Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1880-08-19
Lady Constancs's Revenge.

Lduy G9nSLdnce 5 heVeng6.
Hasten, Susannah; tell pour master
to come to me at once. l am very ILL.,"
The maid gave startled look into
her mistress flushed face. She had been
brushing out her luXuriant hair prepar-
atOry to arranging it in puffs and braids,
and placing amid them the tremulous
spray of diamonds which, on occasions
like the one for which the Lady Clarice
was preparing, were expected to sparkle
above the brow of the Lady of Vernon.
She needed no second bidding, but ran
in eager haste to Lord AlgernOn Yer
mons apartments, which were immedi-
ately across the wide corridor.
"Pierre," said she, in great excitement,
which nearly rendered her breathleSs,
tell the master to come to my lady at
Once-She may be dying"
What pity-just at this time of all
others, toor' said the valet, taking the
opportunity to squeeze the pretty Susan
nah's plump hand by way of showing
his sympathy.
Now, Mr.. Pierre" she said, indig-
nantly, Il thought you were a gentle
man above such trifiing."
"The cause must be my excuse" was
the answer, and he hastened to his mas
ter with such a long face that the words
"my lady" were barely out of his mouth
before Lord AlgernOn, with an exclama-
tion of alarm, was out of the room and
into his wife's apartment in ali incredi-
bly, short space of time.
She was subject to these sudden at
tacks, and some time, her physician had
| said, one of them might cause her death.
What is it, dearest-One of your old
turns? Let me help you to the sofa.
Here, Susan, take away this trumpery."
SuSan's face of horror at hearing the
valuable ornaments stigmatiZed as
''trumpery" brought smile to her mas
ters face, in spite of his concern.
He laid his wife in a comfortable pO-
sition. and, going to her medicine chest,
poured few drops of some colOrless
liquid into wineglaSS, and weakening
it with water, put it to the pale lips. 1t
soon revived her. With long, low sigh
she opened her eyes, and looked around
wonderingly. AS she saw the toilette
paraphernalia scattered around, memo
ry returned, and she said feebly:
at is too bad, Algie, but l can not go
to the wedding. 1t need not keep you
home though"
'Do you think l would go and leave
my darling like this? Nol Susannah,
run to my room and ask Pierre for my
writing materials. Tell him to have a
horse saddled and servant in readiness
to take note for me to Melton Church.
He'll have to hurry, for it must be there
in an hours timeaor it'll be too late"
The note was written, and the messen-
ger sent; but the distance was fifteen
miles, and though one of the best horses
in the stable was chosen it did not reach
Clarendon More in time for the spirited
animal took fright, and swerving to one
side threw his rider, and gallOped Wild
ly away to the Vernon stables.
Clarendon More was Lord Vernon's
only brother, and it was his wedding
which was to take place, and which the
sudden illness of Lady Clarice would
debar herself and husband, his only near
relatives, from attending.
1t was an unfortunate affair. For the
chosen bride was beautiful girl with
out family, as the English say, and with
out fortune. In the eyes of the proud
Lady Clarice the latter was more eXcu-
sable than the former; as the want of
money could be remedied-want of birth
could not.
She had been StrenuOusly opposed to
the match, and had tried to break it off.
Failing in that she had done her best to
influence her husband not to cOunte-
nance it; but he and Clarendon had too
strong a tie of love between them to be
parted, even by his worshipped wife.
He was true to his brother, and had
promised him to give him GOd-speed at
his wedding.
The eyes were very soft and lustrous
that looked up into her newly-made hus
bands face, as the minister said solemn
ly, 81 pronounce you man and wife,"
Clarendon had stood detiantly erect,
with firmly set lips and frowning brow
during the ceremony, but as he met her
timid glance his face changed as if BY
magic, and throwing aside the feecy
bridal veil he kissed the tremuiOuS lips, !
and drawing her arm within his own, |
walked proudly down the aisle, looking |
neither to right or left.
He had no clue to the absence of Lord |
and Lady Vernon, and drew the infer
ence from it that his proud sister-in-law |
tionally put this slight upon them.
The brilliant array of acquaintances
and friends, who had come to see him
made their absence the more
noticeable 81 did not think it of Algie,"
rang regretfully through his mind rs he
helped his wife into the carriage which |
was to take them to the train. Their ar
had been perfected to go at
once to Italy, where Clarendon wished
to study under the best masters. He
had decided talent for art, and knew
that he could add to his income by the
earnings of his pencil.
Upon the death of his father, some
three years before, his brother AlgernOn
had come into the title, and into the pos
session of large property.
Like all entailed estates, Clarendon's |
portion, as the second son, was only |
what his father had saved from his |
yearly income; and, as he was just in
his prime when cut Off by death, it was
only moderate sum.
SO the newly-wedded pair went to
their strange but pleasant home, and
built their family altar. Had it not