Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1892-04-14
charming daughter were atthat mo-

her part to visit them at the manor
house, which he declared he felt great
regret at having to decline in conse-
quence OF the melancholy position OF
his nephew.
The sound OF violin and a "Now
take your places, take your places
from the farmers windows opposite
drew off the attention OF. the party for
a minute.
ooh, my dear, you must not mind
this remarked the Colonel, it's the
anniversary OF Mrs. Peabody's we'd
ding day. and Sir Charles is obliged,
OF course, to open the dance with her.
See he is proposing her husband S
health, and ell, what, kissing Grace
II cant believe my eyes, cried
Matilda, in a rage, stepping forward
to enter the house. ~ will confront
and shame him.
Matilda, my daughter" said Lady
Beauchamp, leading her away; "think
OF your dignity: don't degrade your
self; let us leave this disgraceful scene. !"
"Oh." said the Colonel, as they
walked off lit is quite plain that it
i, time for us to prepare our ultima
tum now. Well, Charles, how do you
like your dance?"
But when the Colonel told him that
his wish was gratitied and that Lady
Vavasour had Just departed in a per-
feet fury at witnessing his dancing
drinking and kissing performances, the
poor husband was perfectly bewilder-
ed; he refused to sign the ''ultimatum, y
as his uncle called it.
Matilda was little confused, and
had scarcely recovered as the Colonel
came up and inquired for Lady Beau
champ.
Matilda set to work to coax the
Colonel and bring him over to per-
suade her husband to apologize and
make it up at once.
The Colonel, like an old soldier,
saw his advantage, and told her that
it was impossible to bring about rec
onciliation; that the character Of
Sir Charles had been greatly altered
from it's original gentleness and docil-
ity; that, in fact, he had become a
complete tyrant, land in the first
place he requires you to write him an
atfectionate letter.
"That will do"
eyes, my dear niece" said the COL
onel, "and express your sorrow and
regret"
: "Me. Regret Confess was
in the wrong! He should do it first, at
all events"
"Then, Lady Vavasour, do not de-
tain me. | know he will refuse"
Presently Lady Beauchamprejoined
her daughter. Matilda acquainted her
with the proposals OF the Colonel for
an accommodation, and OF her indig-
nant refusal to apologize or express
regrets.
"rhat is my own dear darling
daughter. How could he think us
capable OF such a weakness, when Ire
nearly caused your death?'
"Don't say too much about that,
mamma; for, to tell you the truth, my
life never was in the least danger"
"What the - is that?" whispered
Sir Charles to the Colonel, as they
listened unseen.
"Not ilr danger?" exclaimed Lady
Beauchamp. "But unless the wagon
load OF hay had been there you would
have killed yourself"
"les, mamma, but knew it was
there before threw myself outn'
Both ladies now prepared them
selves to receive the Colonel, who
came forward from the lodge-with q
very grave and important air-hold-
ing Il paper in his hand.
"Ladies," he said, 81 must bid you
farewell; Sir Charles and | start at
once for Constantinople"
"Constantinople!" cried Matilda;
"that dreadful place where they have
SO many wives! Oh, mamma! And
you, sir-did you not try to persuade
him?"
"What could do, my dear? You
declined his former proposals, and
now he demands things-absurd
things-unheard-of things-conditions
quite Observation-Disclosures con-
ditions."
II should like, nevertheless, to know
what they are" said Matilda.
"He says, Lady Vavasour, it was
through the window that you de.
parted; it is through the window that
you must return, " said the Colonel,
finishing hesentence and DOLLY taking
a pinch OF snnff.
Mrs. Grace Peabody burst out
laughing; Lady Beauchamp pro.
nounced the proposition infamous
Matilda wept.
Lady Beauchamp went off in arage
and the Colonel sat down by the tree
where he was joined by Sir Charles.
On sudden they caught sight o.
Matilda and Grace Peabody carrying
ladder between them, and, much tc
their surprise, could see them, as they
concealed themselves behind the tree
place the ladder against the balcony
up which Matilda mounted, and actu
ally got over to the window as i
about to enter, as Grace held the lad
der at the bottom.
Sir Charles could stand it no longer
but broke away from the Colonies
grasp, rushed through the lodge anC
opened the window, admitting Matilda
just as Lady Beauchamp entered.
But before the dowager could assert
herself, the husband and wife were
clasped in each others arms, and al
ended happily, with the approval ant