Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-10-26

knOWleQge OF dress or society, ana
very timid and embarrassed in my
manners Then my father told me
that it was necessary for the good of
both houses that Richard and should
marry, that Richard had consented,
and that / must meet few friends in
our private chapel at o'clock in the
morning a week later. OF course these
things were told me in a very gentle
manner, and my dear father, with
many loving kisses, begged me as
last favor to him to make no obiec-
ton"
"And what did Lord Richard sayl"
81 glanced up at him. He stood
near 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 Esther waits for you
to speak, Then Lord Richard turn
ed toward me and said something, but
in such a low voice that l did not
catch its meaning, Ny son says you
do him great honor--and pleasure,
exclaimed Lord Talbot, and he kissed
me and led me toward the unwilling
bridegroom.
"Of course l had ought to have
hated him Selma, but l did not On
the contrary, 1 fell desperately in love
with him. Perhaps it would have
been better for nae if | had not Rich
ard read my heart in my face, and
deSpised his easy conquest. AS for
me, | suffered in that weak and tor
turing suspense of a timid school girl
in love. l dressed myself in the best
of my plain, unbecOming, childish,
toilets, and watched YEARLY every
day for visit from my promised
husband; but 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 think, even then, my appear
ance was was fair enough to have
somewhat consolidated Richard Talbot
but he scarcely looked at me. The
ceremony was sc"upulously and cold
ly performed, my father, aunt and
governess being present on my side,
and on Richards his father and his
three maiden sisters.
II never saw my father alive again
he died the following week, and the
mOckery of our wedding festivities at
Talbot Castle 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 dis
posal all the remaining apartments. |
considered this an intimation that |
was not to intrude upon his quarters,
and / scrupulously avoided every APP
proach to them. | knew from the
first that all attempts to win him
would be useless, and indeed felt too
sorrowful to try. During the few
weeks that we were under the same
roof we seldom met, and | am afraid
did not make these intervals at all
pleasant. | felt wrongcd and miser-
able, and my wan face and heavy
eyes were only reproach to him.
ooh, what a monster Kate"
Not quite that, Selma. There were
many excuses for him. One day | saw
a paragraph in the Times saying that
Lord Richard Talbot intended TO ac-
company scientific exploring party
whose destination was Central Asia. |
instantly sent and asked my husband
for an interview. had intended dress
ing myself with care for the meeting,
and making one last effort to win the
kindly regard, at least of one whom |
could not help loving. But some UNI
fortunate fatality always attended our
meetings, and | never could do my
Self justice in his presence. He an
swered my request at once. | suppose
he did SO out of respect and kindness
but the consequence was, he found me
in an unbecoming dishabille, and
with my face and eyes red and swoolen
with weeping
Il felt mortified at a prompt atten-
ton so malapropes, and my manner,
instead of being winning and concilat-
ing, was cold, unprepossessing ! did
not raise from the sofa on which | had
been sobbing, and he made no attempt
to sit down beside me or to comfort
me.
II pointed to the paragraph and
asked if it was true
Yes Lady Talbot, he said, little
sadly and proudly; 1 shall relieve you
of my presence i'll a few days. | intend
ed Writwell tocall on you to-day with
draft of the provisions [ have made
for your comfort
Il could make no answer. [ had
thought of many good things to say,
but now in his presence, | was almost
fretful and dumb. He looked at me
almost with pity, and said in a low
voice, Kate, we have both been sacri-
feed to necessity involving many
besides ourselves | am trying to
make what reparation is possible. ]
shall leave you unrestricted use of
three fourth of my income! | desire
you to make your life as gay and
pleasant us You possibly can. | have
no fear for the honor of our name in
your hands, and trust that and all
else to you without doubt. If you
would try and learn to make some
excuse for my position, | shall be
grateful; perhaps when you are not in
constant fear of meeting me, this les
son may not be SO hard.
"And | could not say word in re
ply | Just lay sobbing like child
among the cushions Then he lifted
my hand and kissed it, and knew he
was gone.
And now, Kate, that you have be
come the most brilliant woman in
England, what do you intend to do!'
"Who knows2 | have such u con-
trary streak in my nature. | always
do the thing l do not want to do"
Certainly it seemed like it; for, in
spite of her confession, when Lord
Talbot sent the next morning, to re
quest an interview, Kate regretted that
she had prior engagement, but hoped
to meet Lord Talbot at the Duchess of
Clitford's that night
My lord bit his lips angrIly, but
nevertheless he had been so struck
with his wife's brilliant beauty that
he determined to keep the engage
ment.
She did not meet him with sobs this
time. The centre of an admIriug
throng, she spoke to him with an ease
and nonchalance that would have in
dictated to stranger the most usual
and commonplace of acquaintance
ships. He tried to draw her into a
confidential mood, but she said Smil-
ingly, My lord, the world suppoSes
us to have already congratulated each
other; we need not undeceive it.
He was dreadfully piqued and the
pique kept the cause of it continually
in his mind. Indeed, unless he left
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