Evening star., 1903-08-01


that there is to southdown. our South
down.
The Honorable Peggy never winked ''of
COURSE" she responded.
Aunt Carolina gasped. Il knew 1t all
along" said Peggy. Aunt Carolina gasped
again. I've always known it," went on
Peggy.
Aunt Carolina nearly tainted. MY dear.
bear it2'
The Honorable Peggy waved this sugges-
ton aside. And SO. Aunt Carolina she
said, lit is up to us to go.
Aunt Carolina was puzzled. ''Up-tO-us,
she repeated.
Exactly" responded Peggy, that's an
Americanism of Miss Witherspoon's."
Miss Witherspoon's," repeated Aunt
Carolina.
Il beg your pardon said Peggy, II
meant Mr.. William Halliburton. What l
meant was that we must get out.
She said it with such indifference of man.
ner that Aunt Carolina rose and struck her
small hands sharply together. "1-am-so--
glad, she gasped in JOY. that you take II
that way, Peggy"
I'VE shall move to London. my dear" ex-
planned her aunt. land Cousin William Hal
iburton will take lodgings with us. He Is
anxious that 1 should take him under my
wing-and. In short my dear. think that
we shall get along very WELL.
Lord Southdown was due on the first day
of July. He did not arrive Aunt Carolina
would not leave until she had in her old
fashioned way welcomed the new 1ncum-
bent. But as they were sure he would turn
up on the second, they took a sort Of for
NAL leave Of the old place on the evening
Of the first.
At dusk that evening. as Aunt Carolina
sat beneath the shelter Of the porch, Cousin
William Halliburton and the Hon. Peggy
strolled about the ground. Suddenly Hall
burton touched her on the arm.
Whittier does this lead7' he asked, point
ing to a path.
'It leads nowheren answered Pepgy
that is Lovers Lane"
Dear me- responded Halliburton. I'VE
must take farewell of this too He led
her gently down the path and then when
they had reached the end. without a word
of warning, he placed his arms about her.
She tried to step back. but he would not
let her.
Dear little girl" he whispered TN her
this Lovers Lane
The Hon. Peggy trembIed. but she did
not move. 't-believe-there-are."
she said. reluctantly. with downcast eyes.
Halliburton caught her wildly, joyfully and
kissed her.
AT last" he murmured lightly, Il am
in good society,"
1t was some time later that the Lovers
Lane crowd entered the presence of Aunt
Carolina Southdown. That genteel spinster
vas in a state of agitation. Dear me-"
she exclaimed Just look at this" She
thrust forward daily paper On its first
P'Sp titSc iiilcS Siet&cu tIciI Sl6Lls
MISSING.
Lord Southdown cannot be found Fails
to keep appointment with solicitors and
chambers found deserted. Alarm sent out"
Dear me- continued Aunt Carolina,
land tomorrow he was to be here and.
and now, perhaps, he may not come. Dear
me-"
The Honorable Peggy clapped her hands.
May he never come' she exclaimed Hall
burton shook his head. That's pretty
rough-on him." he suggested
And here" went on Aunt Carolina rs
special letter from his London solicitor,
in which he tells me that though Lord
Southdown lived abroad for the last three
years, he had returned to London some
time go. and had made positive engage
ment with the firm to come down with
them yesterday or the day before
He never appeared, and the found his
chambers completely deserted. The law
yer thinks that his client has been kid
naped. but Is coming down here himself,
to take possession in his clients name. I
expect him any moment. For all l know,
this NAV be he now
Aunt Carolina was right. The wheels had
no sooner come to a stop outside than
hurried ring was heard at the door, and a
little stout man hustled into the room. He
was the solicitor.
We'll ma am" he started In to say This
is dreadful Then of a sudden he
stopped short and stared at Halliburton.
Good Lord he exclaimed looking at
thdt gentleman through his SpeCtacleS,
what the deuce you doing down
here"
Halliburton smiled Who has a better
right?' he answered, holding tight to Hon
orable Peggy, than Lord Southdown on
ord Southdown's DOMAINE"
Aunt Carolina looked up in alarm. The
Honorable Peggy felt so faint that she
had to cling to the young man at her side.
Are you-are you" she gasped feebly,
"are you Lord SouthdOwn?"
Exactly" answered the young man
Why in heavens name didn't you keep
your engagement? Why did you disap
pearl" asked the lawyer.
Peggy started in some alarm. Dear me"
she exclaimed, doesn't he-doesn't he keep
his enga gements? Dear me, l.
Lord Southdown gently took her hand.
"ITaliburton." he explained to her, was
my mothers family name-it is the name
l used to hide my identity in a country
where titles are everything-if you have
the right kind of title. My title over
there was Halliburton of the Fourteenth
Ward" He drew himself up formally.
Mr. Bolton" he announced, ALLOW me to
present to YOU the future Lady South
down the future mistress of the estates"
The Honorable Peggy's eyes twinkled.
Lady Southdown.' she exclaimed.
Dear me-" she said to the young man at
her side. you are getting into good So
ciety."