Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-10-03


speak. Mrroiy things of public noto-
rety. That YOU ere a gambler ana a
rake; that YOU have ruincd mary: that
you arc r'incd yourscll-quitc enough
for Il girl OF her class to learn. In our
rank We want much moro before we
turn or hHci; upon Il man. | myself
know much more. Yet | have married
you."
"Sho has heard" Lord iyingdalc re-
rcatrd
"ncAr. dear" said the parson. an
this is most unfortunate most unfor-
tunatc. Your lordShip had already lost
your brihr-lost her" he repeated.
Lost her and her fortune. Is there no
way OUT
"Who brought these reports? Show
me the man
"Ta-ta-ta, You need not blustcr Lu-
doyic. Reports of this Kind are in the
air; they cling to your name; they
travel with you. What: The notor-
Gus Lord Tylngdalc? They have come.
you SEQ, mt last, oven to this unfashion-
able corner Of the island. They are
here, although we have done so much
to declare your virtues. Acknowledge
that YOU Lave been fortunate so far
".\rc tt.rsc reports your doing. mad
am? Is :lis part of your informal
jealousy"
Il 90 lot know who put them about.
1t is not likely that shoUld start such
reports, especially after the scandal Mt
Bath am, in fact like his reverence
here, too much involved myself. Oh,
we have beautiful characteristic three
OF US"
"N'ho told Mcly:'
81 say that know nothing. She has
been warned. That is all l can tell
you, and she has been advised to ta!.c
no furth"r steps until full explanations
have been made in answer to these ru-
mOrS."
Full cXHlanatious' repeated Mr..
rurdcn. Dear, dear! Most unfortu
natc-most unfortuuatc.'
"Nour lordShip can refer to his rcv-
erencc here, or 20 the admirable Sem
pie, or to the immaculate Sir Harry, or
to the colonel. that man of nice ard
we'll Known honor for your character.
But who will give them q character?
Understand she elid, facing him.
you had lost your bride before you got
ont Of bed this morning. Your only
chance is to initiate the example of
rom Rising and to carry her off, and
she VIII then stick n knife between
your ribs. as she intended to do to that
worthy gentleman. But, no; forgot.
You cannot do that. You are already
married."
His revercncc again interposcd. with
submission, my lord, some eXplana-
tons will be asked. 1t will not GER
taiuly be convenient to offer any. There
is, however, one way, and only one,
that | can suggest" lie looked at
the Lady Auastasia, at will be per-
haps at first d!Stastcful TO her lady.
ship. 1t las, however, the very great
advantage Of securing the fortune,
which, take Il, is what your lo:dship
chiefly desires. As regards the girl,
she is. in point Of manners and appear
ance, 50 far beneath your lordship's no.
ticc that we need not consider her in
the matter"
81 care nothing about the girl. Blu.
hang me If understand one single syl-
liable of what you mcan-or how you
can secure the fortune without the
girl"
"a moment. Madam saw her way
to the revenge of jealousy. She took
the place Ot the bride, and she was
married ~ Miss Molly. She signed The
name OF Molly Miller; the license was
in that name. The clerk who Was
present has. | am sure, already carried
the neWs al over the place. We have
The evidence, therefore, Of the bride
groom, the pGrsOn. the clerk, the liz
ccnse and the registers. Who is TO
prove that the real Molly was at home
all the time? Captain Crowlc, perhaps,
though doubt. The girl herself Put
who will Oriievc her? My lord. Won
have married ajlss molly ana not the
Lady AnaStaSla."
"What thpuT'
"Nou have only 10 claim your bride"
Sir, you forget that am the hridc,''
Lady AuaS,asia interpo*cd qucly.
Mr.. Purdcn bowed and smiled. rub
bling his hands softly. "Wi,h submiS.
sion, r!1dam. "a not advise that his
lordShip should carry hcr Off nor that
he should claim her al mcnsam ct tho
rum, rs we scholars say. Hi; priuci-
pI"3 would not am sure, allow that
he should carry OF an unmarried wom-
an. Nu1 at all lie will leave her with