Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-05-22
CHAPTER XIV.
"True Until Death. ;"


''True Until DEATH"
For some long months that case
stood on the RECORDS. Every paper in
England had some mention of it: as
a rule people laughed when they read
anything about it. They said it was
a case of Corydon and Phyllis-a dali
ry-maiQ's love, a farce, piece of rO-
mantle nonsense on the part of
young nobleman who ought to know
better. 1t created no sensation. The
papers did not make much of it; they
simply reported petition on the part
Of the Right Honorable the Earl of
LansWell and Lucia, his wife, that the
so-called marriage contracted by their
son, Launcelot, Lord Chandos, should
be set aside as illegal, on account of
his being a minor, and having married
without their consent.
There was long hearing, a long
consideration, long lawsuit; and it
was, as everyone had foreseen it would
be, in favor of the earl against his son.
The marriage was declared null and
void-the contract illegal; there could
be no legal marriage on Lord Chan
dos side without the full and perfect
consent of his parents.
When that decision was given, Lady
LansWell smiled. Mr.. SeWell congrat-
ulated her on it. My lady smiled
again.
Il may thank the law she said.
(which frees my son from the conse-
quences of his own folly"
''Remember," said the lawyer, chat
he can marry her, ny lady, when he
comes Of age
II know perfectly we'll that he will
not" replied the countess; but Mr..
Sewell did not feel so sure.
The earl, the countess and the So
licitor sat together at Dunmore House
in solemn consultation. They were
quite uncertain what should be the
next step taken. Due legal notice had
been given Lord Chandos. He had
simply torn the paper into shreds and
laughed at it-laugheQ at the idea that
any law, human or divine, could sepa-
rate him from his young wife He
took no notice Of it; he never appeared
in answer to any inquiry or summons;
he answered no questions; the lawyer
into whose hands he had half laugh
ing placed the whole matter had every
thing to do for him, and wondered at
the recklessness with which the young
lord treated the whole affair.
1t was all over now; and the decree
which had parted them, which severed |
the tie between them, had gone forth
the marriage was void and worth moth
ing.
The matrons Of Belgravia who read
it said it was perfectly right; there
was no doubt that he had been in
weighed into it; and if such a thing
were allowed to go unpublished there
would be no more safety for their
curled darlings; they would be at the
mercy of any designing, underbred
girl who chose to angle for them.
Men of the world smiled as they read
it, and thought Lord Chandos we'll out
Of what might nave been a very serious
trouble. Young people thought little
about it; the Belgravian bellies merely
said to one another that Lord ChandOs
had been in some kind of trouble. but
that his parents had extricated him.
And then all comment ended; even the
second day after the judgment was
given it had been forgotten.
When the Countess Of Lanswell held
in her hands the letter which told her
the desire Of her heart was granted and
her son free, for a few moments she
was startled; her handsome face paled.
her hands trembled; it had been d
desperate step, but she had won. She
had the greatest faith in her own re-
sources; she felt a certain conviction
for one moment she was half startled |
at her own success.
LET us send for Lance here to Cav
DOR" she said to the earl, while Mr..
Sewel sees the girl and arranges with |
her. He must nave carte blanche over
money matters; whatever he thinks fit
to mention I shall agree to. If a |
thousand a year contents her, I am
wiling"
eyes, yes-it is no question of mon
ey,' said the earl. ''It will be a great
trouble to her, naturally, and we are
bound to make what compensation we
can. If you wish me to send for Lance
I will do so at once. 7 will send a
telegram from the station at Dunmore;
he will be here soon after noon...
TO be Continued