Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-05-04
Continued.


thrilled. This was 10 be the last night
in her old home-the last OF her girlish
life tomorrow she would be Lady
Chandos-wife of the young lover
whom she loved with all her heart and
soul.
The birds woke her with their song:
it was their wedding-day. She would
not see Robert Noel again; he took his
breakfast before six and Went off 20
the fields again. She had but TO dress
herself and so to the station. Ohetcn
was some three miles from the station,
but on a summers morning that was
a Jrihe.
They were all three there at last
Sir Frank looking decidedly veNed and
cross, Lord Chandos happy as the day
was long. and Leone beautiful as
picture.
Look" said the young lordling 20
his friend, =" have no eNcuse?'
Sir Frank looked long and earnestly
at the beautiful southern face.
Yes he replied, so far as beautr
and grace can fol N an excuse, you
have one; but, Lance, if | loved th",
girl a thousand times better than my
life, l should not marry her
"Why?' asked Lord Chandos with
laugh.
Because she has tragedy in her
life. she could not be happy. She
will neither have a happy life nor a
happy death
My dear Frank, do mot prophesy
such evil on our wedding day"
Il do not mean to prophesy; | say
what | think; it is a beautiful face,
full of poetry and passion, but it is
also full of power and unrest"
you shall not look at her again if
you say such things" cried Lord Chan
dos.
And then the good vicar, still dis
tressed at being aroused SO early, came
to the church. Had it been less pitiful
and pathetic, it would have been most
comical the number of times the old
vicar dropped his book, forgot the
names, the appalling mistakes he
made, the nervous hesitation of his
manner. Sometimes Lord ChandoS
felt inclined to say hard, hot words;
again, he could not repress smile.
But at length, after trembling and hes
itating the vicar gave the final benedic-
ton, and pronounced them man and
wife.
In the vestry, when the names were
signed, some ray of light seemed 10
dawn on the old vicar.
"Chandos," he saiu, that is not 4
common name about here.
is it not?" said the young lord; ct
seems common enough to me.
"Chandos," repeated the minister,
where have | heard that name?"
II have heard it SO often that am
tired of it," said the young husband.
And then it was all over
"Thank God to be out in the sun
light" he cried as he stood, with his
beautiful wife, in the churchyard
Thank God it is all over, and | can
call my love my wife. ] thought that
service would never end. Frank,
have you no good wishes for my wife,"
Sir Frank went to Leone.
Il wish you joy" he said; Il wish
you all happiness but"
And then he played neryously with
the hat he held in his hand.
But" she said with a bright smile,
you do not think shall get it?''
Sir Frank made no answer; he did
not think she would be happy, but she
had chosen her own way; he had said
all he could. Perhaps his eyes were
clearer than others, for he could reaa
tragedy in her face. Then Sir Frank
left them, having performed his part
with a very i'll grace.
Leone, have you said goodbye TO
your uncle9" asked Lord Chandos.
Il left little note to be given him
when he returns home this evening,
How he will miss me"
and how fortunate | am to have
you, my darling; there is no one in
the wide world so happy. We Will
drive over to Rashleigh Station do
not care who sees me now, no one can
part us. Dr. Hervey thinks ! went
home to London this morning, but |
won wife before starting, did | not,
Leone, my beautiful love? You are
Lady Chandos now. What are you
thinking Of, my darling"
II was wondering, Lance II there
was anything in our marriage that
could possibly invalidate it and make
it illegal?"
No" he replied, Il have been too
careful Of y.u, Leone. for that You
are my wife before God and man.
Nothing shall take you from me but
death"
"But death" she repeated slowly.
And in after years they both remem-
bered the words.
CHAPTER TX.