The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-01-10
CHAPTER MI,

Vane sat at the window of iirst-class
carriage, his heart stirred to deepest emo
ton, and his eyes dim with q mist like
tears. The old loves and hopes of his boy.
hood came before him. He remembered
his pretty village love Marjory Lynn, with
her rich brown hair and red-rose face
How Marjory had loved him when they
were children together! She would not
have sent him away and made his
heart ache by a few proud cold words
The old homestead, the rush of the mill
stream, the clover meadows, and the broad
river, with its green banks, all came back
clearly to his mind. What visions of great
ness had come to him there Had the!
been realized? Doubly so in many re
spects. He had never dared to hope thai
such hopors as the world had given to hin
would be his. But he was not happy; his
life was barren and empty to him. He
had given up home, father, mother, sister,
and brother; he had renounced all the
love and the friends of his youth; and in
return he had wealth, position, and honor
but no love.
"Perhaps it would have been better
for me if had stayed at the Meadow
Farm" he said to himself, "tor honor,
and riches are barren and empty without
love-"
The handsome face was Swallowed as
he stood ia the little station of Loyenham.
There, where the trees were greenest and
the land was most fair, lay the pretty town
of Holwood-the town that, as child, he
had believed to be the most wonderful in
the world; and his home, the gray farm
house, lay just beyond it. On the other
side lay the lordly lands of Kings Clyfe.
At the station carriage awaited him,
in which. he was quickly conveyed to his
destination.
Lord Charnwood met him in the hall,
welcomed him most heartily, took him to
Lady Charnwood's boudoir, and intro
duced him to his wife as an especial friend
and favOrite.
81 heard that you had not been well,
Mr.. Wharf" said her ladyship kindly
"The air Of Kings Clyffe is considered We
ry fine and brIcing. hope you will grow
well and strong in it."
Fane said to himself that he must be
out of health, for the gentle voice of Lady
Charnwood had brought tears to his eyes.
Then he was taken to his room; but Lord
Charnwood, who was really fond of him,
could not leave him long alone.
"Come out with me, Mr.. Wharf," he
said, 'and we will have stroll through
the grounds. Then we can join the ladies
at tue five O'clock tea
Nane was only too pleased to talk to his
kindly genial host while they walked
through the beautiful grounds Of Kings
Clyffe. Lord Charnwood said suddenly
81 must not forget 10 describe our party
to you. Wcare rarely fortunate. We have
just now under our roof the most beauti-
tul woman in England and the richest
peer. A suspicious combination, is it
not?"
Vane said "Yes," with white lips and
a beating heart, TO him there was but
one beautiful woman in the worid-only
one.
ave have also the greatest artist, Mr..
Holme, and one of the finest singers in
Europe, although she is not professional
Lady Fayne. Quite a galaxy, is it mott"
But Vane asked with feverish lips
"Who is 'the most beautiful woman in
Englandr"
Lord Charnwood lsuhged.
"Not TO know that is to be out OF the
world" he said. "Tbe loycliest woman
in England is Lady Lilias Audley; and
she, am proud TO say, is now visiting my
wife"
Vsne did not swoor which seemed to
him afterwards ,..I- :, hat wonderful, nor
did he crv TAT, hut ne walked Oh for some
minutes in silence by Lord Chsrnwood's
side.
"You must put on strong armour, Mr..
Wharf," continued his lordship, "for be-
sides being the most beautiful she is con.
sidered the proudest girl in England"
How the words siung him! He saw
again the beautiful proud face bending
over the meadsv-sweet. He heard again