Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-07-19
For the Sake of His Honor.
BY E. A. NJ.

s'Well, father, what is it ?" said
Hugh Fortesque, as he shut the door
behind him, and waited to know
why the general had sent for him.
"Only this-that il you want to
save the Hall from being sold, you
must set about fulfilling the family
compact at once"
The young mans handsome face
clouded, for the family compact was
that he should marry his cousin,
Marian Chesterfield, and win the
broad lands of the Chesterfield es-
tate by the match. Now somebody
had played him an unpleasant trick
last Valentines Day, and sent him
the photograph of short, stumpy
girl, with homely features, under
which was written "Your future
wife" He had thrown it Indignant
ly into the fire, and persistently re-
fused all invitations to meet his
young cousin. The idea of marry
ing her for her money, was utterly
distastful to him, and there was no
chance of marrying her for love,
with such an ugly face as that.
II always looked upon that COM
pact as fudge" hesaid, after pause.
General Fortesque frowned.
"Then let me tell you that you are
very much mistaken. You are
bound in honor to marry the girl,
and if she were pauper instead of
an heiress, it would not free you
from the obligation. She is staying
with Lady Mornington, who gave
you general invitation for Septem-
Der, so you can run down there to-
morrow and settle it at once. Half
my creditors would be content to
wait, il they thought !, on were sure
of this Chesterfield girl"
Thus adjured, Hugh had nothing
to do but consent; and a few days
afterwards saw him at The Chase,
Lady Mornington's place, and he
was Informed that Miss Chesterfield
and Miss Wyndham were in the
garden. He made his way across
the lawn, and found that two girls
were sitting in low chairs under a
willow.
Directly they caught sight of him,
they got up from their seats, and
advanced to meet him. In the one
who was nearest to him, he recog-
nized the original of the photo, and
his heart went down into his boots;
the other held back, as il overcome
with shyness, and dropped her sunny
head, as ii afraid to meet his eye.
"How dye do, Marian ?" said
Hugh, shaking hands with the first.
She looked rather taken aback, as
if she had not expected to be address
ed by her christian name, then turn
ed in hurry to her companion.
"Captain Fortesque, let me intro
duce you to my dearest friend, May"
Hugh bowed low, whilst the girl
shyly extended a small, white hand,
her long lashes resting on her cheek.
He involuntarily gave it tender
squeeze, for she looked so bewitch-
ingly pretty, that he could not help
it, and the blue eyes looked for one
moment into his.
They dazzled him as no woman's
had ever dazzled him before, and
Marian watched him with twinkle
in her own. Then she invited him
to sit down and have cup of tea
after his dusty journey, and they
were soon chatting amicably round
the little tea-table on the lawn.
Hugh addressed his conversation
to Marian, as in duty bound, telling
her all about his life in Canada, and
the loneliness OF his home at the
Hall since his mothers death.
"How I should like to see it," said
Marian, as she filled up his cup; 81
am so fond of an old place like that. !"
"Won't you come over some day
and make my fathers acquaintance?
Perhaps, Miss-Miss." stammering,
for the name of Wyndham had slip
ped out of his head.
"Call her May" said Marian, with
a mischievous smile; tive are all
cousins here.'
MAY l ?" said Hugh, getting
rather red, but subduing his inward
astonishment.
Certainly, if you wish it, / mean