The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1895-01-17

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you in order to get this place and
the fortune. Sir Louis insisted on
the marriage, if he had refused he
would have been disinherited."
Lady Gertrude became crimson,
then deadly pale, so much so that
Pierce got frightened and thought he
had gone too far and hastily began
eating his words.
az don't say he did not care for
you, dear Lady Gertrude, what man
could do otherwise"
"Enough, Mr.. Vaughn" cried
Lady Gertrude drawing herself up
with dignity, 1--WE have already
talked too much about Clement and
his affairs"
This wound to her self pride
reminded her keenly of her wifely
duty.
He forthwith accepted the dismiss
sal of the subject. He knew as well
she did that enough had been said to
leave a far deeper wound than Lady
Gertrude had any idea of; only one
more thing he must do, he must take
care of himself.
He rose to take his leave, as she
gave him her hand, he bent ovT it.
81 will never say another word
about these Matters" he said, Gun
less you begin the conversation and
l do hope you will make me one
PROMISE"
"What is it?"
"Never to tell Clement of our talk
to-day. Do not SOW further dissen-
sion between us by giving him cause
to dislike me. l spoke in confidence
which l already regret, since am
striving my utmost to forgive Glenn
ent any injury he may have done me
and do so wish we may all be good
friends-You will promise"
~ promise, Mr.. Vaughan. l
would not make any mischief be-
tween you and Clement for all the
world"
He kissed the little hand he still
held and without further observation
went away to stroll back across the
fields to Lady Marcia Foljambc's.
For a long half hour after he left
her Lady Gertrude sat very still and
looked as white and scared rs if she
had seer a ghost. And so indeed
she had, a ghost that would stalk by
her side, o leave her during the
rest of her pilgrimage.
Can there be a drearier or more
cheerless companion of our way than
suspicion of one we love? one toe
that sticketh close, for neither by
| night nor day does the t~reacherous
fear ever desert us.
When Pierce Vaughan introduced
this ever stalking tiend into Lady
t ~Gertrude's, until now, happy conhd.
ing life, was he not committing
moral murder that should be subject
as an actual to the utmost rigol
of the law? Nor was he any happier
| for his base innuendoes, to tudg;
l from his face and look as ne saun'
tered slowly across the fields.
He had sown the seed of d~issensioi
that might bring Clement D%unraven't
4 ruin, yet he scarcely felt the Satanic
. triumph he expected. 1t was rathe.
t a nauseous feeling Of dread lest HI
' himself should be caught in his owl
net, that pursued him and made hin
. almost regret that he had beef
t beguiled into this talk with Lad,
l Gertrude. Then he reused himsel
with a strong effort and tried to rio
, himself of the oppressive fears, TO,
was he not playing for a high stake
Sir Louis Dunraven's will was
strange one No one knew its powe
and value better than Pierce
d Vaughan, rich as he was in the law
. yer-like acumen.
e The contents of the will had been
by Clements desire, kept concealed
from Lady Gertrude, or she woulc
l have known what she had learnt a
news to-day, that Clement woul'
s have forfeited Aboyne court and it
: concomitant fortune if he had no
married the only daughter of tn
y Earl of Melbury.
y The marriage had taken place an
the disposal of the old baronet'
, had been arranged-Sir Miles Berk
eley being executor-with the famil.
lawyer; what need was there thel
@ for Pierce Vaughan to med9le.
Sir Louis had been clever enough
not to make Pierce an execute
a since he foresaw that there might b
trouble between the cousins.
. He had merely left him $4,000 as
1 legacy, which Pierce regarded as
n mere pittance; and made no furthe
mention of his name.
Q Like many other clever men, 81
Louis had considerably overshot hi
u mark in this will. All his wisdom
l seemed to have gone forth in MAXIM
u honest Sir Miles Berkely his execu
tor, he did not seen to realize that
= as circumstances alter cases, tn
position of the two cousins woul,
g change and that bad blood, unles
: they were absolutely saints, must b