Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1902-03-01
CHATTER IN.

There came morning which Irene
never forgot-a balmy, lovely morning
In September; the sky was as blue ~
that OF Italy, and the green earth smiled
In the suns warm rays. The beautiful
morning air checrcd her, and she hoped
In her heart that Sir Hubert would come
home on that day. The newspaper lay on
the table; II was one that she had chosen
herself, because II contained more news
OF the upper ten thousand than any 9th.
err. Carclcssly, and without a thought
Of what lay before her. she opened it.
She read how the Duke OF Sommcrst0n
had gone to the moOrs; how Lord aud
Lady Hegis were ut Cannes. how the
Warehouses Of Brent had gone to Italy,
Suddenly her fair young face grew color
less, the very sight seemed to die from
her eyes, for she read this:
Approaching Marriage In High Life.
We learn that active preparations are
now being made for the marriage Of the
Lady Lira Gcrant. The noble bridegroom,
Dir Hubert Estmere, has Entrusted to
Messrs. Henden X Son the task OF redcc.
Grating bis magnificent mansion, the
Mere. 1t Is expected that the marriage
will take place In February"
She read and re.read: she read with
laughter and with tears. What nonsense
what utterly cruel nonsense. How
could 1t be. when she was already his
wifeY 1t must be- stopped. though, this
cruel report. which was 50 doubly cruel
70 her. his wife.
When she had heard It In the theater
she had thought OF 1t merely as gossip
and baseless rum0r.
This was different; this paragraph in
a fashionable paper, who had inserted
that paragraph, and how had they dared
10 shy so much that was not true? What
would Sir Hubert say? What would
Lady Lira sayy She had heard before
how careless those journals were. but
surely this was something more than
carelessness: It was falsely. wickedly uu-
true.
She resolved the moment Sir Hubert
came to show II to him; all would be
well then. She heard the sound Of his
horses gall0p. and stood In the mark
awaiting him: the eyes that met his had
not the usual sweet lOve-lisht In them. the
exquisite face had no light OF welcome.
"Iiulbert. ! want to speak to you."
she said, "at once. | have something
most particular to tell you"
@so "ubhcu ~ ucT cukeTuesS, Dut the
laugh died from his lips when he saw
the monrnfnl expression on her face.
why. Irene. even your voice has lost
Its sweetness!" he cried. what is IL.
my dcarestY'
Not one feature OF her face relaxed,
"FOllow me-" she said, and she led the
way into the pretty morning room, where
the bright sun shone on the roses and
the white lace.
An open newspaper lay on the table.
Drawing herself to hcr full height, with
the tragedy and dignity Of a queen, she
said, pointing to It:
II have kept that for two days waiting
there for YOU to SEQ It,"
"A newspaper" he cried. In tones OF
great relief, "a paper! Why, Irene, !
thought at least You had shot burglar,
and had dead body to show me. What
Is there In the paper worth all this ira.
gedy?"
She laid It before him, and pointed out
the paragraph. He bent his dark. hand
some head over It, and read, half with
smile, half with a sneer.
Approaching Marriage In High Life.
All. this Is the cause Of the tragedy, IL 1t,
Irene"
"Read," she said, briefly.
And he read through. Then for some
few minutes they stood IL silence, look.
Ing at each other.