Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1892-04-14

by showing too much happiness and
devotion. Even the caprices OF the
charming Matilda-and she had them
rendered her thousand times more
engaging in his eye, and it cost HIM
nothing to give way to them.
1t was about this time that ne
dispatched letter to his uncle, Colo
mel Navasour OF three or four pages OF
panegyrc, crowded with notes OF adj
miration, which the old bachelor per-
used, as he said with terror.
During the second month Sir Charles
began to perceive that Matilda Whom
until then he had believed all perfec-
tom had some trifling faults, and
even the first time he hazarded a slight
difference OF opinion.
"Ah, Charles" she said, "you love
me no longer
Not love you" exclaimed he;
'rather than think so do what you
please, act as you will, order, com
mand," and SO the lady had lIer own
way.
Her mother, too, with whom he was
always in the wrong, came to pass
few days with them, after which time
they had not a peaceabe moment.
Ashamed at last OF his weakness, the
young husband resolved to seize on
the first preteXt, no matter what, for
recovering his authority.
They were invited to a ball at a
neighboring country seat, where they
ta,t,
widow, Lady Oussulton, OF whom
Lady Navasour-thanks to the kind
offices of her mother-had taken it in
to her head to be cautiously Jealous.
Matilda refused to co. and absolute
ly forbade her husband to 90, too.
But he stood firm, and told her it
would be an act OF marked disrespect
if they were both to refuse the invita-
ton; that she might do as she pleased
but that he should most certainly &C
cept it, even ii he went alone.
Lady Beauchamp at once said that
he was tyrant, who wanted to MUIR
der her poor child; to which Sir
Charles responded by telling her plain
ly not to interfere bctwiXt husband
and wife.
The night came. Sir Charles felt q
little uneasy at his wiie's silence, but
plucked up courage and resolved to 90
through With it. As the clock struck
he rosete depart, upon which Matilda
rushed to the window, threw it wide
open, and, witha terrible calmness in
her eye, told him that ii he stirred q
step she would brow herself out!
Before he could aprroach-before
he could prevent her-she had precipi-
tated herself from it, BY provi-
Dental chance, however, there
happened to be q wagon loaded with
hay standing Just beneath, and she
fell on it without hurting herself in
the least.
Lady Beauchampimmediately took
her daughter to the manor-house,
leaving Sir Charles in the elegant
lodge where they had spent the honey
moon.
And so matters had remained for a.
month, Sir Charles lingering at the
lodge, without being able to catch
sight of his wife; until at last, driven
to despair, the fond young husband
had written a letter, imploring for
giveness, the delivery of which he en-
trusted to Mrs. Grace Peabody, the
wife of a farmer whose dwelling
abutted on the park gates.
But the messenger returned in do
lorous mood, with no answer from
Matilda; her mother was with her,
and she took the note from her, in
spite of the information that it was a
letter which Sir Charles had written
to his wife, and to no one else.
"No," said Grace to Sir Charles"
she never answered word to that;
but she sat herself down and scrib-
bled away, and at last she handed it
to me, saying, Give the poor mad
man this"
1t was a note to Sir Charles, COM
mencing: This is our ultimatum.
My daughter will only consent to re-
celve you on one cOndltlOn-that
you acknowledge your fault, return
to the manor-house and make an
ample apology both to me and to
her"
At this moment chaise drove
rapidly up to the lodge-gate and
forthwith descended a stout elderly,
military-looking gentleman, inquiring
his way to the manor-house and
grumbling at the post boys ignorance,
which he said was all owing to "these
Railways"
Sir Charles gladly recognized his
uncle, and speedily found consolation
in acquainting him with his miseries
and some comfort in asking his ad-
vice and assistance.
"This morning" he said, ri refused
to 60 to meet OF the Pytchley hounds,
because it took place in LORD Oussul-
tons park, and it might give Matil-
da, or rather her mother, room to
talk
"You should have done nothing of
the kind" remarked his uncle. .
"What, Charles, would you pass all
your life in Lady Beauchamp's lead
ing-strings? No, you shall 60 to the
hunt. Make yourself happy. Sing
dance. laugh, chuck the lasses under
the chin, kiss the pretty girls; and
never fear but I'll bring you through"
In half an hour there was Sir
Charles footing it away merrily in the