The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1898-01-15
CHAPTER NH

From the moment Lord Arlcigh believ-
ed that the young duchess intended to for
bid all acquaintance with her fair pro-
tege. he resolved to see her and to make
her like him.
The day following he went again to the
mansion: the duchess was at home. and
wished to see him, but at that moment
she was engaged.
He went into the morning room and
through the long, open French window;
there were the lovely roses in bloom. and
thereof. kind, blessed fate there was
his beautiful Madalinc, seated in the
pretty trellised arbor husily working
some fine point lace looking herself like
the fareSt flower that ever bloomed. The
young girl looked up at him with a star
tied glancc-shy, sweet, hesitating-and
then he went up TO her.
DO not let me disturb you" he said
The duchess is engaged and ALWAYS
gives me permission 20 wait for her here"
She bowed, and he fancied that her
white fingers trembled.
May l introduce myself to y0u:" he
continued. Il am Lord Arleigh."
A beautiful blush, exquisite as the hue
of the fairest rose, spread over her face.
She looked at him with a smile.
Lord Arleigh," she repeated-"I know
the name very we'll
You know my name very well-hov is
that?' he asked, in surprise
1T is a household word here" she said
Il hear it at least hundred times day."
I'VE must be friends said Lord Ar
leigh, for |. too, love the duchess. She
has been like Il sister 10 me ever since
| can remember" and he drew nearer ia
the beautiful girl as he spoke. "Wiu Won
include me among your friendsT he CON
tinued. This is not the first time that
| have seen you. | stood watching Won
yesterday; you were among the roses, and
| was in the morning room. | thought
then, and have thought ever since, that
| would give anything 10 be included
among your friends"
"A friend Of mine, my lord ?" she ex-
claimed. How can /? Surely you know
| am not Of your rank-I am not one Of
the class from which you select your
friends. l do not think you quite under
stand"
Yes, I do" he declared. eagerly; Il
asked the duchess yesterday who YOU
We're, and she told me your whole story"
Ii was impossible for him not to see
how she shrank with unutterable pain
from the words. The point lace fell on
the grass AT her feet-she covered her face
with her hands.
Did she? Oh, Lord Areigh. it was
cruel to tell it,"
1T was not cruel 70 tell me" he re-
turned. She would not tell any one else.
| am quite sure. But she saw that was
really anxious-that must know it-that
II was not from curiosity l asked"
Not from curiosity" she repeated. still
hiding her burning face " h her hands.
NO, it was from different motive"
And then he paused abruptly. What was
he going to say: How far had he already
left all conventionality behind: lie stop
ped just in time. and then continued,
grayely: The Duchess of HazeIwood and
myself are such true and tried friends
that We never think Of keeping any Sc
crets from each other We have been. as
| told you before. brother and sister all
our lives-it WAS only natural that she
should tell ne about YOU
And. having heard my story. you ask
me 70 be one of your friends?" she said,
slowly. There We're pain and p3thos in
her voice as she spoke.
Yes, he replied. having heard il all.
l desire nothing on earth SO much as to
win your friendship"
My mother" she murmured.
'Ies-your mothers unfortunate mar
riase. and all that came Of it. can re
peat the story"
"0h, no. she interrupted. 4 DO not
wish TO hear il. You know i, and you
will still he my friend: =
Answer me one question" he said gent
". rs this sad story the result Of any
fault Of yours Are you in any way to
blame for IT,
No: hot in the least. Still. Lord Ar
leigh. although l do not share the fault.
share the disgrace-nothiug can avert
that from ne"
Nothing of the kind he opposed:
disgrace and yourself as as inconpati-
ole as pitch and 4 doves wing"
But" she continued, wonderinsIy. do
you quite understands"
Yes, the duchess told me the whole
story. l understand il. anu am truly
grieved for You; know the dukes share
in it and ALL
He saw her face grow pale even 70 the
lips.
And yet you would BE- my friend
you whom people call proud-you whose
name is history cannot believe il, Lord