The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-12-01

When the engagement of Lady Mary
Applegate to Sir Robert Black was an
nounced, most of the young lady
friends asked one another how on earth
she managed to catch him.
For Sir Robert Black, Bart, of Radcot,
owner of a great fortune and man of
good family, was not only amiable, agree
able and accomplished, but at the age of
thirty Live, was looked upon as one of
the lights of the Liberal party and likely
TO beach great position in the state il
and when that hapless party came into
power again; while Lady Mary was the
almost penniless sister of the Earl of
Potter Heigham, whose poverty caused
him to spend most of his time outside his
native country.
How on earth did she manage to
catch him?" they asked one another.
She's twenty only passably good
looking, and everyone knows that for
years she has been unsucessfully striving
TO find a desirable husband
Il wonder" said her dear friend, Lady
Kicking whether poor Sir Robert
knows that dear Mary has had a hot
at half the eligibles in London, that she
became Roman Catholic in the hope
OF catching Lord Thursie, that she turn
Cd Protestant again when pursuing Sir
William Mundesley, that she golfed at
poor Francis Slapton, fished al the Duke
of TOrcross, Stunned at Lord Camille,
acted at Freddy Faringdon, and, in fact
has been all things to all eligibles except
wife,
Lady Hickling does not cknow-indeed.
no one save Lady Mary Black and the
chronicler knows-by what means Lady
Mary caught her husband Here is the
plain and rather ugly true tale Lady
Mary met Sir Robert in August at the
Lechlades's, where there was a big house
party. When she arrived she found that
TWO girls, prettier and younger than her
self aid helped by mothers, were counting
s.: Robert. The lookout seemed bad, and
the poor orphan was in despair until she
perceived that she had mere bunglers II
compete with-girls, one of whom thought
that pretty face and exaggerated. de-
mureness would win the day. whilst the
O'Her relied upon goods looks and slangy
-Iveliness of manner.
chat with her Old friend the Hon
Charlie WriOthesley, showed Lady Mary
that the way to SIR Roberts good book
lay through Blue Books, and that she
must pose as serious, intelligent young
woman in order to have any chance.
The butler was surprised to find her al
clock one morning in the library
SraVely studying HanSard; the house
maid was amazed to discover political
books in her bedroom, and whenever
.
Il expect dear Mary has it,
Sir Robert soon took an interest in the
Intelligent well dressed, pleasant look
Ing II hardly handsome girl who lis
tened eagerly to his most serious con
Versation and surprised him with the
range of her knowledge and soundness
of her judgment in agreeing with all rjs
views after thoughtful discussion. On
one occasion she amazed him by quoting
some sentences from vyni I-
first brought him irto prominence, and
her hesitating avowal that she had stud
led his career because he seemed to heI
the most picturesque figure in modern
politics caused him one of the keenest
pleasures of his life. Yet, after a fort
night Lady Mary felt that she was max
ing no progress. She guessed, and
guessed correctly, that the other girls
or, at least, their mothers-were at the
bottom of the matter Sir Robert was
far too busy with politics to know much
about society or its gossip, and Mary
was right in her assumption that he al
first would be ignorant of everything
about her or her history; but the poor
girl could not prevent her rivals anC
their allies from telling him tales con
corning her and her search for hus.
band, and although, relying upon Wha
he assumed to be his judgment of hui
man character, Sir Robert dsbelieve(
nearly all that was told to him. there re
manned in his mind an unpleasant feel
ing that Lady Mary Applegate might be
charming, intelligent young lady, but
was also dangerous fiirt and &
schemer.
When Lady Mary guessed the difficulty
there were many frOwns upon the white
forehead which she displayed more Law
ishly TO Sir Robert than to any previous
object of her pursuit, and her we'll cut
rather large mouth, her best feature
pursed itself up time after time while
she wondered and planned. weel
went by. Lady Mary was in despair
She recognized with pain the fact tina
not only was she unlikely to succeed
but also that for the first time in he
life she was trying to win something
more than a wealthy husband; she wa
trying to win a man.
ITO think" she said to herself, ct
think l am caught in my own trap an.
that l would gladly marry him if he los
his fortune and position! To think l an
in love at last, and have no hope, HOY
am l to convince him that l am no
half so bad as those girls pretend, an
that l. really care for him, and not for hi
money and position?"
Two sleepless nights aggravated tn
position, since, as she grimly told her
self, She had no margin of beauty t
play with, and hollow eyes and pal
cheeks were d terrible discount to a gir
never more than passably good look
ing.
Suddenly Sir Robert was called to tow
on business, but made a promise to re
turn in two days, and poor Mary adde
another to her collection OF sleeples
nights.
Next morning Mary ate no breakfast
and, on plea of headache, went up earl
TO her room. At midday she jumped OF
the sofa, on which she had been lying
with a look of excitement in her eyes.
IN do it, she said to herself; it
desperate trick, it's a wicked trick
It's shameful; but they say 'alls fair il
love or war; though I'm sure that's quit
untrue
She sat down and began to write. He
first letter was addressed to Sir Robert
1t was short and simple. She venture
10 remind him that he had promised t
bring from his town house two or tire
books on the Indian frontier question
in which he took a great interest.
The next letter was addressed to he
friend, Charlotte Claireville. The fou
pages of the first sheet were mere GOSSIP
and friendly chatter; the rest Of tn
letter must be set out verbatim:
"And now I must tell you of a NOR
serious matter of one concerning VIII q
l can hardly speak, and, indeed, coul
not unbosom myself except to YOU alon
in this wide world. You know very we
what my life has been and what Iittl