Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-03-16
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CHAPTER XVII

CHAPTER XVII.
The eventful day came-Lord Arieigh
and Madaline We're married at an early
hour
Not" said Lord Arleigh, proudly, "tha,
there is any need for concealment-why
should there be?-but. you see. Lady Pet.
ers. II IL were known that 1t was my wed.
ding day, have so many friends, so many
relatives, that privacy would be impossi'
bic for US: therefore the world has moi
been enlightened as to when l intended
to claim my darling for my own.
TT is strange marriage for an Ar.
leigh" observed Lady Peters-''the first
Of its kind, l am sure But think yor
are right your plan is wise"
All the outward show made at the wed
ding consisted in the rapid driving Of $
caTis ge from the hotel to the church,
carriaSe containing two ladies-one young,
fair, charming. as a spring morning, the
other older, grayer and more sedate.
The young girl vas fair and sweet, her
golden hair shining through the marriage
veil, her blue eyes wet with unshed tears,
her face flushed with daintiest roseleaf
bloom.
1t was a pleasant spectacle to see the
dark, handsome face OF her lover as he
greeted her, the love that shone in his
eyes, the pride Of his manner. as though
he would place her before the whole
world, and defy it to produce one so grace
ful or 30 fair. Lady Peters face softened
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
impassioned voice, may heaven send to
US life bright as sunshine, love as 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 at only eleven
In the morning. If he had known all that
he would have to suffer before eleven ut
night, Lord Arleigh, with all his bravery,
all his chivalry, 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 a man
to take his young wife to was home; the
first Lord Arleigh had done so, 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
bHthest, 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
riage; 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 long drive through the
park, Madaline," said Lord Arleigh. You
will like to see your new home"
So, instead of going direct to the man.
sion, they turned off from the main ave
nue. to make tour of the park.
Now l understand why this place is
called Beechgrove," said Madaline. sud.
denly. Il have never seen such trees in
my life"
She spoke truly. Giant beech trees
spread out their huge boughs on all sides.
They were trees Of which any man would
have been proud, because of their beauty
and magnifcence. Presently from be-
self. Lord Arleigh touched his young
wife's arm gently.
MY darling" he said, that IL home"
The carriage stopped at the grand en-
trance Wishing to spare his young wife
all fatigue and embarrassment, Lord Ar
leigh had not dispatched the news of his
ma rriage home, SO that no one at Beech
wood expected to see Lady Arleigh. He
sent at once for the housekeeper, 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,
''If had known that your
ladyship was expected l would have made
more betting preparations"
Nothing could be better-you have ev-
erything in admirable ORDER" responded
Lord Arleigh, 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, my lady
large, bright and cheerful. They look
over the beautiful beeches in the park,
from which the place takes its name. OF
course you will have what is called Lady
suite"
As she spoke Mrs. Chatterton threw
open the door, and Lady Arleigh saw the
most ma gnificent rooms she had ever be-
held in her life-a boudoir all blue silk
and white lace, a spacious sleeping cham
ber 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
roung husband looked up In a rapture of
delight.
.Oh. Madaline," he said, "how long
have YOU been away from me? 1t seems
ike a hundred hours, yet l do not sup
nose It has been one. And how fair you !
ook. nv lowell That cloudy white robe
.uits your golden hair and your sweet |
face, which has the same soft, sweet, ex- '
,ression as when l saw you first; and
hose pretty shoulders Of yours CLEAN like
polished marble through the lace. No
dress could be more coQuettish or pref
Her."
The wide hanging sleeves were fastened
,a ck from the shoulders with buttons Of
,earl, leaving the white. rounded arms
bare; a bracelet Of pearls-LAdy Peters
,ift-was clasped round the graceful neck;
he waves Of golden hair, half loose, half
.arelesaly far.ened, were like Q crown on
he beautiful head.
Il an proud Of my Mi1A" b saad. i