The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-07

! 1Our lOruSnlp VIII HNpute-
First. what is the meaning of tn
preamble?''
Il have been your Iordshlp's secretar,
for six months. / have therefore peruset
all your lordship's letters. l have also il
my zeal for your lordShips interests look
ed about me, and | discovered what
ventured TO state " that preamble"
We'll, sir?"
Namely. that the Fylingdale estate.
are gone so far as your lordship's life i!
concerned, but in a word all is gone, anC
that-your lordship will pardon the plaiI
| truth-youf lordships credit cannot las
cate point to man of your lordship':
nice sense of honor-the only resource lief
is precarious."
| You mean
Il mean certain lady and a certain
bank"
How. sir? DO you dare? What ha.
put this suspicion into your head?''
Nay, my lord; have no thought but
for your lordship's interests, believe me-
And SO you tell me about the rustic
helress, and you propose plan
II have had the temerity to do so.
Yes. Tell me ONCE more about this
| girl and about her fortune
Her name is Molly Miller. She is an
orphan Her guardian is an honest salt
| or who has taken the greatest care OF
her property. She was an heiress already
| when her father died. That was eighteen
| years ago. She is now nineteen.
rs she passable-to look at? a holden
with high color. l warrant
"A cream colored compleXion touched
with red and pink, light hair in curls and
blue eyes, the face and figure of Venus,
the sweetest mouth in the world and the
fondcSt manner.
Hang me If the fellow isn't in love with
her himself, If she is all this. man, why
not apply yourself for the post OF
because her guardian keeps off all
would-be lovers and destines his ward
fDy least "A
he hopes"
He is ambitious. Now as to her Tor
tune.
She has a fleet of half dozen tall
vesseis-nay, there are more but / know
not how many. | was formerly a clerk in
counting house of the town. and L
learned a great deal-what each is worth
and what the freight of each voyage may
produce-but not all. The captain, her
guardian, keeps things close. My lord,
| can assure you from what | learned In
that capacity and by looking into old
books that she must be worth over Gl00,-
600, over 9100.O00."
Il can take this fortune without your
assistance"
with submission, my lord, you cannot
/ know too much. The girls fortune when
you have it will go the same way as your
rents and woods have gone. Provide for
me, therefore, before you begin TO spend
that money.
Il win give you life position, with
GOO a year. The girl, you say, has no
lover"
she has no lover Your lordship's
certainly carry the day. By, contrast
alone with the country pumpkins the
heart OF the girl will be won"
Mr.. Semple. his lordship yawned. do
you suppose that the heart of the girl
concerns me? Go and complete your
scheme"
The Lady Anastasia was in her dress
ing room in the hands of her friseur, the
was the young widow OF an old baronet.
She was also the daughter of an earl and
the sister of his successor. She there
fore enjoyed the freedom of a widow. the
happiness natural to youth and all the
privileges of rank. No woman could be
happier 1t was reported that her love
of the card table had greatly impaired
her income. The world said that her own
private dowry was wholly gone and
large part of her joiRture.
She kept q small establishment in
Mount Street. Her people consisted of
no more than two footmen, butler, a
our maids, with two chairmen. She did
not live as rich woman. She received
1t Is true, twice a week. on Sundays and
Wednesdays, but not with any expense
play cards, and she held. the bank for
them. On other evenings she went out
and played at the houses of her friends.
While the friseur was still completing
y u.
The lady blushed violently. She sat up
and looked anxiously in the glass.
Betty" she cried, "a touch of red not
much, you clumsy creature, win you
never learn TO have a lighter hand? Sol
That is better. l am horribly pale. His
lordship can wait in the morning room
You have nearly finished, monsieur?
Quick, then-the last touches, Betty, the
lowered satin petticoat, My fan. The
pearl necklace, So" She looked again
at the glass. Am l looking tolerable,
Betty"
Your ladyship is ravishlng." said Bet
t.. finishing the toilet.
Lady Anastasia swan out of the room
with gliding movement. then the fash
ion. and entered the morning room. where
Lord Fylingdale awaited her.
''Anastasiai' he said softly. taking her
hand 1t is very good of you to see me
alone. | feared you would be surrounded
with courtiers and fine ladies or with
singers. musicians. hair dressers, and 9TH |
err balloons. Permit me-" and he raised |
her hand to his lips. You look divine |
this morning. II Is long since | have |
seen you look so perfectly charming"
The lady murmured something. She was |
)ne OF those women who like above all |
-hirSs to hear praises Of what most they |
prize. their beauty, and to believe what |
they most desire to be the truth. the |
reservation and perfecting of that beau
y.
But you came to see me alone. Was il |
% tell me that | look charming? Other |
Not altogether that dear lady. though |
hat is something. | come to tell you OF |
| change of plans"
You have heard that the grand jury |
" hliddlesex has presented me by name as
corrupter of innocence and | know not
What. because / hold my bank on Sun
lay nights?'
Il have heard something of the matter.
t is almost time. 1 think, to give these
shopkeeDers lesson not to |
Interfere with the pursuits of persons of
ank. Let them confine themselves to the
'rentices who play at pitch and toss"
'Oh, what matters their preScntment? |
shall continue to keep the bank on Sun
lay nights Now. my dear lord, what
bout these plans2 What is changed?"
we thought, you remember. about go
ng to Tunbridge in July
Wen. snail we not go there?
Perhaps. But there is something to be
one FIRST. Let me confide in you-"
MY dear lord, you have never cOnfided
n anybody
Except in you. | think you know all
ny secrets, if / have any. In whom else
ortune me for places? In friends of the
reen talIe? In friends of the race |
curse? My dear Anastasia. you know, I
ssure you, as much about my personal
Hairs as | know myself"
IF you would always speak so kindly"
Ter eyes became humid, but not fearful. |
lady Of fashion must not spoil her
heck by tears
well then. the case is this: You know |
the condition of my afTairs-no one bet
n. An opportunity presents itself TO ef-
tct a great Improvement. ! am invited |
J the highest parsonage to take a more
ctlve part in the affairs of state. No one
to know this. For reasons connected
18th this proposal | am to visit u certain | ,
)wn-a trading town. town of rough
to conduct certain cnqui- |
les. There is to be a gathering at this ,
Iwn of the gentry aud people of the |
ounty. Would you like to go. my dear
lend? II will be next month"
TO leave town and in May, just be-
,rc the end of the season."