La Junta tribune., 1898-01-22


- that. Mr.. Ransome do not think
hat ! shall purchase my life. my safe
~. my fortune. with q woman's gold
II 10 not 4 woman's gold: II Is mine.
my lord" said the lawyer. Marry my
daughter. and you will not have an
other care In the world. She will be
happy; you will be free and wealthy. !
shall be content"
Il have known the time" remarked
Lord Caraven, when l should have
horsswhipped any man who dared to
make such proposition to me. l
imagine all hne feeling has become ex-
dnct In me. Can you not manage all
this for me without asking me to mar
ry your daughter?"
NO" replied the lawyer. quietly.
As have told you. II had son. he
should have been master Of Ravens
mere; failing that, my daughter must
be its mistress."
mot with my consent" said the carl.
hsughtily.
your refusal to marry her makes
her more certainly so. II you refuse
II you prefer ruin. disgrace, dishonor.
shame. and death to marrying an inno-
cent girl. whose fortune would set you
straight In the world-it is at your own
option. II you refuse to make my
daughter Countess Caraven. in
two months time she will be known
over the land as Miss Ransome of
Ravensmere-you will have gained
nothing by your refusal
The earl saw 1t, and for the first time
during the interview the calmness OF
his face and manner was broken.
Il have never seen the grill do not
know II could endure her. tell you,
Ransome. this affair OF yours outrivals
the bids in the slave markets"
Nonsense. my lord: have only cop
led . French custom. All that nom
sense about love is but relic Of bar
barism. The French are the most CIV
ilixed OF nations. How do they ar
range their marriages? Just as wish
to arrange this. Who hears Of love
before marriage. with them? You want
money! offer you certain sum, with
= fair young wife,
You must know that. although am
ruined man, there is an immense
difference between the Earl Of Cara
ven and the daughter OF q money
lender" said the young nobleman.
There can be no happiness In mar
riage where there is 80 great an In
equality
"The advantages and the losses are
equal" replied Arley. There are men
who, In my place. would not act a. I
am doing. who would think twice be-
fore offering wife and fortune to one
who-pardon me-is SO little deserving
them"
"You cannot care much for your
daughter. to be willing to sacrifice her
to . spendthrift." said the carl.
my lord, each one amongst Us has
his price. want title. rank and posi-
tion for my daughter. You can give
them to her. You want wealth-she
will bring that to you. Will you give
me an answer?'
II should not purchase . picture
without looking at It," said the earl.
Il cannot promise to marry lady
whom have never SEEN"
You shall see her. my lord-at once.
II you will"
The earl looked around him.
'Where?" he asked briefly.
The lawyers face fushed.
II do not keep my daughter here,
Lord Caraven. amongst deeds and pa
pers. Ghe Is a lady by education, and
lives ct her own home"
Where Il thatY'' asked the earl.
carelessly
: '.At the Hollies. near Kew. my lord.
II you please. We will drive down
there"
II do mot know-it il not right
do mot care to save myself in auch .
fashion. Even II married your daugh-
ter. I am quite sure that should not
like her. s ,,.s
/. ..Evsry one lfses Hildred," said Mr.
Ranscn1.
..F1ildrsd! inst 4 pretty. quaint
NAME said the earl. Il do mot mind
soinx TO the Hollies with you, but
make no promise. II should mot like
your daughter. she would b very
miserable"
ssAG you will. my lord; shall urge no
more. am determined my daughter
shan marry into the peerags; my
whoI4 hsayt b ct upon II. You are j
not IL only nobleman on my hooks.
1 win ~ no more about It You Will
havs - money ready for me or gdvs
np Ravensmsss it-ths appointed time. !"
Wh3ls The lawyer urked him Lord
Cnxaxen had been hrm ~ his refusal.
Nov xhat he stood nee y face with
biffArv black ruin, shame and disgracs.
p1th 1gnomlny and death, now that the
nScf ~ eainEs ceased; Ne a oncs be-
UnAs3 n wAxoF. s. ~ n ~
Wtn - dorm 70 your placs with I
- - said.
y Jpu riesss, ny lord vas the
ela9 ~ answer. sats -