The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-05-12

ed the vicar. She can write. l have
seen the registers. She has signed in
full round hand without bad spelling
The woman. therefore. is educated My
dear, we may perhaps ind the woman.
Ny worthy and pious brother in orders
is most certainly in the conspiracy.
When there are three. one is generally
a traitor. To begin with, the scheme is
both bold and dangerous. Ii is the first
step toward obtaining a large sum of
money under false pretenses- Their necks
are in danger. even the neck of noble
earl.
1T is inconceivable," he went on after
little reflection. how woman could
be found to play such part. She must
be the mistress of the earl. No other
could be trusted
What should be done meantime?''
I'VE must meet the enemy on his own
ground He spreads abroad the report
that he married Molly this morning. We
must publicly and openly deny the fact.
Captain, there will~be a large company
at the assembly this evening You will
take Molly there. / will go with you
Jack shall put on his Sunday best and
shall also go with us. We must be pre-
pared for all impudent claim. and we
must be ready with a prompt denial. Let
us court publicity
This was clearly the best advice posi-
bic. We were left unmolested all the aft
ernoon. though the captain made me stay
as kind of garrison in case any attempt
at abduction being made.
In the evening Molly In her chair and
dressed in her finery was carried to the
gardens. while The captain. the vicar. and
myself formed i bodyguard.
We arrived after the dancing had begun.
Lady Anastasia was looking on, but her
court of ladies' and young men for some
reason seemed to have melted away. She
stood almost alone. save for the support
of the old beau Sir Harry. The colonel
was also with her. and the Rev. Benjamin
Purden stood behind her.
The music was in the gallery at the end
of the long room. The dancing was car
ried on in the middle. Lady Anastasia
was standing on the right of the gallery,
most of the company on the left. Molly,
with the captain, and followed by the
vicar and myself, turned to the left
On her entrance all eyes were fixed
upon the newly made countess. She had
come without her lord! Was this part of
the secret-a secret known to all the world
or was his lordship, before the whole COM
pany. about to lead his bride to the first
place, as became her newly acquired rank?
Some of the ladies regarded her with looks
of hatred, the successors of the looks of
scorn with which they had first welcomed
her. Most of them, however, We're kindly.
A tale of love always meets with a friend
ly reception. Not woman in the place
but would have taken her place with joy
unmeasured As no other woman could
they were ready to accept their fate and
to make friends with the successful and
the fortunate winner of so great a prize
1t was great prize, indeed, If they only
knew.
The minutes were over, and the country
dance was about to begin, when Lord F'y-
lingdale arrived. followed as usual by his
secretary: He stood at the door: he look
ed around: Then. with the cold pride which
never failed him, he stepped across the
room and bowed low to Molly. Madam
he said. with youc permission. we will
dance this country dance together before
1 take you away with me-"
My lord" replied Molly aloud. so that
the whole company heard and trembed
II shall not dance with you this evening
nor on any other evening"
ha will
my lord Nor will she hold any discourse
with you. Nor VIII she willingly admit
you to her presence" 1t was the vicar
who spoke, because the man and the &C.
casion proved too much for the good old
captain, who could only roll thunderously
between his teeth things more fitted for
the queiling of a mutiny than for dealing
with such a man as his lordship.
Pray, sir said Lord FylingdaIe. step
ping back. what is the meaning of this?
Pray, madam he turned to Molly
what is the meaning Of this sudden
change? Captain Crowle. have | or have
/ not the right to claim my wife?"
The vicar stepped forward and con-
fronted him. His tall, thin figure. his long
trasted with the overhaughtiness of his
adversary.
My lord he asked, how long has this
'a I'VE 9eH were sGqr "i married. he said
'.at o'clock this morning by
the Rev. Mr.. Benjamin Pur-
den, who is here to bear witness to
the fact The wedding was private at my
request, because, as you may perhaps be-
lieve. / was not anxious to join in the
wedding feast with a company of Doors,
pumpkins, and sailors"
Ladies and gentlemen'-the vicar rails
ed his voice and by a gesture silenced the
orchestra-'I have to lay before you
conspiracy which | believe is unparalleled
ed ip any history. You are aware that
Lord Fylingdale, who stands before you,
came to the spa a few weeks ago for pur-
poses best known to himself. You will
also doubtless remember that certain per
sons who arrived before him were loud in
his praises. He was said by them to be
model of all the virtues. l will not re-
peat the things that were said
IAN this" said lord Fylingdale. lis be-
side the mark | come to claim my Wife
Among those VINO accepted these state
ments for gospel was Captain Crowle, the
guardian of the young lady beside me 1t
was TO him a great honor to be admitted
to converse with so distinguished a noble
man and to be permitted to consult with
him as to the affairs of his ward. He
| even informed his lordship of the extent
of the Iady's fortune, which is far greater
than was generally understood. There
| upon his lordship began to pay attention
of a marked character. You have all. |
believe. remarked these attentions. Then
came the attempted abduction and the la
| dy's rescue by Lord F'ylingdale. After
this he formally offered his hand and his
rank to the lady. The honor seemed very
ed the lady to undertake a private mar
rage without festivities. to which she
consented. She promised. in fact. to be
married at St Nicholas Church this very
| morning ut o'clock"
"AI this" said Lord Fylingdale. coldly,
lis quite true, yet why you detain the
company to the narrative l do not under
stand. The lady kept her promise | met
her at the place and time appointed. We
| Were married. Once more, Captain Crow
lie, / claim my wife"
Ladies and gentlemen" the vicar con-
tinued. there is but one reply to the last
statement, Tor the lady did not keep her
engagement"
''Sir'-his lordship advanced a step
ARE you aware of the meaning of the
words? Do you assert that / was not
married at that time and in that placer
The Rev. Benjamin Purden advanced
Sir he addressed the vicar. like his
lordship. | am amazed az these words
Why. sir, | myself myself al o'clock
this morning performed the marriage ser
vice prescribed by the church for the
right honorable the Earl of Fylingdale
and Miss Mary Miller"
ITO be continued