Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-08-24
CHAPTER XXXIII.
II Have Perjured Myself.

~ Have Perjured Myself"
Lady Lanswell was triumphant; she
lost no time; before noon OF the day
following she had sent to the Duke OF
Lester saying that they were staying at
Granada, and that important family
business awaited him there. She
knew that he would lose no time in
going there. In the days that inter
vcned she managed her son most
cleverly; and she said little or nothing
to him Of Lady Marion. If he preached
the subject, she changed 1t at once,
saying: LET the matter rest Tor a
while" she was so sorely afraid he
would draw back. Sho was kind TO
him ir he way; IL she saw his hand
some face looking distressed, pained,
or anxious, she would cheer him up
with bright words, with laughter, or
anything that would take the weight
of thought or care from him.
The Duke Of Lester was soon there.
Anything in which his niece was IN
terestcd was Of vital consequence TO
him; he had no particular liking for
that the young heiress had been given
into her charge rather than in that OF
his amiable wife. He went to Granada,
delighted with the news; he had heard
so much of the talents of Lord Chandos
that he was charmed with the idea of
his belonging to the family, IT had
been sore and heavy trial to the
duke that he had no son, that so many
honors and such great offices should
die with him. 1T was from that motive
that he had always felt an especial in
terest in the marriage or his beautiful
young niece
az she marries we'll" he said to him
self more than once, cher husband
must stand to me In the place OF n
SON"
II he had to choose from the wide
world, he would prefer Lord Chandos
from his singular talent, activity, and
capabilty for political life. He knew,
as every one else did that there had
been some little drawback in the young
lords life, some mysterious love-affair,
and he had not interested himself n It,
he never did take any interest in mat
tors OF that kind Evidently If, at any
time there had been a little faux pas,
II was rCmCdiCd. or SO worldlywise \
woman as Lady Lanswcll would never
In tat hi ~, "a 10 ut
SO the Duke of Lester, all amiability
and interest, gave the finishing touch
to Lord Chandos' fate. When he had
once spoken OF the matter, there was
no recedinG from 1t without scandal
that would have Mortified all England.
Tho dukes first words settled he
whole matter: he held out his hand in
rrankest, kindliest greeting to Lord
Chaudos
II hear very pleasant intelligence, 2"
ho said; land while congratulate YOU
I cougra tulate myself that am to have
the good fortune OF an alliance with
YOU"
Lady l.answell stood by, and there
was Il moments pause; perhaps she
never suffered such intensity of sus-
penso as she did during that moment.
for her sons face grew colorless, and
he looked as II he were going to draw
back. The next minute he had re-
covered himself and returned the
dukes greeting: then, and only then,
did the countess giyp a great SIGH Of
relief; there could be no mistake, no
drawing Gaek from anything which
the duke sanctioned.
That same day there was family
meeting. the earl and countess, Lord
| Chandus, the Duke Of Lester, Lady
! Marion Erskine, and Lady Cambrey;
! they all dincd together, and the duke
discussed with the countess The time o.
the marriage,
There was little said but that littl,
was binding; there could be no retreat
In the autumn. about September tn,
countess thought; and size suggest et
that they should not return to Eug
land for the marriage; 1t could tax,
place at the embassy at Paris, Their,
would he plenty OF time for distussin,
these details; the thing now was {,
settle the engagement. II gave grea
delight: the earl, 1t Is true had som
little scrnple, which he yentured t
express to his wife.
To BE Continued