Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-12-07
CHATTER XxXYI.

jumped up from the low stool where
she had been sitting by the fire, and
threw her arms round her neck.
"Eustace has told you all, has he not,
mamma?" she whispered. "Please for
give me for having kept our engage
ment secret from you-it was only for
few days"
"Your engagement? What are you
talking about, childp Have you lost
your senses?" said Mrs. Dalton, aghast.
Has he not told you, them" asked
Bertha, withdrawing her arms and look
ing into her mothers face.
Something in Bertha's blushing, hap
py face; the recollection of the manner
In which she had found st. Lawrence
and Bertha together, staggered Mrs.
Dalton; she began to recall her CONVEX
sation with st. Lawrence, and remem-
bered that he had not mentioned Lena's
name. Still she struggled against con-
viction.
'sBut you, Bertha" she said, in a
quaVering voice, and sinking into the
nearest chair-''you Countess of Alph-
ington! 1t is impossiblel"
''Hush, please, mammal" entreated
Bertha, glancing toward the bed where
Lena lay. Read that-it will tell you
ALL" and she drew st. Lawrence's letter
from her pocket, and placed it in her
mothers hand.
Lena turned her head uneasily and
uttered low moan-Bertha sprang to
her side.
my headl" she said, putting up her
hand.
Lena was really i'll. When morning
came the doctor had to be summoned.
Brain-fever threatened, and the ut
most quiet was declared to be necessary.
So, instead of wedding festivities,
there were hushed household and
grave and anxious faces.
Lord Alphington and Sir Stephen and
Lady Langley delayed their departure
from town till Lena was pronounced
out of danger. Every attention that
kindness and pity could suggest was
paid to the unfortunate invalid. Per-
haps to fall i'll was the best thing Lena
could have done-it turned peoples
feelings of displeasure into commisera-
ton.
During the month that followed, the
trial of Sedley and the two Lemonts
came on-for Mrs. Lemont did not die,
though her health was permanently inn
paired. Sedley was condemned to penal
bClNltuuO 1Ot OCuJCllCO uO IC~
ceived with the dogged sullenness he
had evinced ever since his arrest. Mrs.
Sedley, as having acted under her hus-
bands directions, got off, but Pierre
Lemont was sentenced to penal servi-
tude for seven years. He was loud in
expostulations and entreaties for mercy,
seeming to have expected to escape
punishment by o full confession.
naltnr ra0nUnrQ6 cInWIU hlIt
the brightness of her beauty was dim
med. Her fine color was gone, her COM
plexion had assumed a tinge Of sallow-
ness; deep dark lines showed them
selves under her eyes; her hair had been
cut off, and it was doubtful whether
she would be able to crown herself with
abundant glossy plaits any more. She
moved about wan and spiritless, the
ghost of her former self.
The doctor recommended change of
scene and warmer climate for the
winter; and Mrs. Dalton was glad to
get away from the inquiries of her
''dear friends" It was agreed to shut
up Ivy Cottage and proceed to Italy,
taking old Martha with them. Bertha
wished to accompany them, not be-
lieving that Lena would recover
strength or tranquility of spirits If left
alone with her mother, who was con-
tinually harassing her with regrets, not
to say reproaches. Not only Eustace,
however, but Lord Alphington and the
Langleys, set their faces strenuohsly
against this arrangement, and Bertha
was obliged to yield.
1t so happened that the daughter of
the curate Of the next parish to Alph-
ington was seeking for some occupa-
tiOn. Kate Medhurst was a great IA
vorite with Lady Langley; she had often
wished for the girl, who was now four
and-twenty, a more extended experience
of the world, and an opportunity of cul-
tiyating the taste for art which she de-
cidedly possessed. A bright idea Struck
Lady Langley; Kate Medhurst should
accompany Mrs. Dalton and Lena to
Rome. She was not only thoroughly
sensible and intelligent, but lively and
energetic girl, who could not fail to ex-
ercise beneficial influence over Lena.
This arrangement satisfied all par
ties. Miss Medhurst was glad to 90, on
condition of having her expenses paid
and being treated as one of the family,
and Mrs. Dalton was charmed with the
idea of having some one who, like Ber-
tina, would take all trouble off her
hands. fr
Bertha was married the day before
Mrs. Dalton left England. At her par
ticular desire the wedding was very
quiet affair; she wished to have no
grand preparation that would recall the
past. On their return to the house after
the ceremony, Lord Alphington placed
the opal ring on the finger of the bride.
The prophecy has come true" he
said; land never has the ring been worn
by one more worthy to be Countess Of
Alphington."
"That will not be for many, many
years yet, I trust" Bertha returned,
touching with her lips the venerable
hand that held hers. 4sHN
t''Allin Heavens good time, my love.''
said the Earl but, if it be the will Of
Providence. / shall be glad to be spared
while to witness the happiness Of my
children"
Mr. and Mrs. Fancourt, after a short
tour, went to stay at Alphington Park
till after Christmas; they then went
northward to another seat belonging to
the Earl, but which was now to be
their own country home till the season
commenced, by which time the house.
in Magnus Square was to be ready for
their reception.
Any onswishing for admittance there
would have met the face Of an old
friend. The situation of hall porter be
Coming vacant, Perkins, at Mr. Riggs's
request, was promoted to the post. It
is perhaps needless to say that he filed
it. with much. self satisfaction. He