St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-09-07


conquest As for me, | suffered in that
week the torturing suspense of school girl
in love, / dressed myself in the best of my
plain, unbecoming childish toilets and
watched wearily every day for my promised
husband; but | saw no more of him until
our wedding morning. By this time some
very rich clothing had arrived for me and al
so London maid and, think, even then,
my appearance was fair enough to have
somewhat conciliated Richard Talbot But
he scarcely looked at me. The ceremony
was scrupulously and coldly performed, my
father, aunt and governess being present on
my side and on Richards his father and
three maiden sisters.
81 never saw my father alive again; he
died the following week, and the mockery of
our wedding festivities at Talbot castle was
suspended at once in Difference to my grief.
Then we came to London, and my lord Sc
lected to his own use the left wing of this
house, and politely placed at my disposal all
the remaining apartments. l considered
this an intimation that was not expected
to intrude upon his quarters, aud scrupu-
lousy avoided every approach to them.
knew from the first that all attempts to win
him would be useless, and indeed l felt too
sorrowful and Inundated to try. During
the few weeks that we remained under the
same roof we seldom met, and / am afraid /
did not make these rare intervals pleasant.
| felt wrouged and miserable, and my wan
face and heavy eyes were only reproach to
him.
''Oh, what monster, Kater'
''Not quite that, Selma. There are many
excuses for him. One day | saw para
graph in the Times saying that Lord Richard
Talbot intended to accompany scientific
exploring party whose destination was Cen
trail Asia. / instantly sent and asked my
husband for an interview | had inten ded
dressing myself with care for the meeting
and making one last effort to win the kindly
regard at least of one whom i could not help
loving. But some unfortunate fatality al
ways attended our meeting, and never
could do myself justice in his presence. He
answered my request at once. | suppose he
did so out of respect and kindness. but the
consequence was he found. me in unbecom-
ing dishabille and with my face and eyes
red and swollen with weeping.
II felt mortified at prompt attention so
malapropos, and my manner, instead of be-
ing willing and conciliating, was cold and
nprepossesspg. l did not rise from the
sofa on which had been sobbing. and he
made no attempt to sit down beside me or
TO comfort me.
81 pointed to the paragraph and asked if
ii were true.
eyes Lady Talbot" he said, a little sadly
and proudly. i shall 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
81 could make no answer. l had thought
of many good things to say, but not in his
presence. L was almost fretful and dumb.
He looked at me almost with pity, and said
in a low voice. Kate, we have both been
sacrificed to a necessity, involving many be-
sides ourselves. l am trying to make what
reparation is possible. l shall leave you I'M
restricted use of three fourths of your time.
/ desire You 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 that and all else to you without
a doubt. If you would try and learn to make
some excuse for my position l shall be CRATE
full. Perhaps when you are not in constant
fear of meeting me this lesson may not be so
hard.
"And 1 could not say word in reply; l
just lay sobbing like child among the cush-
ions. Then he lifted my hand and kissed
it, and knew he was gone -
''And now, Kate, that you have become
the most brilliant women in England, what
do you intend to do!''
''Who knows! have such contrary
streak in my nature. / always do the thing
l do not want to do.''
Certainly it seems like it: for, in spite of
her confession. when Lord Talbot sent the
next morning to request an interview, Kate
regretted that she had prior engagement,
but hoped to meet Lord Talbot at the Ouch
ess of Clifford that night.
My lord bit his lip angrily, but, neyerthe-
less, had been so struck with his wife's bril-
liant 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 the stranger the
most usual and commonplace acquaintance
ship. He tried to draw her into confiden-
tial mood, but she said smilingly; ''My
lord, the world supposes us to have already
congratulated each other We need not I'M
deceive it.''
He was dreadfully piqued, 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 with her splendid
toilets, her fine manners were the universal
theme. He had to endure eXtravagant COM
ments on them. Friends told him that Lady
Talbot had never been so brilliant and so be-
witching as since his return. He was con-
graduated on his influence over her.
In the meantime she kept strictly at the
distance he himself had arranged four years
ago. 1t 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's mind the
reasons against it had dwindled down to
one: but this was formidable one. 1t was
his valet. This man had known all his
matrimonial trouble, and in his own way
sympathized with them. He was bitterly
averse to Lord Tal5ot's making any conces-
sions to my lady. One night, however, he
received E=9founi shock.
"Simmons," said Lord Talbot, very de-
cidedy, ego ask Lady Talbot if she will do
me the honor to receive a 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 left after two hours visit. The next
night he stayed still longer. My lady had
no other engagement, and he quite forgot
the one he had made to be present at the
Marquis of Stairs wine supper.
Tie following week my lady received
every morning a basket of wonderful flowers
and a little note with them containing a
hope that she was in good health.
One morning she was compelled to say
that she was not very well, and Lord Talbot
was SO concerned that lie sent Simmons to
ask her if he might eat with her. Ny lady
was graciously willing, and Lord Richard
was quite excited by the permission. He
changed his morning gown and cravat sew
eral tines quite regardless of Simmons pc
cular face, and with many misglvings as to