Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-12-11
LYDY MARY MINX'S REPENTANCE

Lady Mary Mink was clever, strong
minded, and bad tempered, and she
imagined she held her good -natured,
vain old mother, the countess dow
ager of Sicily, in complete subordlna-
ton. When, therefore, one morning
at breakfast the latter informed her
that she had on the previous evening
become engaged to the able young
actor, Mr.. st. George Coningsby, her
ladyship was both surprised and IN
dignant, and expressed her opinion OF
the countess and the countess be-
throthed with great vigor and little
equivOcation. As long as the remarks
were applied only to herself, the coun-
tess core them IN her usual meek and
submissive manner; but when Lady
Mary proceeded to denounce Mr.. Con.
ingsby in all the terms of her varied
and powerful vocabulary, she sudden
" became so exceedingly wroth, and
used such strong language, that her
daughter found herself, to her amaze
ment, completely eclipsed. She then
felt she had gone too far, and that it
would be wise to withdraw her obser-
vations and express her regret for
them. This. she accordingly did, as
soon as her mothers eloquence allow
ed her an opportunity. But the effect
Of her remarks was not effaced
Henceforth the countess bore
herself toward her daughter
with a GOODNESS and hauteur to
which that young lady was not &C
customed, and which she did not
like.
Lady Mary knew well the hand
some young actor to whom the coun,
tess had been engaged; and, before
that event took place, she had admir-
ed him very much, and even liked
him. But since his engagement she
absolutely detested him. His presence
was to her almost lntolerable; and
when he came, as he now frequently
did, to lunch at the doWager's house,
she usually found some excuse for
being from home. Occasionally she
had to meet him, and then she watch
ed his behavior very closely. As far
as mere bearing was concerned, she
lad to admit to herself that he was q
perfect gentleman. He was easy and
polished in his manners, and there
was about him certain stateliness OF
mien which, though to an unfriendly
critic like herself might SAVIOR of the
stage, sat well on one Of his noble and
distinguished appearance. But though
In these respects he was all that one
could desire, every time Lady Mary
saw him she disliked him more and
more. To her keen eye it was clear
Al, L, l11-1
affection for the fond dowager. Again
and again she saw in the smile he cast
upon his betrothed something that
seemed to her very like a sheer. She
noticed-as every body but the coun-
tess did-that ia company his atten-
ton was directed, not to the young
and more attractive ladies. but to the
wealthy. To another widow of very
hOmely looks, but of great fortune,
Mrs Blunt, he was almost as affection.
ate in his manner as toward his be-
trothed Before she had watched him
long, therefore, Lady Mary became
convinced Gif she had ever doubted it,
that he was nothing more or less than
an unprincipled fortune-hunter.
Under these circumstances, since
she wished to believe it, she had lit
tie difficulty in persuading herself
that it was not merely her interests,
but her duty, to break off the engage
ment; and she was resolved it should
be. AS to the means, she felt no
scruples. IF she could find any, be
they fair or foul, she would willingly
use them.
For some time all her observation
and all her ingenuity were unsuccess-
full. The course of the engaged
couples love was, on the whole, run
ming very smooth. The dowager was
as warm and constant in her affection
for Mr.. Coningsby as ever; and if he
seemed scarcely SO attentive as at
first, he could hardly be considered
negligent. Formerly he came almost
every day to lunch, and not infre-
Quently after he had left the theatre
he would sup with them; while now
he thought two or three visits in the
course of the week quite sufficient.
This inattention (Which Lady Mary
attributed simply to his feeling secure
in his betrothed'S affections evidently
annoyed and alarmed the countess.
She seemed to suspect that someone
else was making advances to him,
and she was therefore naturally anX-
ious to have the marriage hurried on.
So it was clear that if Lady Mary
wanted to prevent it, she must take
some decisive step without delay.
Though not so regular in visiting as
formerly, Mr.. Coningsby was still
very attentive in writing 60 his be-
trothed. Every morning, as sure as
the sun, came little note to her from
him. Lady Mary sometimes, IN her
mothers absence, made voyages OF
discovery into her apartments, in or
der to study these productions. 1t
was while engaged on one of these
that a device occurred to her which,
though mean and despicable as she
knew it to be, might, she considered,
if carried out well, enable her to put
an end to the match she SO hated. 1t
was to be worked by means of a
forged note. She would write letter
purporting to be from Mr.. Coming shy