The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-10-02
BARREN H0N0RS.

nothing from our "eii O'in
save well formed noses. white hands. and
low. cultivated voices. Ny mother was
a proud and courageous woman. 80
scarce was money with us that we carly
learned TO rise from a daintily served din
ner cruelty hungry. and darn and redarn
orr spotlessly clean though simple
dresses. Poor mother, hers was a stern
rule. but think Of the long hours during
which she played the part Of houscaeoper,
poycracss and sea-Stress. and marvel at
her strength OF mind and body.
When was II was invited to spend
n few months with our fathers cousin a
Mrs Beaumont. who lived IN great style
in London She was that most selfish OF
beings. hypOchoudriao. That ! might
do her some credit. Mrs. Beaumont or
dercd a suitable outfit for me. and hne
clothes and good food soon transformed
mo from q pale. STOPPING, dark eyed strip
Of girl into tall, upright, handsome
Young woman. Size was too hOpelessly
sunk in self TO observe the change. and 1t
was not until hcr favorito nephew cano
on his annual visit that the ''mlFaiion
which his young face too pla showed
onencd her ewes 10 the fact t-... was 81
penniless beauty, the most dangerous
thing in England. whore men and women
are seldom given in marriage, but often
bought and sold.
A scene was troublesome. therefore my
hostess contcntcd hgaself with declaring
herself worse. and ordering her doctor to
prescribe sea air Jack Beaumont was
requested 20 accompany her to the Isle OF
Wight. and ! was packed of home |
shall never forget mothers start Of sur
prise when she saw the change = my ap..
pearance. All that evening she remained
very thoughtful. and began to fear that
nv unexpected return was hardly wei
come. until two days later, when with her
sweetest smile she informed me that l
was TO put on one OF ny most becoming
dresses and bchaTe my prettiest, as she
expected an old friend 10 luncheon. My
Younger sisters were ordered of to partake
of q cold dinner in the schOOlrO0m, and
nv mother and awaited Lord Siurian in
the drawing room knew him 10 be one
of the Oldest. as TO title Of England :
peers. and heard whisper that mamma
might nave been his countess had her
Youthful beauty been made more attract
I've by the hundred thousands Of pounds
sterling which the lady that he eventually
married had brought him.
He came--a grim faced. stiff old gentle
man. who put on a double cyeglass and
scanned me closely. \ glance Of mutual
intelligence passed between mamma and
his lordship. which did not tend TO put
me al my'ease. However, smiled and
talked as well as | could. with beating
heart After luncheon | was ordered or
for a walk with the others. and that even
ing my mother kissed me- saying: Lord
Silurian will bring his son, Lord Trenton,
to call on Wednesday" There was some
thing In her look and tone that sent mo
to my bed with a sudden sinking OF
heart.
What need to dwell on the wretchcd
details of tho next few weeks. Lord
Trenton came. saw and. as it eventually
proved. conquered. thought him q most
vacant youth, but my mother explained
that ho was very much struck with me.
and such a dear, simple, shy boy. not
withstanding his great wealth and high
position.
The wedding day came. and ! had seen
my bridegroom but twice. On these oc-
casious his father had been in tho rooM
Lady S.lurian | had not seen 90 all, her
husband brought uc Il magnificent tlar2.
necklace, earrings and bracelets OF d!a.
monds-the Silurian diamonds were famed
and regretted that his wife was too
great an invalid to present them in per-
son.
| have small recollection Of the cere-
m0ny: bat remember that my fathcr-in-
law bent over and guided his sons hand
when he signed tie registry. laughing
and calling Aipi q nervous fellow. / Wrotc
my maiden name. Olive Chase, for the last
time, and Immediately after !, accom-
panied by my tathorin.law and husband.
drove 10 Li.ncstons Towers. the home Of
the Silurian family.
There ! mado a hasty dinner alone in
ouc of the magnificent rooms which had
been set apart Tor ne. and slipping on q
gorgeous wrapper | tried to forget my
woes in the PAGES Of some Of my favoritc
books. Fro long ~ tired head fell back
on The sofa cushion and | slept.
awoke with c.. ard sense of terror.
A number of wax tghts shed n soft radi-
aacc over tho handsome room, tie per
fuuc of rarc flowers llled tho air, and
bending over tie couch on which lay
his hot breath tanning my check. was tho
man had married, with an expression on
his face and in his evil, shifty eyes. which
God grant nay never see on any human
face again. For moment was para
lived with feeling Of sickcning terror;
then rose from the sofa and moved to-
ward the table.
Where are YOU going" he cried. Not
50 fast Don't you know you are mine
n0wl'
n an instant he had me in his arms.
and was holding me SO tightly clasPed Ia
his embrace that painted for BREATH
while he went on: Yes. you're mine.
safo enough now. I've got away from
that old devil who's been standing be-
tween us. lie thinks I'm safe with
Black. He's a deep one. Yes, you're
minc. and can tear your great, sad, black
ewes out, or pinch your white flesh. or
bite you until the blood comes and streaks
your beautiful limbs.
ooh, gasped. IF you are mortal. and
not ficnd. take me to Lady Silurian
take me TO your mother
NV words called forth the loudest
laughter.
LADY Silurian. he cried, you'll never
SEQ her; she's mad, as mad rs a halter;
curse her. that's where get it from.
Wcrc all mad but that old devil OF Q
father of mine, and he'd be mad too il he