The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1898-02-04

! !&AM ness early. The
first thing he did
was to send note to the earl, saying
that all difficulty was removed; his
daughter had consented; the only
thing remaining was for him to ask
her 70 settle the wedding day.
Lord Caraven read it through, then
crushed it in his hands, and finally
tore it into shreds and threw 1t under
his feet. He had not brought himself
to a proper state of submission yet.
He would have given the whole world
to escape from Arley Ransome; but
the choice was plain enough-ruln,
shame, despair, or marriage with the
dark-eyed girl who was mot his STYLE
and whom he was quite sure he should
never like.
The marriage should take place in
due course. The Ransomes had as it
were drawn him-nay, forced him
into it; the consequences must recoil
on themselves. In his own mind ne
considered the daughter quite as bad
as the father-indeed he made little
distinction between them. The union
was to be; there was no further need
of scruple. They wanted his title, he
wanted their money. He would be
civil to them, they could not expect
more.
On that evening Hildred Ransome
received letter and a ring. The en-
velope bore a crest and she knew at
once that it was from Lord Caraven.
The contents we're short, but to the
purpose; it was not love letter, for
there was no semblance of love in 1t.
my Dear Miss Ransome: l have to
thank you for your consent to my
then came word that had been care
fully obliterated and wishes" written
over it. with your permission l Will
call tomorrow. have sent you an en-
gagement ring-will you wear it? l
am yours"-here there was an illegt-
BILE word
"ULRIC CARAVEN."
She laid the letter down with sigh
and a smile. She had fancied that
love letter would be very different.
She opened the little parcel that ac-
companied the note; it contained
magnificent diamond ring-her engage
ment ring. She placed it on her fin
ger, and the sun falling on it made it
shine like fire. Still, as she looked at
it, her eyes filled with tears. She
would have liked some one to put the
ring On her finger; although she was
engaged to be married, and was to
be a countess, she felt very lonely
and desolate.
Arley Ransome smiled when he saw
the ring. At least it was an earnest
of good things to come.
very nice, very appropriate, said
the lawyer-"really a ring suitable
for the coming Lady Caraven."
The day after brought Lord Caraven
himself.
That interview was something to be
remembered. Mr.. Ransome, hoping to
make matters smooth and pleasant,
had invited his future son-in-law to
dine with him, and that he might not
feel dull had asked the humorous and
brilliant talker Mr.. Carwey to join
them.
It was we'll that he had done so, for
the actual presence of her lover seemed
to strike Mildred dumb. She looked
at him whenever she found that he
was looking elsewhere. She thought
him very handsome. His indOlent,
careless grace contrasted SO favorably
with her fathers sharp brisk manner.
She wondered why the earl looked
worn and haggard. He was only
twenty-eight, her father said. She
wondered, too, why he was not more
empresse in his manner. He took her
down to dinner, and the only words
they exchanged were about the warmth
of the day. During dinner they never |
spoke save for the most ordinary civ
ilities. When dinner was over, the
earl evidently preferred the society of
Mr.. CARNEY to hers.
"Why had he asked to marry her if |
he did not care to talk to herr" she |
said to herself. How strange it |
was!" Then her father invited Mr.. |
Carwey to have game at chess, and |
the earl walked slowly across the
rooom to where she was sitting. He |
stood by her side, tall, stately, de-
spite his indolent grace of manner.
Her heart beat. What was he going
to say? He bent his head somewhat
stifly.
81 have to thank you, Miss Ran
some" he said, "for honoring me by
wearing my ring"
She looked up at him, and there was
something in the calm gaze of the
pure eyes before which he shrank as
her father had done.
''You wished me to wear it, did you
not?'' she asked. MY father thought
So"
Certainly. 1 am delighted"
Try as he would, he could not con-
cea, tone of irony. She detected 1t
and looked at him again. He bowed
and continued
81 am fortunate indeed. 1 have to
ask you, Miss Ransome, now that you