The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1903-08-08
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The party at Endon Vale was breaking
up. Lady Marion Alton on being IN
formed OF her niece's engagement had
come to Endon Vale aud carried her ON
20 London, and thence to pay visit 70
Berkshire. Francis Clayton had left the
day before for London. Miss Champion
had stayed on. In the hope of winning
back Lord Harold to his allegiance; but
now that she found each day attracting
him more and more to her cousin, she
could endure it no longer. The visit to
Lady Grace, from which she had antlci-
pated such great results, had been
fraught with the most bitter mortihca-
tion.
That same evening while Lady Grace
was in her own little sanctum reading,
Winifred knocked at her door and, in an
swer to her "come in" the girl went III
and shut the door.
Lady Grace looked up and smiled
kindly, and then she looked again. Wini-
fred did not seem bright and beaming
as was her wont-she was nervous, and
there were tear stains on her face.
what is it, my love? You have been
crying!' There was such tender solicit
tude in the tone that it was too much for
the girls overstrung nerves. and the tears
came thick and fast. F ri.
20 Lady Grace, am so grieved"
"Grieved, my child? You have not had
bad news from home? r.
"Oh, no not that: but am so afraid
you will be angry with me and never for
give me. 1t is about Lord Harold Els
kline" Winifred said, nervously, and
sudden chill came into the heart of the
elder lady, for she was very fond of her
nephew.
"About Harold, my dearV'
"Lord Harold asked--asked me to mar
ry him this morning; and, oh, Lady
Grace, am so sorry!'
"Sorry that he asked you to marry
him." sin
"Because-indeed, Lady Grace, never
dreamt of such a thing-l thought hls
position made him so far beyond me.
thought he was kind to me, just from
Observation-Disclosures like you, that
might not feel strange at coming int
society l was not used to-"
"Then you do not love him?"
81 do like him very much-f could no
help it, he is so good-but, oh, dear Lad!
Grace, could not marry him." and tn
tears rained down.
"Then you have refused hllA6
81 told him the TRUTH could not de
ceive him."
And then all of a sudden it flashed OF
Lady Grace Farquhar's mind that ther
was something noble and high-minded Il
this girls refusing such a position an
such wealth because she did not love tn
man. A more worldly minded woma
would have held such romantic folly i
contempt, and thought the girl foe
for her pains; but not so Lady Grace
Still there was d momentary struggle
her heart before she rose from her sea
and kissed Winifred.
"My love-" she said sweetly, Il thin
you have done quite right, if you feel SUI
in your own mind that you cannot Low
him. But are you quite sure? Harold
kind and good; he is handsome, and
rich-ought you not to weigh everythin
in your mind thoroughly before you d
cide?"
II like him, respect him, but do n
love him-I cannot marry him" conclu
ed Winifred, piteously.
Every we'll, my dear. I will say
more. am sorry, for my boys sake, al
should have been we'll content to ha'
you for a niece"
And then the kind-hearted woman to-
the sohbing girl in her arms and VIII
fred laid her head ON the kind brea'
and cried to her hearts content. The
was a good deal more talk before the t,
parted, and it was settled that Winifr
should 60 home the next day but oil
and stay there a few weeks; and tn
she should pay Endon Vale another Wis
when Lord Harold should have left. Il
Lord Harold left that very day, after s.
ing and confding in his aunt. His pa
lng words were:
'Aunt do you think there is any he
that she will ever come to care for me
Lady Grace kissed his forehead a
Stroked his head very tenderly.
81 cannot tell, my boy, but am afr
not"