Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-03-25
AN UNFINISHED WEDDING.

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cross the Himalayas2 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
tlnguished traveller and growing such
. 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,
through the former necessarily re-
mained intact, the latter was practi-
cally non-existent. He had borrowed
from his bootmaker, his tailor and his
jewellers.
SGambling, racing and women bad,
in fact, ruined him. But still his title
and position had a marketable value;
for his was one of the oldest and most
distinguished families of England.
But this marketable value was now
only of one kind. The Jews and boot
makers would no longer listen to him,
even through he was the handsomest
man of his day, with the most perfect
manners, and one of the pets of that
small circle of society which sits up
aloft like party of cherubs, regard
ing scornfully the morals and manners
of the respectable folks below. But in
spite Of the lost credit of Lord Verrl-
ner among the money lenders he was
still spoiled darling among the wo-
men. And it occurred to him one
day that here was his market He
must do the usual thing; marry mon
ey which wanted title in exchange.
Thinking the thing over, he saw
that most of his fellows who had sue.
ceeded in getting out of similar
predicament by these means had mar
ried American girls. This, he
thought would be a tolerably easy
thing to do. English women ap.
peared to him to require more atten.
tion, and to be less business-like and
more sentimental In their matrimonial
affairs. He decided to look out for
an American. Verriner believed he
understood women thoroughly. He
was an excellent actor, and could
cloak himself with a languid and
profoundly bored manner which was
a great success among the women o1
his own social status. He preserved
this intense languor always when in
society, except in the smoking room
for, as he we'll knew, it was safe.
1t prevented his ever getting into ho,
water. Underneath this quiet sur,
face volcano blazed, and very un-
pleasant volcano too. Verriner had
the most frightful temper, which his
lady friends, his servants, his horses
and dogs could testify to. The two
first left him; the two last showed
their resentment in different ways.
He was never safe from a bite in his
own stables; and his dogs kept out OF
sight.
This was the man who, month or
two after he had made up his mind to
do il had discovered a new American
beauty, just over from the States 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 lively
manner, which contrasted well with
the profound languor he alwaws main
tanned in her presence. His hand
some 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
conld not resist so big catch as this;
it was worth all her greenbacks to en-.
ter the Marlborough House, set under
the wing of this Quilted, handsome fel-
low. And 30, when Verriner lazily
but respectfully proposed Hetty Leigh
accepted him with open and undls-
guised delight. In fact, she clapped
her hands as soon as the thing was
done, and SAID, tMy! won't the girls
at home stare?"
Mrs. Leigh nearly falnted-as near
ly as a wiry middle-aged American
lady can-when she heard the good
news. She had come over with one
object: To marry her Hetty to a
lord. And it was all "fxed up be-
fore the season was fairly begun. And
Hetty's husband was such q handsome.
quiet man; and Hetty's wedding would
be the grandest event in the London
season!
1t was all settled, and everything
went merrlly. Hetty and her mother
we're asked to all the best houses; the
girl who is to be Lady Verriner must
be royalty entertained by everybody,
even though many of the women
would have been glad to throw vltriol
in her pretty, piquant face. How
Hetty dressedl Her toilets alone were
enough to make any woman hate her,
even If she had not the additional and
nnpardonable privilege of being rich
enough to pay for Lord Verriner to be
always carrying her cloak and fan, and
keeping out of the way of her train.
Well, the sime came for the we'd
ding. 1t was at the very height OF
the season, and as Mrs Leigh had fore.
seen, it was to be one of its events.
More than one great parsonage had
promised to be present, including that
very great person who gives the tone
To English society. The noble ones ot