Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1896-10-30

2Z - y So
CHAPTER XIV.
On the morning of the same day that
witnessed the interview between Glitka
Eberganyi and the two Daneborough Off
cials, the master of Mortmain drove from
his house at Helston to Woodburn Par
sonage.
He reined up the housekeeping bays in
front of the Uncovered parsonage, and
sending in his card, accompanied the
scrap Of pasteboard by request that he
might see, not Mr.. Langton, but Mr..
Marsh from London, if that gentleman
would kindly accord him ten minutes for
a brief conversation.
"Mr. Marsh," he said, blandly, as soon
as he had accepted the chair that was Of
fered to him, 'you will be surprised,
fear, at my calling upon you without the
honor OF an intr0duction; nor is it prOba-
BILE that I am known to you, even by re-
port; but was informed that Miss Now
bray's guardian, whose name is familiar
to me through my intercourse with our
kind friends at the parsonage here, was
on visit to Mr.. and Mrs. Langton; and it
is because you are Miss Mowbray's guard
ian that have ventured to trouble you
to-day"
Mr.. Marsh made sort of bow, and
grunted assent, pricking up his ears the
while. He had not, as yet, OWNED the
nature Of the baronet's possible business
with him.
'sThe fact is, SIR" said Sir Richard,
with frank smile, "that-though it costs
ME something to make the avowal to a
gentleman who, unfortunately, is total
stranger to mel am in love with Miss
Violet Mowbray, your beautiful young
ward, and I have considered that the
most straightforward course Of proceed
ing was to so direct to the guardian, who,
In her case. represents the authority Of n
parent, and tell him 80, leaving him to
decide as to the eligibility of my pro-
posals, MS his sense of duty and his knowl-
edge Of the world shall dictate"
"You have taken me somewhat by sur
prise," said Mr.. Marsh, hesitatingly.
"Miss Mowbray is still very young"
"She is, indeed" rejoined the baronet,
earnestly, but almost humbly. "But
would she not be happier, sir, with an as
sured position and under a husbands g
care than fatherless and motherless in
such a world as that which we see around
US? There has been dong friendship,
Mr.. Marsh, between Mr.. Langton, your
nephew here, and my late father, and !
was glad to renew the acquaintance some
weeks ago, before knew that Miss Now.
bray, whom 1 have since learned to love,
was an inmate of the parsonage. know,
and am glad to know, that Miss Now
bray has no fortune"
As Sir Richard said this, the London
merchant could not repress chuckle,
while he rubbed his hair vehemently in
an upward direction. The baronet for a
moment eyed him with surprise, and then
went on, as smoothly as before.
"When say no fortune, merely speak
in the common acceptation Of the term
/ am myself, as Mr.. Langton is aware, a
large land owner, so that the three OF
four hundred pounds year which be.
lieve to belong to the young lady can
scarcely present any temptation to me-
Let it, by all means, be strictly tied up
for her separate use. Quite independent.
ly Of that small income. could make a
handsome settlement upon my wife, ii
only could hope to hail your ward as
Lady Mortmain."
''Sir Richard," Mr.. Marsh responded
graciously, 81 am. us you perhaps know
quiet city man, lending a life very un.
fashionable, but can quite realize the
truth that men of rank and fOrtune-men
like you, Sir Isichard-are apt to look fol
money, as we'll as pedigree, or instead OF
pedigree. with their wives. And / car
appreciate your conduct, indeed can
May l ask il you have ever spoken, or
this topic, mean, to my ward?"
Il have spoken" answered the baro
net, with an ingenious sort of cmbarrass
ment which won him the immediate sym
pathy of Mr.. Marsh, himself shy man
and therefore alive to all the sufferings tt
which bashful humanity is heir-4'I have
spoken, not in direct terms, but in Ian
guage which many young ladies would
have comprellended, if not approved. Had
Miss MOwbray had a father But, rs i,
is. come to you, sir, as her guardian, ant
you will send me from hence happy and
hopeful man, if l can only feel sure tha
You consider favorably my suit
Certainly I'll speak to Violet, and thai
without delay" said Mr.. Marsh, encour
agingly. "And, Sir Richard, yon have m,
best wishes for yOur success"
When Sir Richard Mortmain had driver
off, his wellstepping bays and silver
mounted harness producing quite a sen
sation in the village street. Mr.. Marsh re
mained ~acantly gazing out at the win
dow Of the clergyman's study.
:That will do!' muttered Mr.. Marsh
with an air of satisfaction. Eyes, tia,
will do Sir Richard Mortmain would h,
Just the dushand for that delicate, shrink
ing little sne@-drop Of girl. Til do ,.,
hest"
CHAPTER XXyI.
| When Mr.. Marsh went back TO -.
drawing room he found the rector dc.., .
Immersed in his newspaper, and ~
i.angton evidently excited and inqr.-
tive. Marrying and giving in marr..ag.
are topics. t'e sule. that interested womel
Nhnva oil o%I,a II,