The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1894-11-21
} CHAPTER H.

Lady Lydia was woman thoroughly dis
gusted with so-called society men, the ms
jority Of whom she considered either insipid,
or heartless; whilc she looked upon ali q
moro or less selfish. aiss
Being . girl Of quick perceptions, she gen.
orally managed TO form tolernbly correct
opinion OF mans character during the, first
few interviews with hum.
She was woman Of strong physique,
strong will and strong intellect. An only
child and the owner Of enormous property,
she was the target for the fiattery and sell
fshnims Of an hundred designing advent
urers. Many OF, her admirers wore sincere
in thcir devotion, however, for her dispo-
sition and mental cndowments were not one
whit inferior TO her physical and pecuniary
attractions. But she never yet had seen
any one who had inspired her with any thing
like deep interest; and she was too sin
cere, and possessed far too much iindiyid-
uality Of character, to desire . match for
mere honor OF oonvenience's salre. II she
svcr thought Of marriage ct sllAand Il W. .
subject Ahst rasoly troubled her-her future
husband VIA clearly defined In her imagina-
ton - man whom she could love, respect
end, perhaps, four. Z "
l6he, tod, had .beon struck with the cd
mesa and nne expression Of Fairfax's
countenance ON that eventful night ct the
Marchioncss'. a
When the man was under the influence Of
any unuspal,or thrilling excitement - he
was during that evening, his entire mannar
Wa strihngly courteous, refined and digni-
ned. He never appeared 70 better ~
vantage than when suffering pain, mental or
physical. -STi ~
With Q womans eagerness 10 solve .
mystery, she desired to learn his history.
She was convinced that there, rss some
mystery connected With IT. Why had be
been 20 disturbed at Natalie's appesrsnoei
Then, again, he had actually ell but ''cut"
hcr-not Intentionally, she supposed; thus
making his action the more annoying. be.
cause Of his Observation-Disclosures.
At any rata, Whatever the cause, her
thoughts were continually. reverting 10
Fairfax, and she found herself making the
resolve TO SEQ moro Of him, and also 10
fAthom his relations with the Princess.
But fnte, In the shape Of Fuirfax's willy
note, had forbidden her proposed conn.
Dental little chat with Natalie upon this
eventful afternoon.
Only yesterday Lydia had written .
pleasant little note to her .fy-away"
friend, Richard, inviting him to dinnerthe
following evening, and begging him to
bring his friend, Mr.. Fairfax, II he liked;
for whom she also inclosed note.
Cursing ins fate and using some similar
associative expressions with regard to the
headstrong and obstinate Fairfax. whose
inexphcable conduct was thus willingly
casting awayso magnificent an opportunity,
Oxford sat down, grinding his teeth and
with tears Of anger in his eyes, wrote q DO
lite reply to Lydia, regretting that Fairfax
had left for Havre the evening previous
with the intention Of sailing Mis very dsy
for America"-and that he himself was
obliged ITO depart in few hours for PARA,
whence be would soon leave either for En-
gland or for Bwitseriand."
This turn Of affairs, while II sayed
Lydia, only served to make her more deter.
mined, and, during her ride 10 Dol, she
came 10 the conclusion that, Il she would
gain any headway In learning the history Of
this young American, she must make her
gay young ccuntryman the objective point
81 her attack.
At Dol, Of course, she found no Aunt
Blanche, and no explanation Of that lsdy's
son-appesrance. Whereupon the energetic
girl set about solving this s~s mystery.
Dashing on hAsty telegraph message,
she babe her goodman hand II to the op-
orator 10 the depot That oficial, the mo-
meAt he glanced ct Lydia's signature, gave
the coachman Q note that he declared was
Intended for his mistress.
Tearing open the letter, Lydia read:
This ID simply rsss to draw the Lady
Lydia out Of the way. Her friend, the Prin-
cess Natalie, has been abducted Kindly
make knows the news 1t Chateau Dor,
-.gine the uselessness Of any search fog
ser. Tho inclosed note u for Madame Z. y