The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-09-08

4 Whm Lois heard that Sir Jaflray's
mother was waiting to see her, she felt
that there must be trial Of wits be-
tween them. but conscious Of her hold
over the barones she was confident Of
the issue.
my visit will be surprise to you,
Miss Orawshay," said Lady Walcots as
soon an Lola entered the room. II have
seen Jaffray today"
at is an honor at any rate, Lady
Walcote, was the reply, calmly spoken.
"When we parted last time," said
the old lady, 1--WE were not fortunate in
choosing topics which allowed Of our
agreeing very well. ! trust we shall be
better friends now"
II hope 20 earnestly" replied the
girl. land with that object we had bet
ter not touch on the same subjects, had
we? / am very jealous Of my fathers
good rame. He was to me both father
and Mother"
Tho old lady looked piercingly at Lola
as she spoke, trying to detect any signs
Of artifce
II knew your father long ago" she
replied, land I cannot but know what
his family thought Of him. l do not
want to say things to pain you, but this
is not moment for keeping silence for
the sake Of avoiding delicate subjects.
My son desires you to be his wife, and,
as his mother, I wish to know many
things"
She paused as il to await an expires.
sion Of Lola's willingness to tell her
what she wished to know. but the girl
made no sign.
"Do you object to my asking you
some questions?''
II think you should ask them Of Mrs.
Villyers," answered Lola oleverly. II
have talked very freely with her. II you
think she is capable of introducing from
her house any one about whom you have
these qualms, is this not an interview
at which she should be PRESENT.
"No, I am not doubling her belief.
"Then you doubt my statements to
her? Is that it? I think, Lady Waloote.
we shall be wiser to keep Of topics Of
the kind. Stay one moment. Let ~ put
the matter plainly. Your son has asked
me to marry him, and have refused. I
have told him that will not be bis
wife, that will not allow him even 70
put such question to me, and that !
hold it for an insult 10 long az DO re-.
mains bound, directly or implicitly. to
his cousin and my friend Beryl Leyoes-
ter"
"He told me that, but that is not ALL"
"Alli" echoed Lola, as If moved by
the word into some warmth. "You
mean that is not all, SO far as he is CON.
cerned. And what of me2 Have you
thought Of me once in all this-what
my feelings will be? Or do you think,
as be seems to think, that am merely
something to remain unconsidered, IN.
esteemed, uncared for; something for
you to come and examine and test and
approve or disapprove; some cold and
feelingless thing, to be placed under the
microscope Of your family pride? You
may forget, though do not. that my
fathers family is as old and as honor
able as your own, and that we do not
recognize your right to precedence in
any one respect save only title and
fortune"
Despite her prejudice Lady Walcote
could not help admitting the girl for her
pride and courage.
u know your family tree better than
you probably, and I have never ques.
toned the past history Of il" she said.
"You mean you question only myself
as the present member Of 1t, and my IA
Their because he was driven abroad. But
was there never dark page in the bis.
tory Of your own family? Has every one
Of your sons ancestors been as good and
true man as himself? lido not want to
pain you with unpleasant stories Of the
past. Enough that ask whether your
son is worse on account Of the character
and III deeds and wild extravaganza Of
his grandfather" She had gathered
this from the little secret history which
her father had written for her guild.
ance, and it was easy to see how the
shot told on Lady Walcote.
"You have your fathers daring, To-
Ia" she said, using the Christian name
for the first time.
There is much Of my poor dear IA
ther in me, I know" said Lola. allow
ing her manner to soften as she came
to what she meant to be the turning
point Of the interview, land, frankly. I
would not have 1t otherwise. You and
those in England know one side Of his
character, another. I know be was
wild; that he gambled, drank. cared
nothing for religion and committed a
crime which drove him to exile. In all
that he was what the world calls bad.
But truer man, q stancher friend,
kinder father, he could not have been.
In all his troubles, in all his riotous liv-
ing, in all his wildness, he had never
harsh thought or unkind word for me.
You are right in thinking am not as
your girls here in England. I have lived
at times the wild bohemian life to
which he was driven, and never had
mother to stand between me and the
rougher side of 1t. But from the hour
when left the convent school at Ami
ens-from choice, for often he wanted
me to leave him and come to England.
but he was the only thing that had
loved me and had loved, and could
not leave him in his old age-from the
first to the last be watched and guarded
and cared for me with love that all
my life long must make his name
sweet sound in my ears"
Her voice trembled as she spoke the
last words, and she paused and then re.
sumed, speaking with sudden impetuos-
ity:
"Do you blame meS Do you say the
daughter was wrong to prefer to stay |
by the fathers side at the risk Of her
future in Ensland1 Well, il you do, I
cannot help it. would do It again only |
too cheerfully il could bring him from
his lonely Swiss grave ! am not Of the
cold, oallous natures that love and hate
where expediency points and Judgment
suggests. love because ! love, rashly,
wildly, madly may be, but at least I
do not forget who and what am or
what the honor OF my family demands.