The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-10-10

cause she learned last night, just in
time, certain facts in the private life
of the bridegroom
"What?' Lord Fylingdale betrayed
his terror. "She has heard? What has
she heard?'
He had not received A1olly's letter
nor had he opened the captains.
More than enough. You have lost
your bride and her fortune. I might
have warned you, but I preferred to
take her place."
"What has she heard?"
apparently all that there is to be
heard. Not, of course, all that could
be told if Mr.. Purden and I were to
speak. Merely things of public noto-
riety. That you are a gambler and q
rake; that you have ruined many; that
you are ruined yourself-quite enough
for girl of her class to learn. In our
rank we want much more before we
turn our back upon a man. I myself
know much more. Yet I have married
you"
"She has heard" Lord Fylingdale re-
peated.
Dear, dearv' said the parson. "All
this is most unfortunate-most unfor-
tunate. Your lordship had already lost
your bride-lost her." he repeated.
"Lost. her and her fortune. Is there no
way out?"
"Who brought these reports? Show
me the manw
'Ta-ta-ta! You need not buster, Lu-
dovic. Reports of this kind are in the
air; they cling to your name; they
travel with you. What? The notori-
GUS Lord Fylingdale? They have come
you see, at last, even to this unfashion-
able corner of the island. They are
here, although we have done so much
to declare your virtues. Acknowledge
that you have been fortunate so far"
Are these reports your doing, mad
am? Is this a part Of your Internal
jealousy"
II do not know who put them about
1t is not likely that should start such
reports, especially after the scandal at
Bath. am, in fact, like his reverence
here, too much involved myself. Oh,
we have beautiful characters-all three
of u.s."
"Who told Molly?"
II say that I know nothing She has
been warned. That is all I can tell
you, and she has been advised to take
no further steps until full explanations
have been made in answer to these ru-
mOrs."
Gull explanations,'' repeated Mr..
Purden. Dear, dear! Most unfortu-
nate-most unfortunate''
"Your lordship can refer to his rev.
erence here, or to the admirable Sem
pie, or to the immaculate Sir Harry, or
to the colonel, that man of nice and
we'll known honor, for your character.
But who will give them a chara cter?
Understand" she said, facing him,
"you had lost your bride before you got
out of bed this morning. Your only
chance is to initiate the example of
Tom Rising and to carry her off, and
she will then stick a knife between
your ribs, as she intended to do to that
worthy gentleman. But, no; forgot
You cannot do that. You are already
married"
Hisreverence again interposed. with
submission, my lord, some explana-
lions will be asked. 1t will not GER
tainly be convenient to offer any. There
is, however, one way, and only one
that l can suggest" He looked at
the Lady Anastasia. 1T will be per-
haps at first distasteful to her lady
ship. 1t has, however, the very great
advantage of securing the fortune,
which, take it, is what your lordship
chiefly desires. AS regards the girl,
she is, IN point Of manners and appear
ance, so far beneath your lordship's no.
tice that we need not consider her in
the natter
II care nothing about the girl. But
hang me if I understand one single syl-
liable Of what you mean-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 Of the bride, and she was
married as 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 all over. the place. We have
the evidence, therefore, of the bride
groom, the parson, the clerk, the Ii
cense and the registers. Who is to
prove that the real Molly was at home
all the time? Captain Crowle, perhaps,
though l doubt. The girl herself But
who will believe her? Ny lord, you