Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-10-12
uAPrER Nv.

diminished during the time Of his en-
forced absence-she need hsxs bseu un-
der no alarm. He had fully intended To
pursue his suit, but letter received
/ from Julie Lemont altered his plans,
and took him out Of town for B few
days.
During a subsequent interview with
Lord Alphington, affairs had been ar
ranged entirely to his satisfaction
Handsome apartments were assigned
him In the long-yacant house In Magnus
Square; and what even he acknowl-
edged 10 be o handsome income was
mentioned as about to be placed at his
disposal, Lord Alphington placing a
check for Q considerable amount In his
hands for present expenses. He could
scarcely conceal his exultation, when
informed Of these arrangements, and
Lord Alphington's manner increased in
coldness toward him.
HFancourt had betrayed any emotion
on assuming the name and rank of his
forefathers, or had expressed any de-
sire to stand well with the old Earl, or
to be guided by his wishes in any way,
or had shown any anxiety to fulfil well
the duties Of his new station, Lord
AlphingtOn's heart might have soften
ed toward him-he might have forgiven
much. But there was nothing Of the
kind; it was all self-all sOrdid greed.
When Lord Alphington came to talk
with him on general subjects he found
him by no means ignorant or devoid of
certain degree Of cultivation; the real
want was deeper. Fancourt's idea of
good was expediency; of pleasure, mere
sensual qualification; of wisdom, the
low cunning necessary to deceive for
certain ends. All else he considered
mere hypocrisy; and so far was he from
being conscious that he was laying bare
a low, vulgar nature that he believed he
was making himself out fine fellow,
a man of the world. with no humbug
about him."
Lord Alphington, wounded and dis
tressed, returned to Alphington Park
returned to feel his splendid home more
lonely than ever; for now what hope
could there be that the void there would
ever be filledp Fancourt would marry,
as a matter of course, but he had little
expectation that such a step would
mend matters. What girl of refined
tastes and delicate habits would unite
herself with the low-bred, shallow
headed, evil-minded upstart he was
compelled to own as his grandsonp No;
there was nothing to look forward to
there. Fancourt would be caught by
some pretty face. most likely in a lower
grade, and would be accepted-how
else could he be accepted? Lord Alph-
ington asked himself-for the sake of
his wealth and future title.
Could the desolate old man have
known that Fancourt had already made
his choice, he would have taken some
comfort. He had not felt particularly
interested in Madeline Dalton. but at
any rate she was beautiful and grace
ful woman, who would not disgrace her
husbands name.
Lord Alphington wandered disconso-
lately from room to room on the day
after his return home, lingering before
each memento of former and happier
years. He had never suffered his wife's
workable and embroidery frame to be
removed from the place in which they
had used to stand during her lifetime.
He drew out the .table-drawer wherein
lay her scissors and thimble just as she
had last used them; piece of canvas
was still stretched on the frame, with
rosebud just begun, the threads of pink
and green hanging loose. In the din
ing-room were portraits of his two
sons in their boyhood, and of lady he
had once called daughter-in-law, with
an infant on her knee. In the school
room there were still small desks and
well-worn books, besides bats and balls
and juvenile fishing-rods. All, how
long ago it seemed since those loving
faces pictured on the walls had SUR
rounded him-since cheerful voices had
made music in the old mansion-since
little pattering feet had been heard on
the stairs and along the wide corridors!
How quickly one after another had van
ished, leaving the old man alone! Of
what account were wealth and luxury
to him? he thought, as he stood at the
library window watching herd of deer
sweep across glade of the park. The
lodge keeper, whose rosy children peep
ed shyly out as he passed, in the hope
of kind word or perhaps sixpence
was a happier man than he.
Unwilling to allow these melancholy
reflections to overmaSter him, he Or
dered his horse round, and rode over to
the Larches to confide his troubles and
disappointments to Lady Langley's
kind and sympathetic ear.
II am truly sorry to hear what you
say" said Lady Langley, when Lord
had related the circum-
stances of his visit to town, and the
cruel disappointment that had awaited
him; "but we must hopethat the fall of
your expectations has led you to take
too gloomy view. Perhaps on further
acquaintance you may not find your
grandson so repellent to you as you
now feel him to be.n
"You will see him when he comes
down to the Park" Lord Alphington
returned, shaking his head; ''and you
will find / have not exaggerated. It
will be additional grief to me and
cause, OF anxiety aswell. shall live in
perpetual fear Of some disgraceful ex-
posure."
Lady Langley did her best to encour-
age and console her old friend, for
whom she felt deeply. Notwithstand-
ing her endeavors to see the matter in
. more cheerful light, she trembled, |
knowing that Lord Alphington was not |
the one to judge either hastily or harsh
y, but that he must have had good |
cause for the displeasure and uneasi-
ness he expressed.
Fancourt lost no time in establishing |
himself in his new quarters in Magnus |
square. The first evening after taking |
up his abode there he remained at home,
floating over his surroundings, and
himself in anticipation of
brilliant future. Reclining in luxuri-
,us lounging-chair in his sitting-room,
ne looked round at the brocaded hang
ngs, which were of q subdued gold
,olOr, at the cabinets, and ottomans,
md table, and every possible appliance
or use and ease; at the tall mirrors and /
,xquisite bronzes, and the pictures, few
lut choice, that hung upon the walls.
Then he glanced at the bell ready to his
land; he had only to ring to summon
oy.yy ntc vranoroJ IN a., ~ 1~:c l>;jJ;,.u |