The Eddy current., 1898-04-16

Il" =
= Gy-sflpf lN Lady Caraven. and /
q lftaNt, on this day her |
\NyksgN lover was TO visit
ANfsRA her.
~, S1f Arley Ransome
II IYftm went on to buai-
I .GAfsi ness early The
first thing he did
vNs 10 send note 20 the earl saying
that all difficulty was removed; his
daughter had consented, the only
thing remaining was for him % ask
her TO settle the wedding day.
lord Carayon read II through, then
crushed II In his hands. and finally
tore Il into shreds and threw Il under
his feet He had not brought himself
90 a proper state OF submission yet
lie would have given the whole world
20 escape from Arlcy Ransome; but
the choice was plain cnough-ruin'
shame. despair. or marriage with the
dark-oyod glrl who was mot his style"
and whom he was quite sure he should
never like.
Tho marriage should take place IN
due course. Tho Ransomos had ns u
were drawn him nay. forced him
into q. the consequences must rccuil
on themselves. In his own mind he
considered tho daughter quite az bad
as the father indeed he made little
distinction between thom. Tho union
was 10 De; there was no further need
OF fcruple. They wanted his title, he
wanted their money lie would he
civil TO them. they could not expect
more.
On that evening Hlldrod Ransomc
received letter and @ ring The en-
yclopo bore % crest and she knew at
once that % was from Lord Caruvon.
The contents were short, but 20 tho
purpose. II was not % love letter. for
there was no scmblanoc OF love in Il.
MY Dear Miss Raugomo. have 10
thank YOU for your consent TO my
then came q word that had been care
fully obliteruted and wishes" written
over Il. with your permission ! viii
call tomorrow. have sent YOU an en-
gagcmont ring will you wear II?
am yours here there was an illegl-
bic word
"ULRIC CARAVEN."
She laid the letter down with q sigh
and a smile. She had fancied that a
love letter would be- very different.
She opened the little parcel that ac-
compnnlod the note: II contained "a
magnificent diamond ring her engage
mont ring. She placed Il ON her I'm.
-- a-=--anl tho sua falling on " made ~
shine like FIRE Stll as she looked a.
a.. her oycs filed with tears She
would have liked some one 10 put the
ring on her finger; although she was
+ engaged 10 be- married. and was 90
be- countess. she felt very lonely
and dosolatc.
Arloy Rausome smiled when he saw
the ring AZ least II was an earnest
OF good things 10 come.
VERY nice very appropriate" said
the lawyer really ring suitable
for the coming Lady Carayen"
Tho day after brought Lord Carayen
himself.
That interview was something 20 hc
remembered, Mr. Ransomc. hoping Ca
make matters smooth and pleasant,
had invited his future son-ln-law ga
dine with him. and that ho might not
feel dull had asked tho humorous and
brilliant talker Mr.. Carwoy % Join
them
n was well that he had dono so. for
the actual presence Of her lover seemed
, 10 strike Illdrcd dumb. She looked
Z nj him whenever she found that ho
was looking elsewhere. She thought
NFsNmHnrsf
careless grace contrasted $50 fayOrahly
. with her fathers sharp. brisk manner
She wondered why the earl lsoked
: worn and hnggard. lie was oniy
s. twenty-elght. her father said Sh'
wondered. too. why he was not NOR,
ompresse in his manner. llo took hel
70 down 90 dinner. and the only word.
. they exchanged were about the warmth
Of the day. During dinner they ncycl
b spoke. save for the most ordinary civ
- lltlca. when dinner was over th'
a earl evidently preferred the society o
b. Mr Carwcy 90 hers.
a "Why had ho asked 90 marry her 4
n hc ala not care to talk 90 hor?" she
said 20 herself. How strange &
q was" Then her father invited Mr
81 Carwoy 90 have a game at chess. un'
B. the earl walked slowly across thI
rooom % whore sho was sitting M
4 stood hy her side. tall. stately. de-
aplto hls indolcnt grace of manner
e Her heart beat what was be goinl
70 90 ray3 lle bent hls head somowha
10 utinly
c II have % thank YOU. Miss Ran
e some" he said. FOR honorlng me b.
wearing my ring"
She looked up a. him. and there wa
p something In the calm Faze Of M
u pure eyes before which he shwnk .
"a her father had done.
"lou wished me tO wear o. dld yOl
note" rhe asked. "My father though
So"