Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-01-03
CHAPTER XXI.

gentleman is Randolph. Lord RIVERS
Of Ryverswell, Of Mount Avon IN
Hampshire, of Avon villa in the Isle
Wight. of Glenfair in Scotland. and
Avon House, Mayfair. You see,
knew his titles and possessions by
heart. His father has been dead
many years, and he has succeeded to
"A vast fortune, and savings of long
minority. His mother. Lady RIVERS,
is-weii | should certainly say one OF
the proudest women in England. lie
has two sisters; one lives with Lady
RIVERS, the other a great leader OF
fashion-the Countess Of Lester.
Ysu see. that | cannot b. mistaken in
his identity"
Still Oscar Carstone looked at him
with vague, wondering eyes.
And know him as Mr.. Randolph
a clever but by no means wellknown
artist He has been staying with
Mrs. Randolph at the English hotel
for some weeks. There must be some
mistake. His wife told my mother
some few days since that he was In
some trouble concerning money.
Here Hubert Forest-Hay laughed
alsud.
Money troubles, Why, Lord RIVERS
is enc Of the richest men In England.
II he has any trouble with regard to
money, II In that he has so much. he
does not know what to do with II"
Are you quite sure that is Lord
Ryvers" asked Oscar.
II am as sure OF his indemnity as
am Of my own" replied Hubert Forest
Hay
who is the LADY," Oscar Carstone
asked, suddenly. III you know Lord
RIVERS so well. you must know his
wife"
But Hubert Forest Hay shook his
head gravely
IL assure you have never seen her
before; and. now that reflect. ] never
heard that Lord RIVERS was married
! remember hearing that he was
struck with the last new beauty,
Gwendolinc MARI. Lord Marr's daugh
ter"
WAS this lady Miss MARI" asked
Oscar.
No GeVendoline Mari Ia one of
the most beautiful women in London,
but brunette perfect brunette. |
met Lady RIVERS last week. was
with her for half an hour-and she
said nothing about her son being
married-uot one word and | think,
knowing that ne was an old chum OF
mine. she would have told me-
Again the two men looked blankly
at each other
IL am sorry | came" said Hubert
Forest-llay. slowly. Il am sorroy
have seen him. There is no mistake
about It. The man know to be Lord
RIVERS you know as Mr.. Randolph
There is no particular harm In any
gentleman laying aside his title if he
chooses" said Oscar.
No, there Is no harm in that" was
the answer-'none whatever"
Both young men were silent, their
eyes were fixed on the beautiful face
shining under the light of the great
chandelier.
rs II private marriage. should
you Think Oscar said. In a low voice,
only Heaven knows" replied his
companion; ~ cannot say IL is no
business of mine, wish | had not
come"
Oscar Carstonc bent down and
whispered few words in his ear,
Hubert ForestHay looked up with
Mortified face
Il am almost afraid you are right"
he said yet Randolph RIVERS was
me of the most honorable and loyal of
men. He could never have fallen SO
low"
Again Oscar Carstone whispered
TO his companion, who answered:
Il am afraid IL is so; it looks like
II. You say that he avoids all English
people2"
THAT he certainly does WAS the
answer. but, II il be as we surmise.
I am sure that girl has been foully,
cruelty deceived" HIS face flushed
and his eyes flashed fire DO YOU
know" he added. fiercely, 1T seems
Il strange thing TO say, but. Il Il be
true, and she is free. | would make
her my wife tomorrow You do not
understand that"
II do not understand what con
slider perfect madness" said Hubert
orestHay coldly
III ] thoueht 1t true nay suspicious
true" cried Oscar would shoot
him inst as | would shoot q dog"
My good friend, IL you were to
shoot every man who does o wrong OF
that kind. YOU would leave the world
half empty
But look at her She is lovely
and proud imperial and gracious.
Would any one dare wrong a woman
like that"
1T is quite possible that there may
nave been no wrong" said Huber,
Forest-Hay we have no right to
Judge by appearances although | con
fess that In this case the appearances
are black enough Had you no sus
picion that he was masquerading9 II
seems To me that any one pOil}i toll