The broad ax., 1897-05-15

must expect to come troopers"
And I don't dare ten the duchess
he exclaimed "She has advanced me
all she can spare already. I don't
know where to raise another penny.
and shall be sold upI"
began to think OF Gwen.
The worst Of II IS" he went %.
''the duchess has arranged q marriags
with pretty little heiress; the engage
ment is to be announced tomorrow,
and shan't be able to carry the thing
through. haven't even the money
to buy a ringl"
do you wish to marry?" asked.
quietly.
mo-" he said, impatiently. she Is
nice enough girl, but IL is not In my
line. What am to do? The duchess
viii simply eat me when she finds out
the true state Of affairs, and II / can't
make some sort of a settlement by to-
morrow l shall have to bolt It's
comfortable position to be In" he con-
cluded, dismally.
I reflected. Gwen would not marry
me, even IL this precious young idiot
did bolt" so l might Just as well as
sist in giving her the title she coveted
LEICESTER" said. what sum will
settle your creditors for the moment
and enable you to carry the marriage
through"
He paused for q moment.
Five thousaD pounds would do It
why?"
Because" / replied, believing that
a fool should sometimes be helped In
his folly, shall have much pleasure
in lending you that amount"
Leycester looked at me in amaze
ment
Temple" he cried. you're a good
UNI"
We returned to the club, and wrote
him out a check. left him chatting
with Barton Fenwicke. a gossip, who
spent a large amount of time retailing
information he had picked up. and in
vented much which he had not
The next evening went to the Fem
wickes' dance. 1 had not been there
five minutes before espied Gwen talk
ing with Alice Fenwicke. strolled up
to them; a waltz was Just beginning.
Are you free for this?" 1 asked
Gwen, as a man came up and claimed
Alice.
YES" she replied. But you don't
want to dance. Come into the conser-
vatory."
glanced at her in establishment;
she seemed perfectly serious. led her
to a secluded spot, and we seated our
selves.
Mr.. Temple" she said, impetuous-
~, ''is 1t true that you have lent
Lord LEICESTER five thousand pounds?"
How in the name Of" began
alice Fenwicke told me-" she said
quickly. That gossiping brother Of
hers, Barton, said he had met Lord
LEICESTER at q club and he told him.
Ii 1t true?" She looked at me plead
ingly.
WELL" 1 said, LEICESTER told me
that he had got Into a hobble. and
would have to run away"
And you helped him." said Gwen.
softly. so that might be Lady Ley
cester?"
made no reply; she turned and
laid a hand on my coat sleeve.
DO you know" she said, with a
smile, that I'm very glad that I've
found 1t out before it's too late"
Found out what?" I asked, almost
trembling with excitement.
She hung her head, q blush spread
ing over her cheeks.
THAT value somebody's good opin-
ion more than a title," she almost
whispered.
"Gwen!" exclaimed.
LEICESTER found us presently; he
seemed in a particularly happy mood.
20, Lord LEICESTER" said Gwen,
looking up at him frankly, do you
mind II I marry Mr.. Temple instead Of
yourself?"
He burst out laughing.
Not In the least" he cried; land,
Temple, glorious newsl Ny biggest
tenant has come into a fortune and
paid up ten years arrears OF rent. I'm
out of the wood BY love, won't the
Duchess be mad when she hears I'm
not going to marry. after ALL"
"And Mrs. Beresford?" I murmured.
st think I can face It," said Gwen.
confidently.
A,d sha dtd The Ma0net Ma0a-