The Washington weekly post., 1900-10-02

the old duke is one of the strangest chap
iers in recent aristocratic history, and Ii
has not hitherto been told
Scarcely was the breath out of he
dukes body when the Marquis of Lorn.e
and his sisters. who had been summoned
to their fathers deatbed, left the castle
posthaste. The marquis named an early
date as the probable one for the inter-
ment. But he had reckoned without his
stepmother, TO whom had been left the
entire control of the funeral arrange
ments.
Determined to make the most of her ad-
vantage, the irate lady not only declined
TO arrange for the day suggested by the
marquis, but absolutely refused to fix any
day for the ceremony at ALL Day after
day the family waited at Roseneath-the
Marquis OF Lorne's residence on the es-
/ tate-in the vain expectation of the inyi-
tanon which never came. Messenger
after messenger was sent reporters flock
cd to Inverary castle, unofficial inquiries
came from Balmoral, always to receive
the same answer. 1.-The bereaved duchess
was too PROSTATE with grief to come TO
any decision"
II is new nearly three weeks since the
old gentleman's death. Every day brought
fresh bdttalions of ndeTs
and Lowlandcrs, crofters, and clansmel-
all eager TO pay their last respects 10 the
chieftain who had lorded il over them for
more than fifty years. Their gray tartan
costumes, combined with the inspiring
strains of the bagpipes. lent an unusual
air OF testlyity 10 the grim old castle, de-
spite the fact that the black galley OF
Lorne stlll noated from the topmast
tower in token of mourning
IL was getting past q joke The Princess
Louise appealed to the Queen Next day
down came a royal servant the bearer of
an autograph letter from her majesty ior
the widow of Argyle. In sympathetic
terms her majesty requested TO be in
formed as 10 the arrangements made for
| the obsoquies. and trusted the last wishes
OF the late duke would De carried out In
every particular.
This time the bereaved duchess was
fairly aroused from her prostration, The
royal letter required reply, and she felt
quite equal to the task. With extraordi-
nary brusqueness the aged queen was re-
minded that the writer and mo one else
had been the wife of the late Duke of
terference was needed as to the conduct
of the funeral, which would be arranged
when and how il suited her grace
There was seemingly nothing more 10 be
said, but the queen sent curt command
that her majesty was 10 have timely no.
tice Of the date appointed for the funeral
so that ii should not clash with any state
function.
ne lOilUNuaI IldO DceH IlNcu lOr
the state drawing room at Buckingham
palace 1t struck her as the most suisa-
bic day In the world for tine belated obSe-
duies of the duke. Withou; more ado,
the body was removed from the castle 10
the parish church. Not a wreath. cross.
or symbol OF affection from any of his
grace's kith or kin-only a simple crown
OF forget-me-nots from his devoted con-
scrt-decoratcd the bier The funeral ser
vice was hastily read in the presence Of
- har hartSaknl1 an ha
idly assembled tenants. and the funeral
cortege, consisting of the hearse end a
single mourning carriage, conveying the
widcw and her companion. set on on
forty-miie jaunt to the Campbell vault al
Ktlmun.
When the news reached Buckingham
palace the royalties were already in the
throne room. and the elite Of London So
ciety assembling in the ante-chsmbers.
II was too late 70 postpone the drawing
room hasty order was given. bidding
the Guards band 10 cease playing in the
quadrangle and d telegram dispatched 10
Princess Louise directing her 10 await
the arrival OF her father-in-law's remains
az kilmun-
PROCESSION gained its destination. and by
the light OF the twinkllng stars the Ne
Callum More was at last consigned 20
the tomb OF his ancestors, there 10 sleep
hesfde the beautiful Cunning the heroic
who gave his head for the faith in is6i
TIE duke had left instructions that his
remains should be cremated. But this
could not be done without the Marquis Of
I,Orne and his sisters becoming aware OF
the ARRANGEMENT and so giving them the
opporiunity OF attending the funeral So
the body was buried In the usual way.
The Duchess Ina. needless TO say. is out
OF favor al court, but she is lady OF In
Seneudent spirit. who orders her life in
her own way The present duke has the
privilege OF paving her a handsome dow-
er which with her other charges on fhs
estate. amounts To such sum that he
has let Inverarv cdstle-never before in
the possession OF a stranger-to Mr.. Ia a.
son tombstone. who made his fortune out
VI BoYriL