The Portland daily press., 1883-05-29

Yes, Lady Talbot he said, little
sadly and proudly; 'Isshal relieve you of my
presence in few days. intended Writ
well to call on you to-day with draft of the
provisions have made for your comfort
Il could make no answer l had thought
OF many kind things to say, but now in his
presence, l was almost fretful and dumb.
He looked at me almost with pity, and said.
IN low voice, Kate, we have both been sac
rlhced to necessity involving many besides
ourselves. l am trying to make what rep
aration is possible. | shall leave you uure.
strleted use of three-fourths of my income.
desireyou to make your life as gay and
pleasant as you possibly can. have no
fear for the honor of our name in your
hands, and trust it 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 reply. /
just lay sobbing like a child among the cush
ions. Then he lifted my hand and kissed
1t, and / knew he was gone.p
And now, Kate, that you have become
the most brilliant woman in England, what
do you intend to do?p
"Who knows? / have such contrary
streak in my nature. | always do the thing
do not want TO do.N
Certainly it seemed like it for, in spite of
her confession, when Lord Talbot sent, the
next morning, to request an interview, Kate
regretted that she had a prior engagement,
bat hoped TO meet Lord Talbot at the Duch-
ass of Clifford's that night.
My lord bit his lips angrily, bat neverthe-
less he had been so struck with his wife's
brilliant beauty that he determined to keep
the engagement.
She did not meet him with sobs this time.
The centre of an admiring throng, she
spoke to him with an ease and nonchalance
that would have indicated to a stranger the
most usual and commonplace of Eacquain-
tanceships. He tried to draw her into n
confidential mood, but she said, smilingly.
My lord, the world supposes us to have al
ready congratulated each other; we need not
undeceiye it.n
He was d eedfully piqped, and the pique
kept the cause of it continually in his mind.
Indeed, unless he left London, he could
hardly avoid constant meetings, which were
constant aggravations. My lady went every-
where. Her beauty, her wit, her splendid
toilets, her line manners, were the universal
theme. He had to endure extravaeant com
ments on them. Friends told him that Lady
Talbot had never been SO brilliant and so
bewitchiig as since his return He was con-
graduated on his influence over her.
In the mean time she kept strictly at the
distance he himself had arranged four years
ago. II was evident that if he approached
any nearer his beautiful but long neglected
wife, he must humble himself to do so.
Why should he not? In Lord Talbot mind
the reasons against it had d@indled down 10
one. But this was formidable one. 1t
was his valet. This man had known all his
masters matrimonial troubles, and in his
own way sympathized with them. He was
bitterly averse to Lord Talbot's making any
concessions to my lady One night, howev-
er, he received a profound shock
Simmons said Lord Talbot, very decid-
eddy, go and ask Lady Talbot if she will do
me the honor to receive visit from me-
My lady would be delighted. She was in
an exquisite costume, and condescended to
exhibit for his pleasure all her most bewild-
ering moods. 1t was with great reluctance
he lef. her after a two hours visit. The
next night he stayed still longer NV lady
had no other engagement, and he quite for
got the one be had made to be present at the
Marquis of Stairs wine party.
The following week my lady received ev-
cry morning basket of wonderful flowers,
and little note with them containing
hope that she was in good health.
One morning she was compelled to saw
that she was not very well, and Lord Talbot
was so concerned that be sent Simmons to
ask if he might be permitted to eat break
fast with her. Ny lady was graciousiv will
ing, and Lord Richard was quite excited by
the permission. He changed his morn n.y.
gown and cravat several times, quite regard
less of Simmons peculiar face, and. with
many mlsgivings as to his appearance, sat
down opposite the lovely little lady in her
pale blue satin and cashmere and white
laees.
1t was charming breakfast and during
it the infatuated husband could not helm
saying great many very sweet and flatterin1
things. Kate kparried them very prettily.
" 1t is we'll, she said. that no one hears US.
Ii We were not married they would think
we were making love-"
And if are married, Kate, why not make
love, dear? We had no opportunity before we
were married.
All, Richard, in fashionable life we should
make ourselves ridiculous. Every one now
says that our behavior is irreproachable. /
should have dearly liked It when only shy.
awkaTd, country girl: but now. nv lord we
we should be laughed at.
Then, Kate, let us be laughed at for
one am longing for it-dying for it. If
Time shall run back and fetch the ace az
gold why not Love? Let us go back four
whole years and half. win yon. Kate?
dearest, sweetest Kate?'
we should have TO run away to the
country, Richard. and now l think OF ID
have not been to Esher since we--were
-married-love.'
When sneh conversation as this was pro-
longed for five hours, it was little wonder
that my lords valet andt my Iadv's maid
received orders to pack valises and trunks,
or that next day Esher Hall was in a happy
tumult of preparation.
Love comes better late than never, and
Lady Kate always told herself that she
never could have been so happy In those
aweet old gardens with her lover as she was.
with her husband. probably, they were
both as perfectly satisfied as 1t is possible for
human love 10 be; for, greatly to the amaze
ment Of the fashionable world, they not
only spent the whole summer alone in their
country home, but actually, when they came
back to LONDON, had the courage to appear
in the ve-y hight of the season, In the same
box at the opera.
- "Rea'ly, Kate, says Miss Selma, 'snever
was 50 astonished. The gentleman on your
left
- Is always at my right now, dear. He
will never be in the opposition again.
"How delightfully."-
''For us? Oh yes. Charming"