The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1901-11-16


dear, we may perhaps find the woman.
My worthy and plous brother In orders
is most certainly in the conspiracy.
When there are three, one is generally
n traitor To begin with. the scheme is
both bold and dangerous. 1t is the
first step toward obtaining large sum
OF money under false pretenses. Their
necks are in danger. even the neck Of u
noble earl.
ut is inconceivable, lie went on aft
er little reflection, "how n woman
could be found 20 play such a part. She
must be the mistress Of the earl. No
other could be trusted"
''What should be done meantimeT
1--WE 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 large
company at the assembly this evening.
You will take Molly there. ! win so
with you. Jack shall put on his sun
day best and shall also 30 with Us. We
must be prepared for an impudent
claim, and we must be ready With a
prompt denial. Let MS court public
ity."
This was clearly the best advice pos
slble. We were left unmolested all
the afternoon. though the captain made
me stay as n kind Of garrison In case
OF 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 a bodyguard.
We arrived after the dancing had be-
gun Lady Anastasla was looking on,
butther court OF ladies and young men
for sclne reason seemed 10 have melt
ed awifg She stood almost alone, save
for the support Of the old beau Sir IIar.
~. Tho stlanel Nas also with her, and
thc Rev. Benjamin Purden stood be-
hind her,
The music was in the gallery at the
end OF the long room. The dancing was
carried on IN the middle Lady Anas-
tasia was standing on the right OF the
gallery, most OF the company on the
left Molly, with the captain and fol
lowed 10y 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, be-
fore the whole company. about TO lead
his bride 10 the first place, as became
her newly acquired rank? Some OF the
ladies regarded her with looks OF ha-
tired, the successors of the looks OF
scorn with which they had first wei
coined her. Most OF them. however.
were kindly. A tale OF love always
meets with a friendly reception. Not
woman i'm the place but would have
taken her place with JOY unmeasured.
As no other woman could. they were
ready 10 accept their fate and 10 make
friends with the successful aud the
fortunate winner OF so great n prize.
II was n great prize, indeed, II they
only knew.
The mlnuets were over and the coun-
try dance was about 10 begin when
Lord Fyllngdale arrived, followed, as
usual. by his secretary lie stood at
the door; he looked around. Then,
with the cold pride which never failed
him. he stepped across the room and
bowed low to Molly. Madam" be
said, "with your permission, we will
dance this country dance together be
fore take you away with me-"
MY lord" replied Molly aloud, SO
that the whole company heard an6
trembled, II shall not dance with you
this evening nor on any other even
Ing"
"She will never again dance with
you. my lord. Nor viii she hold any
discourse with you. Nor viii she will
ingly admit you TO her presence" II
was the vicar who spoke, because the
man and the occasion proved too much
for the good old captain, who could
only roll thunderously between his
teeth things more fitted for the queil-
ing OF mutiny than for dealing with
such man as his lordship.
"Pray. sir" said Lord Fylingdale.
stepping back, what Is the meaning
OF this? Pray, madam"-he turned TO
Molly-"what Is the meaning OF this
sudden changer Captain Crowlc, have
| or have not the right TO claim my
wife,
The vicar stepped forward and con
fronted him. His tall. thin figure, his
long cassock. his thin and ascetlc face
contrastcd with the overhaughtincss
OF his adversary.
"Aly lord" ne asked, "how long has
this lady been your wifeH
eve were marriedR he said, ''at q
o'c lbs morning By the Rev. Mr..
Benjamin Furdcn, who IA here 10 bear
witness to the fact The wedding was