Evening star., 1901-06-08

which he had advocated. He took up the
task with brisk directness.
It's like this, Harry. You remember
that the unsuccessful claimant in the
Bearsdale case got a barony? That's our
precedent But it's felt not to go quite all
the way, because there was a doubt there.
But it is felt that in the event of the two
branches of your family being united it
would be proper toto obliterate paSt-er-
incidents. And that could be done by rails
ing You to the peerage, under new and,
az we hope, a superior title. We believe
Mr.. Disney would. unuer the circumstances
have suggested, be prepared to recon-
mend a viscOunty, and that there would
prove to be no difficulties in the way
They watched him as he digested the pro-
posal, at last made TO him in tolerably
plain form. You must give me a moment
to follow that out he said. with smile.
But he had it all clear enough before; he
would allow them to perceive that he un-
derstood. For. although his brain made
easy work of it, his feelings demanded
pause. He was greatly surprised. He had
thought of such thing. What differ
ence would 1t make?
Soutnend was well satisfied with the way
in which his overture was received. Lady
Evenswood was watching intently.
THE idea Is said Harry slowly, II
mean-I don't quite gather what it is. You
talk of my cousin, and then of a viscounty.
The two go together, do they?'
1t was rather an awkward question put
as hluntly as that
"Well, that did seem to be Mr. Disneys
view, said Southend-
He was thinking of the family-of the
family as whole. IN sure you think of
that. too urged Lady EvenSWOod There
would never be a Tristram who did not,
she thinking. Well. except Addie per-
haps who really thought of nothing "Of
course. as thing purely personal to you it
might be just little difficult" She meant
and intended Harry to understand that
without the marriage the thing could not
be done at all.
There was ground for hope; Harry hesi-
tated-truth will out, even where it impairs
the grandeur of men The suggestion had
its attractions; 1t touched the spring of the
picturesque In him which Blnkhampton
had left rusting in idleness. 1t suggested
something In regard to Cecfly, too; where Ii
was he did not reason out very clearly at
the moment. Anyhow, what was purposed
would create new situation and put him
In a different position toward her In brief
he would have something more on his side
Once he We're sure the proposal was
agreeable to you murmured Lady Evens
wood gently She was still very tentative
about the matter. and still watchful of
Harry.
But Southend was not cautious or did
J not read his man so we'll To him the
battle seemed to be won. He was assured
In his manner and decidedly triumphan mt
as he said:
ITS great thing to have screwed Dis
ney up to the viscounty. 1t does away
| with all difficulty about the name YOU
see" 'oN
Harry looked up sharply. Had Mr. Dis
ney peen screwed up Who had screwed
him up-by what warrant-on whose COM
mission? That was enough to make him
glover and to bring back something Of the
oid-time look of suspicion to his face But
the greater part of his attention was ON
crossed by the latter half of Southend's =
| ill-advised bit of jubiation
THE name? The difficulty about the
name?" he asked.
II 1t had been a barony-well. hers
Ike
the higher degree yours will come first
and her baIony be merged-Viscount
Blentmouth. eh. Harry?" He chuckled
with glee.
'Viscount Blentmouth be hangedr' cried
Harry. He mastered himself with an ef-
fort Il beg your pardon, Lady Evens-
wood; and I'm much obliged to you and to
you, too. Lord Southend. for-for screwinp
Mr.. Disney up It's not a thing 1 could
or should have done, or tried to do, for
myself" In spite of attempted calmness
his voice grew a little louder. Il want
nothing but what's my own. If nothinE's
my own. well and good. 1 can wait till
make it something
| But. my dear Harryr' began the dis
comiited Southend.
| Harry cut him short breaking again into
| impetuous speech
There nothing between my cousin and
me- Iheres no question of marriage. and
never can De. Ana II there we're" He
seemed to gather himself up for a flight Of
scorn- IL there We're, do You think I'm
| going to save my pride by saddling
| the family with a beastly new viscounty?' ?''
His tones rose in indignation ON the last
sentence. as he looked from one to the
other. "Viscount Blentmouth, indeedp' he
growled.
Southends hands Were out before him in
| signal of bewfldered distress. Lady Evens-
| wood looked at Harry, then, with a quick
forward inclination of her body, passed
| him. and she began to laugh.
THANK You very much; but I've been
Trtstram OF Blent,' ended Harry, now In .