The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-06-08

soon after she came down, she gave
her suitor an opportunity of a tete-a-
tete, from which he emerged an en-
gagged man. In couple of hours
Lady Boledover, in a state of raptur-
Gus satisfaction, bad taken steps to
have the news of the engagement diff
fused to all whom it might concern.
Here, indeed, was luck. Worridon
was only just in time. That same
afternoon telegram arrived for Miss
Schweingold. The Senator'S illness
had taken a most alarming turn, and
his daughter was summoned to Cannes
NJ once. II was too late TO start that
day, but arrangements were at once
made for her to leave on the following
morning. Lady Boledover, of course,
directly suggested that Lord Worridon
should escort his financee, and secured
at the same time travelling compan-
ion of mature years, for the sake Of
propriety. Miss Schweingold seemed
strangely undesirous OF her lovers
company, but on Lady Boledover rep
resenting the extreme desirablity of
his lordship seeing Mr.. Schweingold
before the worst happened the young
lady was obliged to give in. The
truth was, of course, that the Countess
was extremely anxious that her son
should keep his prize in sight now that
he had secured it.
The whole party, accordingly, left
London on the following morning. On
the journey Lord Worridon perceived
that bis tinancee was aoutely distressed
at the sad interruption of her stay in
London. She sat for most of the time
in a corner of the carnage and for the
greater part she remained silent occa-
sionally, however, she gave way to
hysterical outbursts, half of grief, half
of laughter. 1t was quite relief to
his lordship when they at last reached
Cannes and learned, as they did direct
ly they arrived at Mr.. Schweingold's
hotel, that the crisis was passed and
that the eminent millionaire was in a
fair way towards recovery. ~
Lord Worridon, of course, put up at
the same hotel. He had not been there
very long before he received message
that Miss Schweingold would like to
see him, and in few moments he was
in private room waiting for the heir
ess. But, to his great surprise, it was
not Miss Schweingold, but another
lady who presently entered-a lady,
young, pretty, prettier, if possible,
than Miss Schweingold, but darker and
somewhat more delicate, and also un.
mist ak ably American. f.i .
81 beg your pardon, Lord Worridon,
she said, coming at once to the point
with the directness of her nation, 'but
have to offer you and your family a
very humble apology. l am Miss
Schweingold, daughter of Senator Elias
X. Schweingold." .... -..-
Lord Worridon gazed at the fail
speaker IN blank amazement. q.
''You, madam y he gasped as soon
as he could find his tongue. "Why
what the" ....
"Allow me to explain, ny Lord, anG
believe me that l am most ashamed tC
have to make such an explanation te
| you personally. When l landed a
Liverpool fortnight ago from tn,
Etruria I at once received Telegram
Informing me that my father wa
seriously i'll and requesting me to come
on direct to him here. What was
to do' All the arrangements had beer
made for my presentation, and it wa
most important that | should be pre-
sented before starting on our Cont
mental tour. Ore of my friends sug
gested that | should travel on her,
alone, and send my maid, Clara Find
ers, who was about my own age anC
size aud singularly lady-like girl, t.
personate me in London. Had l beer
allowed time TO reflect l should hav,
seen the improperly of so doing al
strongly as l do now. But l had nj
time, and | was also most glad of al
opportunity of escaping the ridiculou
fuss of the drawing-room which | ha'
always hated, but which l knew pap
would Insist on my going throug
sooner or later. Accordingly, it wa
arranged that Clara should go on t
London in my name, and the rest yo
know. a...
sand do You mean to tell me- erie
Lord WorridoD, in whose breas
humiliation, disappointment, and rag
were struggling for the mastery, 'tha
you have allowed Lady Boledover t
chaperon Your maid, have allowed you
maid to be presented to the Queen at
drawing-room, and have actually pei
mitted her TO engage herselt"-hi
lordship's tongue shrank from the meI
} ton of this last horror.
"Please do me the justice to believ
: that l never foresaw or dreamed of th
} last result" said the lady. "Bat no
|, that the thing is done | trust that
: may look to your lordship to keep Ii
! thing secret You will see my reaso
! for this request. Should the true fac
become known, not only am / in IL
: position of not having been TO cour
, but l fear there will be very littl
chance of my being able to get pr
sented hereafter"
"Then upon my word" said Lol
Worridon, whose rage and mortifc
g tion had got the better of his sense
: politeness, 81 decline to pledge myse
e to anything of the kind. rather r
tgard it as a duty to expose such ,
e audacious imposture."
t "Your lordship will remember tn
you stand at present. engaged to mar
a Miss Clara Flinders. Before you final
Q refuse my request let me remind y,
n that your promise was made indepe
t IDENTIFY of the girls rank or fortur
J. Here is a letter which Clara has Civ
me, and which / can hardly think yo
:" lordShip would care TO have read in
!. court of justice. Listen:
I "Mr Own SWEET ONE.-For ] f,
I you are mine aud mine alone-in 4
agitation of telling you my love l fe
a | may not have repudiated with I
e warmth it meiited your suggesti
that sordid motives might have infiut
IS ced my feelings toward you. For he,
e, ems sake, dearest, do not allow a
a such base suspicion of me to mar I
le eternal happiness. Believe me, my d