The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-10-23
z III IfITSs
CHAPTER XIV,

CHAPTER XIV.
| may pass rapidly over some eighteen
months of my life, during which little has
occurred to sway the destiny Of myself
and others of whom | write In spite of
truculent generals. Claudine has been true
to her word. She is, in my eyes, more
beautiful than ever; my love for her
grows AMI grows. Yet we have not fixed
the wedding day, although some months
ago she came of age, and her guardian.
with military eXactncss and promptitude,
rendered up his account, and left her nb-
solute mistress of something over a thou
sand Il year.
Alas. In face Of the promise | made to
Lord Rothwell, and the wild plan form
ed, how little have been able to do. NV
hope of worming something out of Ches-
ham has Tot by any means been realized.
| True, | have not yet had n fair chance. as
the rogue has been in England only n few
days since that excursion of mine to the
North. | found time enough during his
short stay to make few preliminary nd
| yances. | lost a little. not much, money
| to him: then he went back to the CONT
nent. l had half mind to follow him.
but, reconsidering the matter, decided to
await his return to town. AS yet this
had not taken place, although l was in
formed he might be back before the au-
tumn.
1t was about this time that Valentine
| fell in love. He who had so coolly re-
| signed Claudine to me, fell Il victim to the
| tender passion as completely ms it was my
| fate to do. His choice was charming
enough to bear comparison with any one
| Claudine, Of course. excepted. She was
/ the daughter Of a man of good family
not well off, but proud as Lucifer Never
theless, Valentine won him over, and an
nounced his happiness to his friends.
Alas. it was short-liyed bliss. A few
weeks after giving his consent, Mr.. Mo
berlcy, Valentines wished-for fathcr-in-
law, wrote him that in consequence of
painful facts which had come to his
knowledge. he must concel the engage
ment and forbid Mr.. Estmere the house.
Mr. Esrmere, of course, sought an ex-
PLANTATION, and was Informed that the slur
upon his birth justified Mr.. Moberley in
the course be had adopted. For the time
| Valentine was half distracted 1t was
true that Miss Moberley vowed to remain
! faithful and wait for ever and ever. but
| he knew she was as wax in her fathers
hands. Valentine poured his woes out to
me, and / We'll knew that Cheshams
malice had brought this thing about
| knew it before the post brought Nalen-
tine letter. A few lines running so:
| Even if n son strikes his father. he
should ask his consent before he enters
/ into Il matrimonial engagement
| One day in July-a July which made
| the London pavements red hot, and those
who trod them languid, and beginning to
| hate the sight of bricks and mortar
| Valentine and | were trying TO find Il cool
| spot, and grumblng at the blazing
weather.
Il shan't stand it any longer" said
/ Valentine.
| WAS ready to go with him. Where
should it be? ! suggested one place after
another, but could not make Il happy Sc
/ lection. One was too fashionable, an
other was ugly. Above all. Valentine
wanted some fine coast scenery.
''You must go to Cornwall or Devon for
that" | said.
Why not cried Valentine. Il have
an inspiration. Let lis go down to your
ancestral towers, my Philip. Let us visit
( the scene of your innocent boyhood. where
you grew poetical, and communed with
the seaSulls, and felt like a Juvenile Alex
ander Selkrk.''
He was quite in earnest, and l. who
1 had a hankering to see my strange old
I home again, humored him. We went
down to the lonely house, and for some
ten days amused ourselves as best we
could. So the days passed, until we be
gon to think Of returning to town: in fact,
had settled to do so the next day.
Valentine was finishing sketch-a bit
of purple moorland-I was taking my
last sail: for the boat was to be sent back
tomorrow. When l had had enough of
boating about landed. and went back to
the house. Valentine had not returned.
so | started in search OF him. | could
not miss him. there being only one road
from the moor to Torwood. | walked
SEINE way along the path. until | could
see where it Joined the moor Feeling
lazy, | lay down on the sweet. Springy
turf waiting for Valentine to make his APP
pearauce. Here he comes. | said. as |
saw figure come over the edge of the
level and descend the path. No. il is not
Valentino. II is an older mau, but enough
resembling him in figure to be mistaken
for him NJ this distance Who is it com
,3nu-r, : Ia. n. can ,nl,-