Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-06-01
Continued.

his parents since the lawsuit began.
Once or twice Lord Chandos and the
earl had met; but the earl always re-
fused to discuss matters with him.
You must talk to my lady, my dear
boy" he would reply; you know that
she manages everything" and Lord
Chandos, fearing no evil, laughed at
what he considered an amiable weak
ness on his fathers part.
Il love my wife," he said to himself,
but no woman should ever be so COM
pletely mistress of me. l shall always
keep my independence, even though |
love my wife perhaps better than any
man living; but l will never give up
my independence.
He was somewhat startled that
morning in September to find a tele-
gram waiting him at River View from
Cawdor, stating that Lord Lanswell
wished him to take the first train, as
he had news of the utmost Importance
to him. Lady Lanswell, who was a
most complete woman of the world,
had warily contrived that piece of
real good fortune should at the same
time fall to his lot. She had great
influence at court, and she had used it
to some purpose. There was royal
wedding on the continent, and he was
one of the two English noblemen
chosen as the representatives of Eng
lish royalty. There could be no re-
fusal of such an honor; Lady Lanswell
knew that; and she, knowing that
Lord Chandos would be delighted over
it, had used all her influence, hoping
that it would distract his attention
from the decision given and from his
wife. She had arranged little pro-
gram in her mind-how it should all
be managed; she would send tele-
gram summoning him to Cawdor; she
would first show him the letter of APP
pointment, induce him TO answer by
accepting it; then, when the letter ac-
cepting the appointment had gone, and
he was committed beyond recall, she
would tell him the judicial decision
over his marriage
The telegram reached River View
one morning when Lord Chandos and
Leone sat at a late breakfast table,
Leone looking like radiant spring
morning, her beautiful face, with its
exquisite coloring, and her dainty
dress of amber and white.
"a telegram" she said. "Oh, Lance,
how l dread the sight of those yellow
envelopes; they always fill me with
horror; they always seem to be the
harbinger of bad news.
He kissed the beautiful face before
he opened the telegram.
There is no very bad news here, !"
he said. Il must go to Cawdor at
once; my father has some very impor-
tant news for me-
Some instinct seemed to warn her of
coming danger; she rose from her seat
and went over to him; she laid her
tender arms round his neck, she laid
her beautiful face on his.
at means harm to us, Lance" said
she; Il am sure OF it..
Nonsense, my darling" he cried;
chow can it be about us? Most likely
there is a general election, or some
business of that kind coming on, and
he wants to see me about it,"
Still the beautiful face grew paler,
and the shadows deepened in the dark
eyes.
Shall you go at once?" she asked.
Lord Chandos looked at his watch.
THE train starts at twelve" he said.
II must go in half an hours time, Le-
one"
Half an hour" she said, and the
tender hands clasped him more tight
ly; only half an hour, Lance?"
Some prophetic instinct seemed to
come over her; the passionate love on
her beautiful face deepened into trag
edy; yet he had never breathed one
word to her of what had taken place.
She knew nothing of the lawsuit; and
Lord Chandos never intended her to
know anything about it; but with the
chill of that autumn morning came a
chill of doubt and fear such as she had
never known before.
"How long shall you be away?' she
asked.
"Not one moment longer than l am
compelled to stay" he replied. IF
my father really wants to see me on
election affairs / may be absent two
days. Trust me, Leone. The first
moment l am free l shall return" and
drawing her beautiful face down to his
own the young husband kissed 1t with
passionate devotion, little dreaming
of what lay before him.
"Only half an hour" said Leone.
"Oh, Lance, let me spend 1t with you.
l will order your portmanteau to be
packed; my dear, do not let me leave
you for one moment"
She drew little stool and sat down
at his feet.
Lord Chandos laughed.
"One would think We were lovers
STILL"
She looked at him with that won
derful expression OF face. so earnest, so
intent, so lofty.