with the triumph Vi
success. :,
His nose and mouth large and coarse MS Ups arc
sensual in their expression, and habitu ally cur'eu "'
the corners with a sneering expression not pleasant 10
behold.
He stands there in the centre Of that luxurious room
beneath the blazing chandelier. his hands clafpeu DC
hind hiin his head thrown proudly backand MS
fn Of that day when BE shall 90 up TO London take MS
longaspired-for seat in Parliament among the hoo"''
OF the land and bend 10 his Will by the power
of his eloouepce and his ndomitable perseverance
us father had been an Impoverished baronet with
neither energy nor PRIDE After his DEATH ana upon
coming into possession OF the estate sir Dudley hau
ben; all his energies TO the improvement oil the aeh
fortunes of the house His ambition knew no bounds
lie WAS dete rmned rise 10 the very topmos rouhu oil
the ladder of wealth. and fame. and honor.
Cd
moved and extended his estate until II became one ~
the finest in the country. lie then began TO aspire TO
noltical honors was elected member TO the House OF
commons for his borough and acquitted himself therein
most honorably.
Tnis however did not satisfy him. and he determined
10 apply for letters patent which would create MIN
paer OF the realm. The Of bis undertaking we
already Lnow and We will now return TO him as he
stands IN his prncely home awaiting further honors
door at the farther end OF the magnificent room
softly swings open, there is moment OF stiffness, a. II
some one standing upon the threshold hesiaed about
the uroprcty Of advancing; then lovely apparition
gdcs noiseiessly forward aud finally halts Just beside
the proud master OF bennington Towers. da'nily
cloved hand is gently laid upon his arm, and voice.
sweet as the music Of fairy bells says;
Dudley am glad OF your victory. Ihastened down
before any one shold that might be the first
to congratulate you"
He started at the words and his face changed In a
moment from It's look OF triumph to n bitter suecr
ooh. you congratulate me- do youi suppose you do
not feel the least cacd AZ the prospect OF occupying
the position ~ an Earl's WIFE
He turned aercey upon her as he spoke and hts eve
never sofenc did the least spark OF admiration or
affection light his features as he behcd the
fairy like vision before him.
mo. no. Dudley you know that have selfish feel
ing In the matter" returned, with little sob. and
shrinking from him as II he had struck her blow.
"You know" she added. " that I am only glad for
You"
'Gad for me- are youi and pray what good will all
your gladncss do me Z" he said. harshly.
Ell thought Dudley. that you would bo pleased to
know that shared your joy she answercd mildly yet
with gentle dignity which became her well
she vas fair and sweet as the sweetest blush rose.
Her FORM her rounded arms aud dainty hands her
graceful shoulders and delicate neck her small head
surmouu,ed by its FURNISHED hair the tiny sheike car
the sweet mouth and deep blue eyca. were all simply
uerfectl And with all this, added 10 n faucss toilet,
IL vas evident that not n Hir,r vision would grace
the grand old halls Of bennington that night.
But 80 much beauty md loneliness had no power to
soften the natufed man a. her side indcci her very
presence Seemed to aggravate Him. and TO drive away
all the pleasant thoughts which had been bis conpan
ions ere she entered
He laughed harshly at her last words
eyes share my ioys-and honors you shond have
added nonors are plenty just now. aud you are wei
to snare mem al, HAlah Nouiu iHiutm )'h
that have precious few joys al present aud expect TO
have less I'm the future" he concluded. bitterly.
She cast down her beautiful eyes and sighed YEARLY
"You know" he continued sullenly. that what |
hoped most for OF all things has been denied me"
81 know my husband. to what you refer" she
answered sadly. God has seen NJ to leave us child
less-has Withheld from that which would pcrpeiu-
ate our name and give US great JOY besides Tho bit
tcrness has been great for for you Hs knows
how would love iiitc childreu-your little children,
Dudley-but-but
But what I" he demanded nercely.
e But perchauce tho future may have something bet
ter In store us she answered. with downcast q cs
The future 20 he sncered; that has boca your cry
for the last ten years The has been accused
believe through either you that there should be
no heir to inherit these broad lands and the honors
which are fust crOwding upon us"
Lady Durward took step forward and looked eagerly
into her husband's inco.
His fierce and angry words had seemed almost 10
crush her at rs se had grown pale and sud- her bright
face had lost all It's JOY, aud her attitude was dropping
udhstless. But sudden Inspiration seemed now to
animate her
Dudley" she said, " would you give me back your
love- and treat in the old happy days II you had
your wish Your love-" she added the color flaming
into her pale checks her bosom heavng aud her eyes
lighting, 'Ts the thing in this world for which care
most what hon0fs. wealth. station, without some
one to lean upon ana TO love should be happier Than
queen stripped Of everything which the world bows
down and worships, could have und!Spnted reign
IN your heart Dudley. won't you give mo back the Oh
lovel All | thought you would bo tender To night
when future looks so bright and you koow love
you'll love YOU SO fOndy."
How could he resist those sweet dcwy eyes, raised sc
plcadngly hiss How could he resist the appealing
touch 81 that hide trembling hand laid ~ gently upon
his arm thosc Guivcrng lips and the love light when
!llumed that fauitiessly beautiful face
But he Only laughed u he1rtle-s, snrGriDG laugh.
Love !" he said Lady Dnrwari. | think 1 never
knew what the word really meant"
"You did-you know you did OH why do yon tor
ture thus I" burst iB passionate cry from her now
pale lips.
why, indeed when II seemed rs II the angels above
must have loved her tedey she ttnOd there 80 far