The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1898-01-29
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CHAPTER XVII.

Not" said Lord Arleigh, proudly, that
| there is any need for concealmeht-
should there be?-but, you see, Lazy 81,
ers. if it were known that it was my wed
| ding day, have so many friends, so many
relatives, that privacy would be lhipossi.
| Bile for us: therefore the world has not
been enlightened as to when 1 lntehded
| to claim my darling for my own
| 1T is a strange marriage for an AT
leigh" observed Lady Peters-"the hrst
of its kind, am sure. But | think you
are right-your plan is wise"
All the outward show made at the Wed
ding consisted in the rapid driving OF
carriage from the hotel TO the church-a
carriage containing two ladies-one young,
fair, charming, as a spring morning. 'iie
other older, graver and more sedate.
The young girl was fair and sweet her
! golden hair shining through the marriage
veil, her blue eyes wet with unshed tears,
| her face flushed with daintiest roseleal
| bloom.
1t was a pleasant spectacle to see the
| dark, handsome face Of her lover as ne
| greeted her. the love that shone IN ms
eyes, the pride Of his manner, as though
he would place her before the whole
world. and defy it to produce one so grace
ed and her heart beat as she walked up
to the altar with them. This was true
| love.
| They walked out Of the church together,
and when they stood in the sunlight he
| turned to her
"My darling. my wife" he said in an
imprisoned voice, may heaven send to
us a life bright as sunshine. love rs pure
life and death together! | pray heaven
that no deeper cloud may come over our
| lives than there is now in the sky above
| us.
These words were spoken ut only eleven
in the morning. If he had known all that
| he would have to suffer before eleven at
| night, Lord Arcigh. with all his bravery,
| all his Chiyalry. would have been ready
to fling himself from the green hilltop IN
| to the shimmering sea.
! 1t was the custom of the Arleighs to
! spend their honeymoon at home; they had
never fallen into the habit Of making
| themselves uncomfortable abroad. The
| proper place. they considered, for Il man
| to take his young wife to was home; the
| first Lord Arleigh had done 50. and each
lord had followed this sensible example.
| Norman, Lord Arleigh, had not dreamed
Of making any change.
Bride and bridegroom had one Of the
! blithest. happiest Journeys ever made.
| What cloudburSt could rise in such sky
as theirs? They were blessed with youth
beauty, health; there had been no one TO
raise the least opposition to their mar
! rage; before them stretched a long golden
| future.
The carriage met them at the station; it
was then three in the afternoon, and the
day continued fair
I'VE will have a long drive through the
park. Madaine,'' said Lord Arleigh. You
! will like to see your new home.
SO, instead of going direct 20 the man
sion. they turned off from the main ave
nue. to make a tour Of the park
Now | understand why this place is
called Beechgrove,' said Madeline, sud
denly. Il have never seen such trees IN
| my life
She spoke truly. Giant beech trees
spread out their huge houghS on all sides
They were trees of which any man would
| have been proud. because of their beauty
and magnifcence. Presently from be
tween the trees she saw the mansion it
self Lord Arleigh touched his young
wife's arm gently.
MY darling" he said, that is home"
r
trance. Wishing to spare his young wife
all fatigue and embarrassment Lord Ar
leigh had not dispatched the news of his
marriage home, so that no one at Beech
wood expected TO see Lady Arleigh He
sent at once for the huusekeeper a tall
stately dame, who came into the dining
ROOM looking in unutterable amazement
at the beautiful, blushing young face
Mrs Chatterton.' he said. Il wish to
| introduce you to my wife. Lady Arleigh. =
The stately dame Curtsied almost to the
ground.
.Welcome home, my lady" she said.
deferentially. IF had known that your
ladyship was expected | would have made
more hefitting preparations
Nothing could be better-yOu have ey-
ervthing in admirable order" responded
Lord Arlcigh, kindly.
His lordship wrote to tell me TO have
all the rooms in the western wing ready
said Mrs. Chatterton; but he did not tell
why. They are splendid rooms, nv lady
large, bright and cheerful. They look
over the beautiful beeches in the park.
from which the place takes its name. or
course you will have what is called Lady
Arleigh's suite.
As she spoke Mrs. Chattcrton threw
open the door, and Lady Arleigh saw the
most magnificent rooms she had ever be
held in her lifc-a boudoir all blue silk
ana white lace. a spacious sleeping cham
Der daintily hung with pink satin, dress
ing room that was a marvel Of elegance.
and small library, all fitted with the
greatest luxury.
When Lady Arleigh had changed her
travelling dress. she went downstairs Her
young husband looked up III Il rapture of
delight.
"Oh. Madalne," he said, how long
have You been away from me? 1t seems
like a hundred hours. yet | do not sup
pose it has been one. And how fair YOU
look, my love. That Cloudy white robe
suits your golden hair and your sweet
face. whi.h has the same soft. sweet. oN-
preston as when ! saw You first; and
those pretty shoulders Of yours CLEAN like
polished marble through the lace. No
dress could be more coquettish or pref
tier"
The wide hanging sleeves were fastened
back from the shoulders with buttons Of
pearl, leaving the white, rounded arms
bare: a bracelet Of pearis-Lady Peters
cift-was clasped round the graceful neck:
the waves Of golden hair. half loose. half
/ carcleSSly fastened, We're ike Il crown On
the beautiful head.
Il am proud Of my wife" he said. I
know that no faircr Lazy -;rleigh has
ever been at Reech-rove Y hen we have
dincd. Madalinc, | viii take you To the
picture gallery. and introduce you To my
ancestors and ancc>tresSeS.
Norman she said. Il sudden gleam of
memory .hrightening her face: Il had nj
most for-otten-fhe duchess gave III"
/ this for Won: | was 10 be sure to give II L.