The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1894-12-20

was her law, n whom she could
not believe to be wholly wrong
hence, she could argue to herself,
there must be justice in what he
After all what right had she, a
daughter of the people, to link her
fortunes with those of Sir Louis
Dunraven's nephew? She was to
blame, she must suffer for her fault
but the child. If she had nj
thought for that unborn child 1t
be so easy to set him free.
Had jealousy no place in her heart
in this supreme hour? Jealousy of
that other woman she had seen
so near him on the sofaP
No, the child for the moment
usurped every other feeling, her
misery, her agony at the knowledge
that he would live for the rest of his
life with another-a lady of high
degree-was as nothing compared
with what she felt about the future
of that as yet unseen child.
Clement watched the fearful strug-
gle which conflicting feelings were
causing, and at last grew somewhat
impatient at the delay. He hated
the whole scene, hated his uncle for
forcing him into it, hated Lady
Gertrude for being the innocent
cause, and hated himself most of all
for having been so weak as to be
lured from his allegiance to Lisbeth.
He would have it over quickly,
why did she delay? By dint of
much false reasoning he had arrived
at the conclusion that it all mattered
very little, since if he married Lady
Gertrude twenty times over he
should always love Lisbeth best, and
to a girl in Lisbeth's position the
fact Of not being his acknowledged
wife could make any real difference.
When old Josh died Clement knew
full well that she would not have a
single siXpence, and he would not
be able to give her anything if she
forced him to acknowledge his
marriage, whereas, once let him
grasp Sir Louis fortune and he
would take good care that Lisbeth
lived in clover. They had been a
pair OF fools TO get themselves into
this position, and it was only making
matters worse TO go on with it, il
Lisbeth could only be persuaded tc
see things in a proper light.
"Well, Bett,n he said at last, ''yor
take a long time to make up YOU
| mind, and after all it is not such {
very serious affair. You will see me
quite as often as you do now, and
will take care that you never have &
trouble or a thought about money"
OTIS not that, Glen, it is moi
myself | am thinking of, | woulC
sacrifice money and happiness both
for your advantage; that you know
full well. 1t always seems to me a
if It were a woman's privilege t
+" afRSE FBgrhs' y@0aap2 she id6d ioYIefaioo no
/, see that much difficulty remains
said Glen.
eyes, there is one am going t
tell you my determination, Glen.
hope it will not make you angry
Any way, you will have to abide b.
it,"
He drew her towards him ono
more and kissed her.
"Sweet love, you were Away
good to me.n
"But you have not yet heard wha
| have to say. 1t all depends on tn.
child, Glenn. If it is a girl l vii
consent TO be silent about the mar
riage, and let her suffer as he
mother will, in order to give he
father riches and place. A littl
more or less misery will not max
much difference in a woman's life
But if the child is q boy | will nc
have my marriage kept a secret, h
must take his fathers name an
inherit the baronetcy as his father
heir"
Clement Dunraven looked at he
aghast.
"Good heavens, Lisbeth, whi
nonsense. Why should a boy /
more considered than a girl? O
the contrary he a make his way
the world when a girl cannot do so.
at seems to me, Glenn" she SAT-
speaking with much dignity, eth
you have come here to-day to al
OF me the very greatest favor a ms
can ask a woman, even to give
her reputation and good name fl
his sake. If ! grant this favor al
consent to take my place among Il
outcasts of society for your del
sake, it must be Oh my own term
!, Once again | repeat, if the child y
. to be born is a hey-he must tai
: your name and inherit your title"
+, "But my dearest Bett, it will
] weeks yet before we shall kno
My uncle's orders that this maria
q with Lady Gertrude takes place
, once are imperative. He 8 in We
bad health, and if he should
before the event comes off, tn
everything is lost"