Montgomery County sentinel., 1890-08-15

THE BRASs-BOUND BOX.

".Jack," said Lady Bargemont, II
do verify believe that you are really
fond Of me now. T"
"0f course | am fond of you, Het-
ty."
But you wouldn't have been fond of
me, Jack, if Casterton hadn't been born
cant think why the peer married the
parsons daughter Jack, why did you
marry me? me of all people in the
world T? | hadn't money, and you might
have married in your own set if you'd
wanted to- Tell me, dear, why did
King Cophetua wed with the Beggar
Maid ?"
"lfs funny thing, Hetty," said his
lordship with smile OF affection "that
Bluebeard's wife is always hankering
after the key of the blue closet, and, as
the advertisement says, won't be happy
till she gets it. I'll tell you why mar
ried you, little Hetty; married you
as duty, dear; and because | was
proud and miserable man, hopeless
and childless, the last of my line, |
didn't want the Bargemont title to die
out; and married you, Hetty, because
you were the prettiest, wholcsomest,
healthiest, honebtest little maid | had
clapped my eyes upon, and because
there was no nonsense and nothing NOR
bid about you. | wasn't in love with
you, Hctty, when married you; /
don't mind confessing that did it as a
duty; but I've learned to love you you
healed my wounds, and-well, you're
Casterton's mother. And you agreed
to marry nc out of pity; | know you
did,"
"But / was in love with you, Jack,
all the same for pity, we know, is akin
to love; and know you do love me,
Jack, and dearly; and its because you
do love me that you're going to tell me
all about her."
And then Lord Bargemont sighed.
"If | must tell you, must" he said
"and when | have told you, Hetty, you
you will pity me all the more came
into the Bargemont title when | was
boy of fifteen the court of chancery
took care of me, and hadn't real
friend in the wide world. went to
Oxford; | was toadied, caressed and
flattered, because | was lord and rich.
Then | went into the guards, and | saw
life.
81 drained the cup Of pleasure to tho
dregs, and / was ablase man Of the world
at five and twenty. People looked up
on me just as big fish that had to be
caught at any price. Willy mothers and
chaperons threw their flies in vain |
was absolutely heart-whole; and though
they tried their most killing bats
though husbands and uncles stood by
with gaff or landing net ready to d. their
duty-yet the skillful fishers, meh and
women, failed to hook me. But met my
fate at last.
"Shc was very beautiful to all men 5
eyes--clever, accomplished and ambi-
tious, well-born and we'll bred, an only
daughter, ready to do her duty, and to
sell herself to the highest bidder. She
was magnificent animal. | don't be-
lieve she had heart; but her imperial
beauty attracted me she was the cyno-
sure Of every eye. proposed to Lady
Blanche Middleton, was accepted, aud
we were married. For month | was
happy-happy as child in the possess
sion Of new and expensive toy then [
discovered that my handsome wife did
not love me. But she gave me no cause
for jealousy, though became very anx-
ious on her account.
"She took no interest in anything
she was subject to severe headaches,
so she told me she exhibited great
dislike to society, and was accustomed
TO shut herself up with her maid in heI
private apartments for hours together