Arizona republican., 1899-01-06
CHAPTER XXI


 MR. HARDCASTLE VENTURES. It is necessary now to account for the presence of the American party in Eng land.
 When Mir. Hardcastle revealed the contents of Harry,s letter to the in mates of his house, you may be sure there was rejoicing.
 And the very next morning, when he had, settled himself in his study tC write long letter to Harry, he was visited by no less a person than Mrs. Evesham, who blushingly excused her intrusion.
 My dear friend,'' she said, when she had seated herself, ''I have come to beg ;he favor of your counsel in matter which l am quite incompetent to de- .ide.''
 ''Ah, pray command me-" And sure y, Mir Hardcastle, there was no need for you to leave your comfortable arm chair and assume a far less luxurious one, because it happened to be q few feet nearer to your interesting visitor.
 Well, sir, you see," the lady con- 5inued, T have just been having a most extraordinary and unexpected inter- view with George Arundel
 "A pleasant one, I am sure.''
 Well, l hardly can tell. Will you believe it, the foolish fellow has fallen Il love with my Kate, and wants to marry her?"
 II will very readily believe it." MT. liardcastle responded. And I think Inc young gentleman exhibits excel lent taste. But what does the lady say?''
 "Oh, am afraid that she encourages him in the proposition. But, do you not see, Mr. Hardcastle, that this is impos- sible?'
 T don't, indeed"
 What, don't you see that, with this young mans prospects of becoming tho Earl of Arlington, such a match would be-
 Unsuitable? Not a bit of it, A well brought up American girl-the daughter of such mother as you-is, in my opinion match for the proudest prince in Christsndom.
 '.Then you think I should give my consent?''
 If your daughters happiness is linked with his I am sure you should. George Arundel has in my opinion q patent of nobility grander than that granted by any king. He is generous, honorable and affectionate-what more would you asll?''
 You plead well for the young peo- pie, Mir. Hardcastle.'
 'Yes," he said. And if I could only plead as well for myself, Esther Eve sham, I should think myself happy man.
 The widow flushed scarlet, but never helped him with word.
 ''I know it is madness for me to sup pose at my time of life that I could win a woman's love, nor did I ever think that I should meet a woman whose love I coveted so much as I do yours. 1 believe that, if you could for get my years, and consent to share my life, I could make yours happy. You see, your daughter will be marrying this English lord. Harry will be mating with Wanda, and you and I will be left alOne.'' ''Oh, it wouldn't be for that, Mir. Hard castle, if Tiff l said yes-but-" the widow stammered. ''But?'' ''But, oh, do love you with all my heart and soul. think you one of the noblest men God ever made'' She was sobbing in his arms, and AL exander Hardcastle knew that he had won the faithful heart. And what surprised these two shame faced lovers, when they confessed the fact, was that no one was one bit as tCnishcd, but rendered their loving con- gratulations as though it was quite an everyday occurrence for groom of sixty-onc to lead to the altar bride of twO-and-forty. Bladon carried the news to George Arundel. He had a wonderful respect | for the old gentleman since he had done so much for his masters family, and there was a genuine ring of sympathy in his tone as he said:
 ''Poor Mir. lIarticastle, he's gone an done it at last, Master George-but I've l1nowed for the past few weeks there was no hope for him." What" Arundel cried, in startled disnay. "Something happened to that fine fellow?"