The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-03-24
A MARCHIONESS.
WHY Brave Hetty Leigh Rejected
q Lord.


Japan and Timbuctoo, and attempt to
cross the Himalayasp The noble Earl
only tried to get married once, and in
the story Of that wedding is contained
the reason for his becoming such dis
tinguished traveller and growing such
very long beard.
Lord Verriner had been going the
pace ever since he came into his title
and got hold Of his property; and, at
the time Of which am speaking, though
the former necessarily remained intact,
the latter was practically non-existent.
He had borrowed from his boot-maker,
his tailor and his jewellers, after having
previously exhausted the patience and
generosity Of money lenders. Gambling,
racing. etc., had in fact ruined him.
But still his title and position had a
marketable value; for he was one of
the oldest and most distinguished fami-
lies in England. This marketable value
was now only OF one kind. Lenders
and bootmakers would no longer listen
to him, even though he was the hand
soonest man of his day, with the most
perfect manners, and one of the pets Of
chat small circle Of society which sits
up aloft like a party of cherubs, re-
garding scornfully the morals and
manners of the respectable folks below.
But in spite Of the lost credit Of Lord
Verriner among the money lenders he
was still spoiled darling among the
women. And it occurred to him one
day that here was his market. He must
do the usual thing; marry money which
wanted title in exchange.
Thinking the thing over, he saw that
most OF his fellows who h = succeeded
IN fgt ding out Of similar redicament
by, thso means had married American
girls. This, he thought, would be a
tolerably easy thing to do. English
women appeared to him to require
more attention and to be less business
Nike and more sentimental in their mat
rimonial affairs. He decided to look
eat for an American. Verriner believed
he understood women thoroughly. He
c was IN excellent actor, and cOuld CLOAK
himself with . languid snS profoundly
bored manner which was great sue
ssss among the women Of his own So
cisl status. He preserved this languor
always, whom in society. except in the
smokinR-roOm, for, az he well knew, 1t
was safe. It prevented his ever getting
into hot water. Underneath this quiet
surface volcano blased, and very
unpleasant volcano, too. Ver,.ner had
the most frightful temper which he was
accustomed to let loose upon his lady
friends, his servants, his hsses and
dogs. The two first left him he last
showed their resentment X fferent
ways. He was never safe Ae "a bite
in bis own stables; and his wv kept
out Of his sight. <
This was the man who, month or
two after he had made up his mind to
do it, had discovered . new Am. -it,an
beauty, just over from the Ststea for
the London season, with dollars and
greenbacks enough to reinstate any
ruined lord. Verriner thought her
really very tolerable, and was much
amused BY her independent and livsly
manner, which cOntrasted well with
the profound languor he always main
tanned in her presence. His handsome
face, his intense quiet and repose and
the position he could give her, all
pleased Hetty Leigh. for they had for
her the charm Of novelty. She could
not resist so big catch as this; it VA
worth all her greenbacks to enter the
Marlborough House set under the wing
of this quiet, handsome fellow. And
90. when Verriner. lazily but respect
fully proposed, Hetty Leigh accepted
him with open and undisguised delight
In fact, she clapped her hands ~ soon
as the thing was done, and said: my
won't the girls at home stare"
Mrs. Leigh nearly fainted-as nearly
a. . wiry middle-aged American lady
can-when she heard the good news
She had come over with one object; Il
marry her Hetty to Lord. And it wa
I'll liked up!' before the season wa
lAirly begun. And Hetty's husband
vas such a handsome. quiet man; an(
Hetty's wedding would be the grand
est event in the London season!
1t was all settled, and every thins
vent merrily. Hetty and her mothe
we're asked to all the best houses; thu
eirl who was to be Lady Verriner mus
e royalty entertained by every body
even though many of the women woul'
have been glad to throw vitFiol in he
pretty, piquant face. How Hett,'
ressed! Her toilets isne were enosS'