Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-02-03
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
Lady Clancarden had not been mis-
taken. She and Anne and Sir James
were all asked to Cleveland square.
When Lady Mary found that the actor
whom she and Savernake had engaged
was but too ready to play his part OF
lover-that he would see the betrothed
maiden in spite of her, if not with
Aer CONFERENCE.-The decided to make
the best of matters as they stood.
Besides, the more she saw of the
/ young man, the more did she feel in
| clined to trust him, unprompted, in the
role he had assumed. After that first
evening with Anne, when apparently
all had passed off smoothly, the worst
was over; and Lady Mary, following
Savernakes advice and example, pluck
ed up courage and confidence.
The two old allies laid their heads
together (metaphorically speaking on
liy), and planned out course of ac-
zion.
The Duke of Leicesters mysterious
disappearance, supposed death, and
dramatic return to the stage of life,
was naturally the sensation of the mo-
ment. All society talked of it. The
papers gave it columns, and during the
familyis short stay in Cleveland square
the house was besieged by would-be in
reviewers.
The thing to do, it seemed to Sa-
vernake, and therefore to Lady Mary,
was to win the worlds confidence by
showing bold front before it-"tak-
ing the bull by the horns" so to
speak.
1t was the first of August when the
inquest had been interrupted by the
/ return of the dead; Goodwood was
over and everybody was leaving town.
In less than three months the wedding
was to be, and though Anne wished to
fly to Kildaragh, and spend the re-
manning weeks at home, there was no
reason why the prospective bridegroom
should not be gay. %,
\ Gaiety, therefore, was the rro-
Gamme. Society wanted the Duke of
picester, and he was bestowed by his
n;}y u2Qas-s Society Not that he was
go about alone-quite at
the conclusion Of the ad-
hest, which ended after all
In nothing, they went to Cowes; and
Lady Mary or Savernake was ever at
his shoulder. They went to the old
shooting box in Scotland, and it was
the same-more SO than ever if posi-
BILE, for in Lady Mary's suspicious
mind danger lurked on every bit of
moorland, behind every heather-cov-
cred hillock, or clump of yellow gorse.
But nothing happened. The Duke of
Leicester was far more of a social sue
cess than he had ever been. He was
Gas he himself remarked, in the bosom
of his adopted family like a certain
patent medicine. No household SEEM
ed complete without him. Everywhere
he was in request.
He made mistakes, of course, and
forgot people he ought to have known
(when Savernake was not by to coach
him), and said and did the wrong
thing in the wrong place, not seldom.
But, luckily. "Americanese" was COM
ing into fashion with the set in which
he moved; people only laughed at his
sallies, and certain dashing origi-
nality of manner, and a ready tact
which a life of adventure had given
him, supplied deficiencies and bridged
over bad moments.
Anne was getting ready for the great
est event of her young life, saying
goodbye to her beloved people, for
whom she meant to do so much when
she was a rich woman and a duchess
Though she no longer felt that she was
sacrificing herhelf for them), and writ
ing letters twice a week to her lover
Her happiness was a constant source
Of wonder to her. How could she ever
have thought with actual repulsion of
giving herhelf to Maurice? How could
she have been foolish enough to believe
him weak of purpose, vacillating. his
virtues all negative?
Since the night when he had kissed
~