Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-01-09

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| she had come to iinai resolution. She
should leave the Priory at once and
abandon all idea Of Q matrimonial ALI
ance with it's heir. Inconsistent as this
might seem to her selfish, worldly ma
ture, IL was nevertheless in keeping
with a certain pride and independence
that were In her blood. She did not love
Lord Algernon, neither did she love hen
grandfather. She was equally willing
to sacrifice either or both. She knew
that neither Lord Algernon nor his IA
ther would make her connections IN
objection, however they might wish tc
keep the fact secret, or otherwise dis
pose Of them by pensions or emigration,
but she could not bear to know 1t her
self. She never could be happy as the
mistress of Scrooby Priory with that
knowledge. She did not idealize 1t rs a
principle. Carefully weighing 1t by hel
own practical common sense, she said
| to herself that lit wouldn't pay" The
highest independence is often akin tc
the lowest selfishness She did moi
dream that the same pride which kept
her grandfather from the workhouse,
supported by his daughters. and kept
him from communicating with his own
son now kept her from acknowledging
them, even for the gift Of a title and
domain.
There was only one question before
her-should she stay long enough to re-
ceive the proposal Of Lord Algernon
and then decline itf Why should she
not snatch that single feminine JOY out
Of the ashes of her burned up illusion
She knew that an opportunity would
be offered that afternoon. The party
were to take tea ut Broxby Hall, and
Lord Algernon was to drive her there
in his dogcart. Miss Desborongh had
gone up to her bedroom to put on a
warmer cloak and had rung twice OF
thrice impatiently for her maid. When
the girl made her appearance, apollo
getic, voluble and excited. Miss Desbor-
ough scarcely listened to her excuses,
until a siugle word suddenly arrested
her attention. 1t was "old Debs. F"
what are you talking aboutr' said
Sadie. pausing in the adjustment Of her
hat on her brown hair.
"Old Debs. miss; that's what they
call him, an old park keeper, just found
dead in pool Of water in the fields
the grandfather Of one of the servants
here-and there's such an excitement
in the servants hall. The gentlemen
all knew it, too, for heard Lord
Algernon say that he was looking very
queer lately and might have had fit,
and Lord Beverdale has sent word to
the coroner. And only think. the peopl,
here are such fools that they daren't
touch or move the poor man. and him
lying there in the rain all the time, un-
til the coroner comes"
Miss Desborough had been steadily
regarding herself in the glass TO see II
she had turned pale. She had. She set
her teeth together until the color partly
returned. But she kept her face away
from the maid. "That'll do, she said
quietly lyon can tell me all later.
have some important news myself. and
/ may not go otft after all want you
TO take note for me- She went to
her table, wrote line in pencil. folded
it, scribbled an address upon it, handed
1t TO the girl and gently pushed her
from the room.
The consul was lingering on the ter
race beside one Of the carriages At a
little distance groom was holding the
nervous thoroughbred Of Lord Alger-
mons dogcart. Suddenly he felt touch
on his shoulder. and Miss Desborough's
maid put a note in his hand. 1t con-
tanned only line:
Please come and see me In the library. but
without making any iua about II, at once.
sd.
The consul glanced around him. Nc
one had apparently noticed the incl
dent He slipped back into the house
and made his way to the library. II
was long gallery. At the farther end
Miss Desborough stood cloaked, veiled
and coquettishly hated. She was look,
ing very beautiful and animated. 81
want you to please do me a great IA
vor," she said. with an adorable smile,
''as your own country woman. you
know, for the sake Of Fourth Of July
and pumpkin pie and the old flag.
don't want to go to this circus today.
am going TO leave here tonight. ! am,
honest Injinl want yen to manage it.
want you to say that as consul you I'VE
received important news for me-the
death Of some relative, il You like, or,
better, something affecting my prop
erty. you know"-with little satirical
laugh. II guess that would fetch 'em
So go Mt once"
But really, Miss Desborough, do let
us talk this over before you decide, "
implored the bewildered consul. Think
what disappointment to your host
and these ladies. Lord Algernon expects
to drive you there-he is already wait
ing The party was got up for you.
Miss Desborough made slight grimace.
81 mean you ought to sacrifice some
thing-but trust there Is really moth
ing serious-to them"
"If you do not speak to them, /
will" said Miss Desborough firmly.
eff you say what tell You, it will
come the more piausibly from You.
Gomez Ny mind Is made up. One OF
Us must break the news. Shall it be
you or II" She drew her cloak over
her shoulders and made step forward.
The consul saw shs was determined.
"Then wait here till / return, but keep
yourself out Of sight he said and hur-
ried away. Between the library and the
terrace he conceived his plan. His per-
plexity lent him a seriousness which
befitted the gravity Of the news he had
TO disclose. ~ am sorry to have to tell
you" he said. taking Lord Beverdale
aside, ''that / was the unlucky bearer
Of some sad news to Miss Desborough
this morning through my consular let
ters-some matter concerning the death
Of q relation Of hers and some weari-
some question Of property. l thought
that it was Of little Importance, and
thst she would not take IL seriously, but
I find ! was mistaken. It may even
oblige her to catch the London train
tonight. / promised to make her ex-
cuses to you for the present, and I'm
afraid must add my own to them, a.
abe wishes me 70 stay and advise her