Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1889-06-01
looked long and earnestly at the pictured

'"H - hFr anu NatOF-Ald then he turned
Slowly and looked az Mr. Ford again.
The C~arlswoods hay, fallen very low
during my lifetime" he said; their name
IS SMILED, their honor tarnished. But |
have not fallen so low "a To allow a man
OF that kind to make his home here"
"A man OF what kind'" asked MIR. Ford,
In surprise.
That ~low-born, i'll bred radical. |
should expect all the dead and gone Carls-
woods to rise up in wrath against me if l
even thought OF such a thing"
Then what do you propose?" asked the
lawyer.
His lordship paused before he replied.
Perhaps my plan may not meet with
your appreciation" he said, "but | may
tell you at once that | am Indifferent about
that. This is my fixed resolve, and Meth
er heaven nor earth shall move me from
IT. will adopt my daughters child-this
bright, beautiful lsmay. ] will make her
a wealthy beiress. She shall have the
large fortune that was to have been divid-
ed between my two younger boys. l will
adopt her son. He shall be my heir. He
shall be Lord Carlswood Of Bralyn after
me. But-listen TO me-, Ford-I do all this
solely on the condition that she gives up
this low-born husband of hers and con
sents never to SEQ him again. II she will
not agree the whole matter must end-she
may remain where she is, and | will find
another heir"
There was another long silence, during
which the singing OF the birds and the
Whispering of the wind among the trees
could be plainly heard; and then Mr.
Ford's voice broke the silence.
1T is not right, my lord" he said, alb
ruptly. Such a separation as that is
against all laws human and divine it ia
against the customs OF men and the will
of Heaven"
Nevertheless, it must take place. | will
never receive the husband here"
Yet you would receive his child"
II is Of my w. race. but his father
is alien To it. He has noble blood in his
veins. His father has none. He has no
claim ON me, nor will | ever acknowledge
enc"
my lord, " said the lawyer, II will GO
still further. | will speak even more
strongly. Wat You propose to do is
wicked. PG-t,l the word. it IL simply
wicked, and will have nothing TO do
with it,"
That is at your own option" returned
Lord Carlswood, haughtly. If you de-
cline 10 manage my affairs, there are plen-
ty who will gladly undertake the office.
Ny resolve is made, and ! shall not depart
from It. II my granddaughter viii give
up her husband, aud promise never to see
him again. will receive her here: if not,
We continue strangers. Nothing will In
duce me to change my resolve"
The tive gentlemen were standing now
facing each other, each one excited and
eager.
What has the man done. my ,ord, shat
you should seek to tempt from him a wife
he loves' II is not his fault that she is a
CGrl.wood. He gave her all be had-his
love, his heart. his namc; he has been
proud 10 work for her; he loves her. Why
should you part them? What has he donor
Why should ne suffer-"
e, have suffered myself said the cid
lord, tremulonsly; every one sulTers."
How would you have felt. my lord. IL
anyone had sought 10 tempt Lady Carls-
wood from your"
The master Of Bralyn held m his flnt
white hand with "A warming gesture.
lyon have the privilege Of speaking
plainly" he said, do not abuse il. d.
not institute comparisons; there can bt
none between such "A man and myself
II is absurd to suppos that he would have
sen tive or refined feelings. | have n'
doubt that "A goodly sum of money vii
Jake ample amends to him for the loss OF
his wife. What do you say, Mr.. Fordf"
~ say, may Heaven pardon you, my
lordr'
"Thank you,' was the sarcastic return.
THE honor Of my name is dearer to me
than anything on earth besides-how dear.
even you could tell. | should sully it IL J
offered that ma a home here"
"You suily it far more by seeking t.
part those whom God has joined. ny
lord" continued the lawyer, with passion
ate eioquence. II no longer wonder at the
French Revolutiou-I shall wonder no
more at the revol, OF the poor against tn,
rch-if these be the WAYS in which the
yreat men OF the "orld treat the humber
mes. IL you had two doves-two tender
rds-you would hesitate before yot
btrted them: bnt this man. win a man
on. Keen TO suffer. With a mans heart
all Of ieep affections, you will torture
nd not even wi taat the torture is pain
Lord Carls ooi SIN led, and 40 grea'
n ger darkeued mis- face.
like YOU none the less, Ford, for You
c1tnk speaking: there are few who woul
are SAY - muci TO me. NV opinion l.
till uachan yAi: | sail receive my gran!
aid smay and her sou only on thos
ondltions. VIII leave you to conside
he matter. II you decline the furtner
management Of my affairs, SO be It'll
not, | will authorize yen 10 make all ar
engagements"
Left nv himself. the lawyer thought the
matter over.
Il, | refuse some one else will do IT," he
said-"some one who has no influence over
him. and who can never do anything for
tleir good: | have some little influence,
and I will use 1T for their benefit. Let
him nave Ismay and her son his hear,
vii soften in time, and then ! shall be
able TO persuade him to receive the nus
band, too"
When, afterward. Lord Carlswood came
for his answer, Mr.. Ford said
II viii un lerLake the aff lir, my lord.
but let me tell You first that | do so under
protest. In my opinion the whole thing is
cruel and wicked"
Thar Same day he returned TO Ashburn-
ham. He ried To comfort himself by say
ing thar il wou.d all come ri mt in time.