The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1901-09-14

- ~. ~ first thing he did
was to send note to the earl, saying
that all difficulty was removed his
daughter had consented; the only
thing remaining was for him to ask
1er TO settle the wedding day.
Lord Caraven read it through, then
crushed it in his hands, and finally
/ tore it into shreds and threw it under
his feet He had not brought himself
Co q proper state of submission yet.
HE would have given the whole world
TO escape from Arley Ransome; but
che choice was plain enough-ruin,
shame, despair, or marriage with the
&sark-eyed girl who was mot his STYLE
and whom he was quite sure he should
never like. 5ss
The marriage should take place in
due course. The Ransomes had as it
were drawn him-nay, forced him
into 1t; the consequences must recoil
ON themselves. In his own mind he
considered the daughter quite as bad
as the father-indeed he made little
distinction between them. The union
was to be; there was no further need
of scruple. They wanted his title he
wanted their money. He would be
civil to them, they could not expect
more GFr. aS4s f
On that evening Mildred Ransome
received letter and ring. The en-
velGpe bore a crest and she knew at
once shat it was from Lord Caraven.
The contents were short, but to the
purpose; 1T was not love letter, for
There was no semblance of love in it.
My Dear Miss Ransome: I have to
Shank you for your consent to my
then came a word that had been care
fully obliterated and wishes" written
over it. with your permission will
call tomorrow. I have sent you an en-
gageanent ring-will you wear it? 1
am yours"-here there was an illegi-
BILE word ME- -fH.s.s@ 2:g. .s.s...ss
? '.. p" "*ULRIC CARAVEN.'
She laid the letter down with sigh
s. and smile. She had fancied that
love letter would be very different.
:" She opened the little parcel that ac-
=. companied the note; it contained
= magnificent diamond ring-her engage
- ment ring. She. placed it on her fin
:ssssger, and the sun falling on it made it
tzsEaine like fire. Still, as she looked at
ut, her eyes filled with tears She
Twuagd have liked some one to put the
ring Oh her finger; although she was
engaged to be married, and was to
he countess, she felt very lonely
and desolate. g.. ..%
Arley Ransome smiled when he saw
the ring. At least it was an earnest
of good things to come. Se s'*
VERY nice, very appropriated said
tine lawyer really ring suitable
for the coming Lady Caraven.''
The day after brought Lord Caraven
himself
That interview was something to be
remembered. Mr.. Ransome, hoping to
make matters smooth and pleasant,
had invited his future son-in-law to
dine with him. and that he might not
feel dull had asked the humorous and
brilliant talker Mr.. Carwey to join
them ~ H ss L., S. 4
1t was well that he had done so, for
the actual presence Of her lover seemed
AT him whenever she found that he
was looking elsewhere. She thought
him very handsome. His indolent,
careless grace contrasted so favorably
with her fathers sharp, brisk manner
She wondered why the earl looked
worn and llaggard. He III was only
twenty eight, her father said She
wondered, too, why he was not more
senpresse in his manner. He took her
down to dinner, and the only words
they exchanged were about the warmth
of the day. During dinner they never
spoke, save for the most ordinary civ
f1Ities. When dinner was over, the
earl evidently preferred the society OF
AIR. CARNEY to hers. 4
" why had he asked to marry her if
NE did not care to talk to her?, she
said to herself. How strange It
vast Then her father invited Mr..
CARNEY to have a game at chess, and
the earl walked slowly across the
sgooOm to where she was sitting. He
stood by her side, tall, stately, de-
spite his indolent grace OF manner.
Her heart beat. What was he going
TO say? He bent his head somewhat
stfaiy
Il have to thank yoq, Miss Ran
some" he said, for honering me by
wearing my ring. !, x
She looked UP at him, and there was
nm timing in the calm gaze of the
sI,'ire eyes before which he shrank as
SheT father had done.
You wished me to wear it, did you
not :" she asked. My father thought
~a0.'' 7.1 B
Certainly. am delighted
Try as he would, he could not CON
seal . tone OF irony. She detected it
snd looked at him again. He bowed
h sand continued
am fortunate indeed. / have to
s1ask, you. Miss Ransome, now that you