Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-02-11

thee be a-gO1nX to say. IhOu'S st going
to tell me that the young master must |
marry Miss Kate well, her is as likely |
a lass as e'er another, an I've nowt to |
say
81 was not about to tell you any
such good news. Now, Bladon, were |
you ever in the service Of Lord Airing |
ton, of Wilmington hall, Derbyshire?"
''Eh! Good Lord, what makes thee |
ask, sir?''
Then Mr.. Hardcastle read Harry Eve
sham's letter from beginning to end
The old servant never spoke during the
recital of the strange story. When it
was finished his feelings broke forth:
''It is the hand of the Almighty. And
my dead master, innocent after all of
the charge they made against him! Aye,
sir, George Arundel is the Earl Of Ar
ington."
''But can you prove it, man?"
Eyes, his father left in my hands all
his papers and testimonies"
''Then, no for England and reStitu-
ton, for his and Wanda's rights
Wanda's rights! The phrase startled
the old servant like an electric shock.
''Iwas thinking so much O the young
lord that had forgot the lady. So that
sweet maid is my masters own flesh
and blood. Bless her pretty face, al
ways loved her like my own child"
"Why, you amazing old hypocrite, you
have been plotting and planning against
her for the last two years." Mr.. Hard
castle burst forth in righteous indigna-
ton.
Nay, there thou'st wrong. I feared
the lass, but always loved her. If
had'na thought the world of her, think
thee should have stood quietly aside
an seen Master George give her ten
thousand dollars?'
"What, that money came from him?"
''Aye, sure it did. 1 found it out,
| though he did contrive to keep it so
close, but his bank-book leaked the Sc
cret''
| well. this is indeed day Of revela-
tions,'' Mr.. Hardcastle declared.
Though, as I suppose she really is his
sister, it is perhaps as well the money
came from him."
''And Hayter? We shall drop hard
on Hayter, Mr.. Hardcastle?"
"Well try" was the grim reply.
Then Mr.. Hardcastle enjoyed the de-
lightful satisfaction of revealing to the
other actors in this little drama the
startling developments of Harry's letter.
George Arundel was the least discom-
posed. He had so long felt that his
father had moved in another sphere Of
| life that he was somewhat prepared for
| the disclosure. Kate heard the news
with sad and sinking heart, for the ties
Of this new position would take the
friend she loved so far away. And as
for Wanda, she vowed she would never
give up America and Mrs. Evesham to
| -
while every nerve of her little body
thrilled with gratitude to think that
she could now in sober truth call her
darling George her brother.
So they wrote and told Harry that as
soon as Georges health permitted the
whole party would set sail for England.
CHAPTER XXI
| MR.. HARDCASTLE VENTURES.
It is necessary now to account for the
presence of the American party in Eng
land
When Mr.. Hardcastle revealed the
contents of Harry's letter to the in
mates of his house, you may be sure
there was rejoicing.
And the very next morning, when he
had settled himself in his study to
write long letter to Harry, he was
Evesham, who blushingly excused her
/ intrusion.
''My dear friend,'' she said. when she
had seated herself, 81 have come to beg
the favor of your counsel in a matter
which 1 am quite incompetent to de-
cide.''
''Ah, pray command me-" And sure
ly, Mr.. Hardcastle, there was no need
for you to leave your comfortable arm
chair and assume a far less luxurious
one, because it happened to be few
feet nearer to your interesting visitor.
''WelI, sir, you see," the lady con-
tinued, 81 have just been having most
extraordinary and unexpected inter
view with George Arundel"
"a pleasant one, l am sure"
''Well, hardly can tell. Will you
believe it, the foolish fellow has fallen
in love with my Kate, and wants to
marry her?"
81 will very readily believe it," Mr.
Hardcastle responded. ''And I think
the young gentleman exhibits excel
lent taste. But what does the lady say?'
''Oh, am afraid that she encourages
him in the proposition. But, do you not
see, Mr.. Hardcastle, that this is impos
sible?"
| II don't, indeed.
what, don't you see that, with thi!
young mans prospects of becoming the
Earl of Arlington, such match would
be-"
Unsuitable? Not bit of it. A
well brought up American girl-tht
daughter of such mother as you-is
in my opinion, match for the proudes
prince in Christendom.'
''Then you think 1 should give N,
CONSENT"
''Ifyour daughters happiness is linked
with his am sure you should. George
Arundel has in my opinion a paten
of nobility grander than that granted b.
any king. He is generous, honorable
and affectionate-what more would 20,
ask?"
You plead we'll for the young PEG
pie, Mr.. Hardcastle."
Eyes" he said. land if could onl,
plead as well for myself, Esther Eve
sham, should think myself happ,
man."
The widow flushed scarlet, but neve
helped him with a word.
81 know it is madness for me to sup