Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-01-27


put an end TO their intended victim be-
fore the Sunday. So, aching with an
insane but not unnatural impulse to
pull rein and confess all; burning with I
shame to remember twas of Lady
Diana's sweetheart she was thinking:
mortified beyond belief every time her I
saddle grazed her brooches: intent lest
an unsupported sword should fash
from the hedgerows, the sheepcots
which they traversed ON their way, my
Lady Peggy, wishing amidst all this I
that she had never come to town, yet
contrived to display Il very cheerful
micn, TO laugh us loud as she dared,'i
keeping her high notes cautiously to
herself, as she had in her speech ever
since the night, as Sir Robin, She had
made her first appearance in Lark lane |
Ito join in jest, quip, prank, such us
gay cavalcade of jovial gentlemen were
then wont to indulge In.
Such We're some of the strange vicis-
STUDIES incident TO being that most
amazingly delicious compound, will
III anu Nitiiui tCti Nolluh.
AS Mr.. Brummel had planned, they
halted for refreshment at the Merry
Rabbit at Market Ossory and left, after
a game of bowls on the green, to pur-
sue their way Percy fingered a bit in
the rear. Truth 10 tell, his reflections
We're none of the gayest, and the pres
ence of the supposed Sir Robin Mc1art
and the conclusion. which, together
with Ken, he had been forced TO reach,
that Lady Peggy had run off with the
baronet did not by any means consplre
TO the tightening of his spirits. AS he
watched his presumed rival, heard the
ringing laugh, the brilliant jest, noted
the careless air and thought of this
cavalier as Lady Peggy's lord his
choler knew no bounds. and it appeared
to him that, come what might, lie must
invent cause of quarrel and one or the
other of 'em be left cold on the field.
"Why," thousand times he asked
himself, this mystery regarding her
marriage? Why not have welded Sir
Robin from her fathers home and with
her fathers blessing, since" Sir Percy
reluctantly admitted, mo fault could
be found with so fine Il young gentle
man. and his fortune he knew TO be
considerable"
He was aware that her ladyship was
romantic to degree. and he could but
decide that this predilcction had caused
her TO clopc and 10 preserve the matter
in II wrapping of secrecy for Il time;
no doubt even now from her retire
ment looking forward TO the hour when
she should emerge as Lady Mozart!
Sir Percy grated his teeth together
and struck his spurs so deep that his
horse gave plunge which brought him
up neck and neck with the gray Of the
supposed baronet aud the black of Mr..
Chalmers.
"To the rescue. Sir Percy!" cried this
one jocularly Your assistance beg.
and the loan of your wits in our argu-
ment."
with all my hearty answers Percy,
seeming possible chance 10 worst his
rival even in a battle of words. Whats
the subject?'
"A truce to IT," eXclaims the Beau,
with an expressive shake of his head
at Mr. Chalmers, who. however, seldom
notes any obstacle to the pleasure Of
his present moment.
mo truce at all, Mr.. Brummcl," an
swers he gayly. "'Tis"-
"'Tis nothing whatever, Sir Percy"
a"rupts Lord Escombe, putting his
liners rein, and adding i'll
looks. man, hold
b tow and
finder betM .Tartw
Pom my solii, 8, q. now cries
Percy, 81 insist upon Jacks being s'1 :,
lowed to proceed with his remarks. If
he wants my counsels, they're his.
Come. sir speak,
"'Tis but this" says Mr.. Chalmers.
81 say to Sir Robin that since the
worlds busy with rumors of his secret
marriage TO Lady Peggy Burgoyne,
since as learn by my man, WHO had
it at the gate of the very best author
ity-gad, sirs, It's a fact, even if w@
don't relish it, the sist of our gossip
comes from below stairs, up-tllat
Lady Peggy is from home, her father
believing her in Kent at her godlnoth-
ers"-Mr. Chalmers smiles -"her moth
err being in York, believing her safe at
Kennaston. | say, my lords and gentle
men, it behooves Sir Robin confide the
matter to his best friends and give
them chances to congratulate him and
the lady. Have, the right oft, Percy
yes or no?'
Percy is silent for moment 1t seems
to him Dissertation of the sweet, mod
est and womanly girl lie has so long
adored thus 10 hear even her name,
much less discussion of her most pri-
vate matters, made into mirthful sub
ject on a mornings ride.
His anger, too. is great that the man
whose name is coupled with hers las
not already put a stop TO such con-
yersation, even were it at the point of
the sword. i
Shall he here and now SO reply to Mr..
Chalmers as shall breed an instant re-
tort from Sir Robin and challenge on
the spot? The wild thought even flashes
through his brain that Sir Robin might
be left dead on the ground and that
some time in the dim future lie might
win Peggy back TO himself
But, with n tightening rein, he checks
himself as well as his horse as lie an
swers:
''Mr Chalmers the lady you name is
one whom l honor most deeply, and it
seems to me if she has seen fit 10 go
into seclusion or to marry secretly that,
while | may wish it had been in open
church, l must continue TO respect her
preferences until she elects 10 change
them," with which, breaking the little
pause of silence which follows. Sir