The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-05-23

CHAPTER I.
"of course, my dear George, IL you
wish very much to have these people
here, they must be asked" said Lady
Caroline. regarding her husband at
tentively through the handle of the
tea-urn. The children had just left
tie room, so she thought it good OPP
NFtunity of finally learning his wishes
on this subject without the interview
'ti9n of Mildred's rather vehement
opinions. ''It is a dreadful nuisance"
she said-"and don't suppose they are
tho very incest people in the world
forS the girls to know; but, If you see
no way out of the difficulty. of course
there is nothing more to be said"
Nothing; it cannot be helped now
at all events" Sir George returned,
running his eyes ruefully over let
ter which he held in his hand. HE
was an old schoolfellow of mine. you
know; and, when he expresses wish
to come and see me, what can do
(but write and say how welcome he
Pnd his family will be?"
Exactly So" assented Lady Caro-
ne, "but it is horrible bore for all
at. And how they are to be amused
more than / can tell you. There is
son, is there not. and daughter?"
Yes, son and daughter. AS to
husing them, the young gentleman
will hunt, suppose, and probably
ruin one Of my best hunters before he
leaves; and the girl-oh, should think
she will do very WE'LL" said Sir George,
cavalierly. Mildred will manage
about that. and will get some fellows
to meet her."
How did he make his money!"
Lady Caroline asked presently, and
then began to think with dismay of
what the whole countryside would say.
1t was eninently aristocratic, the coun-
tryside, and never had it as yet intro
.duced within the sacred boundaries of
its circle such a horror as family
polluted by trade.
Cotton" answered Sir George brief
1y; and then indeed his wife felt that
the cup of her affection was full.
IF it only had been wine," she said,
.hopelessly. 81 am sure don't know
what the Deverills will think; and of
course the girl will be unbearable. Be-
sides"-with a sight will be such
an additional expense"
True" returned her husband, and
the lines laid by care upon his face be-
4came more clearly defined; "but, as 1
raid before, darling, it can not be
helped, SO we must only make the best
1fsiitt .
But Lady Caroline could not make
the best of it" just then, and so went
put of the room to consult with Mildred.
Fof whose sympathy she was certain,
the girl being more opposed to the
coming of their visitors than even she
could be.
Seven children had blessed the mar
riage Of Sir George Trevanion and
Lady Caroline. First, there was
Charles. the heir, great, tall, good
looking fellow, with careless, sweet
temper-"as like his father at that
age" said his mother, "as ever a boy
could be-" He was about twenty-six at
this time, and held commission in a
cavalry regiment After him came
Florence, who resembled nobody in
particular, and had married during her
first season-very desirably indeed-a
MIR. Talbot, of very progressing APP
pearance-when he had any express
sion in his face, which was seldom-and
the owner Of considerable property
about twelve miles from Kings Alb
bolt.
1t was always great source of COM
fort to Lady Caroline's anxious mind
that Florence had "got off" so we'll
before Mildred was old enough to
make her bow to the world. Had
Harry Talbot dallied in his love-mak-
Ing for two years longer-as some
young men are in the habit of daily
ing-instead Of coming to the point
at once-like much-to-b e-applauded
gentleman, as he was-Lady Caroline
would not have answered for the con-
sequences. Mildred, her fathers darl-
Ing, was so much more beautiful-such
q slight, exquisite girl she appeared,
with. the darkest violet eyes and the
most enviable golden hair imaginable.
And yet, in spite Of all her beauty,
she had not half the number of lovers
her sister Mabel could cou.t, who was
barely eighteen, and not nearly so
handsome, Mildred being cold and
proud, and almost naughty in her man
her to strangers. Pride of birth was
the rock on which she stumbled. Any
family without pedigree, no matter
-howarich and how well received by
society in general, was as an abomina-
ton in her sight
In between these two came Eddie,
who was about nineteen at this time,
. merry, reckless fellow, handsome as
an Apollo, and the acknowledged pet
amongst all the women in the county,
far and near, old and young.
Eddie and Mabel were something like
each other, both being much darker
than the rest of the family, who were
rather Saxon in their general appear
ance. Mabel, or Queen Mab," or '..the
queen" as she was Unfortunately
called, on account Of little stately
walk she had that contrasted funnily
with her face and manner, which were
gay in the extreme, had dark eyes Of
q soft hazel, and hair nut-brown to
match. She was quite as tall as her
sister, and, though by no means as
beautiful, was pretty enough to create
g sensation anywhere. At eighteen she