The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-02-19

although we would not have exacted 1t
as duty, for Auberon possesses some
gifts beyond the requirements Of q coun-
try gentleman.
MADAM, your son Is genius, Edgar
Arden says" remarked. Inchcape, "a
poet and a musician. He will lose
nothing by seasons retirement in q
happy home with mother who compre-
bends him." and he pointed the compli-
ment by courtier bow.
"The boys no signing milk-sop, either"
cried the jolly squire, chuckling. @Pll
lay my head against penny you'll find
him as game hunter as any humping
turnip squire among US ALL"
"His fathers son could be nothing
less than a thoroughbred English gen.
tleman." returned Lord Inchcape, with
that softer looh which he always gave
to bluff Hal Crecy. sand what OF your
fair daughter, madame?" added he,
addressing Mrs. Dellamere. ais she not
a grown-up young lady now?"
"This is her first presentation to So
ciety," answered Mrs. Dellamere; "she
is now seventeen and as tall as she
means to be-which, however, is not up
to my shoulder.
IL remember her as little witch in
short frocks and long golden curls, the
inseparable playmate OF Auberon Crecy,
said Inchcape dreamily. "They used to
come to the Fosse for Viva; what a pic
ture the little group made. We used to
watch them from the windows"
As he spoke he turned his gloomy gaze
upon the ground, and gnawed his lips.
In those days which he had inadvertent-
ly recalled, his fair wife Engelonde was
by his side when he watched the pretty
trio.
"Loveday affects to have outgrown
her early sentiment for Auberon, !"
said Mrs. Dellamere lightly. "She will
now crave fema,e companion OF her
own age, and / trust she will find one in
your daughter when she returns to you.
Is not her education nearly finished now,
and may we not soon look for her?"
Mrs Dellamere was one of the most
graceful of society queens. and possess
ed infinite TACT and she would no more
have presumed to ask these questions
than she would have thrust her hand
into the fire, II she had known what o
wound she was probing.
Lord Inchcape's face hardened into
stone, and as she unwittingly caught his
eve she met such whitening look of
precipitation, utterly abashed.
81 fear Lady Viva will not return
to Stafford for some time," said my
lord, co.dly; then with q resolute change
of subject he went on to say: ais that
her grace the Duchess Of Carisbr0oke /
see yonder? 1t is, indeed, and seeming
ly as vivac Gus as she was eighty years
ago."
He leaned against q column beside the
ladies, and folding his arms, relapsed
into silence, the frigid reserve Of mis-
| anthrope.
Dellamere's under their cashmeres, and
press ed it meaningly.
Perhaps they knew just little more
| than did the world of the tragedy which
| had spoiled the life of proud Inchcape.
Meanwhile an adjacent group OF ladies
were discussing an alb orbing theme.
| aOh, l assure you it's quite settled
| thing!" declared the aged Duchess Of
| Carisbrooke in her deepest tones. .@Mrs
Crecy and Mrs. Dellamere have been fast
friends and allies ever since Mr.. Del a.
mere came to Stafford fifteen years ago,
when she was newly emancipated from
an old brute of a millionaire whom she
had no business to marry" What mer-
CHESS calendars old women are.
| aAuberon Crecy and Loveday Della
mere have been playmates in their child
hood, companions spirits in their youth,
and they will now be lovers, my word for
! il. :" and she nodded her silver head.
II don't know that, your grace" OBJ
jected Lady Merton Rae, a Scotch belle
| of twenty; "Loveday Dellamere Is as
merry as q kitten, and Auberon Crecy is
something between the poet and the
prophet-wheres the affinity? Besides,
blonde doesn't magnetic blonde as
| rule. Hal my Lady Carisbrooke, me-
thinks my intuitions see clearer than
your experience.
And her own dark loneliness glowed
more triumphantly as she spoke
The surrounding gossips exchanged
| laughing and significant glances as they
listened to bonny Merrion's dehan'
declarations; and her grace. an imperi
GUS autocrat regarding her own opinions
| fastened her lusterless old eyes upon the
charming rebels blushing face as she
retorted:
aNobody on earth need take the
trouble to fall in love with Auberor
Crecy Loveday Dellamere was oorI
for him, and he for her. They viii
marry, and shall live to see it.
And having so prophesied, tho oracle
nodded her head dozen times, ant
turned toward the rising curtain.
The scene was bit Of fairyland. 4
grassy ring silvered by moonlight lay il
front; a mimic forest encircled 1t, and II
the background rose the crystal outline
of fairy palace.
i The act opened with the entrance OF |
traveller wrapped in his cloak, musing a
he wandered among the trees with hi
ewes on the grounp and his thoughts Ia
away.
The music expressed in long, wistfu
notes the sadness of his reverie, and tn
loneliness of his situation.
Observing nothing, he advanced to Tn
center of the fairy-ring, and was SUD
denly ssruck motionless, riveted by
spell to the magic spot upon which n
had unconsciously intruded
A shower of sparkling notes indicates
his establishment and alarm; he then re
signed himself to the will Of his fnvisi
bic captors, and dofing his plumed hat
reve emily knelt in supplication for re
lease.
This was Auberon Crecy.
The youth was rapturously beautiful
He was slight, straight and graceful a
! an eltin prince; he had romantic fea
lures and wavy, blonde hair; and hi
| radiant expression endeared him to ever
feminine heart, while his well-knit fie
: ure and well trained strength won bin
} the masculine appreciation.