Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1905-08-03

vanity offset the shock. His wife had
several times averred that he looked. Y
like an earl, and now here was living
proof that she was right. He put up
his eyeglass and gave the young wo-
man critical glance and indicated
by cold bow that she might proceed.
She had story to tell. She was an
English governess who had passed the
last three years in Partisan family.
AS she had great property eXpecta-
tons the family wanted her to marry
one of the sons. Because she would
not-because she had said that AZ an
English girl she would not marry an
enemy of her countryside had been
charged with purloining certain articles
of iewelry and driven from the house.
The incensed family might even seek
her arrest. u
1t was pathetic story, with many
embellishments, and Mr.. Hopes heart
was touched-his British heart 1t
wasn't touched because the young wo-
man was good looking. but because
she had continually addressed him as
MY lord" and had appealed to him as
the British lion itself. She wanted his
protection while landing That French
family might have set the minions of
law at work and she might be arrested
and hailed back to Paris and thrust
into dungeon for years without trial.
Under the protection of "My lord"
what officer of the law would dare look
twice at her? If they looked many
times it would mean war between the
two countries.
Thomas Hope listened, was fattered,
and his iron bound dignity became as
putty. For the first time in twenty
years he had some human feeling about
him. He came out of his shell and dis
covered that there were joints in his
backbone Had that young woman
made the mistake of appealing to him
as "Mr." or even as "Viscount" her
petition would have been ignored, but
that little trick of "My lord" worked
like a miracle She should land under
his protection, and if interfered with
grim war and all its horrors would
burst on the country within two hours
Thanking him over and over again and
with tears in her eyes as she repeated
her thanks, the young woman returned
to her stateroom and made some tri-
fling changes in her attire Shortly aft
erward the boat reached it's dock on
the English side of the channel.
Mr.. Hope was ready to rise to the
occasion, and the girl walked ashore
| leaning on his arm. He had a cane in
NE other hand, his monocle in his eye,
| and he walked erect. He was the Brit
ish empire!
While the baggage was being inspect
| ed there was a delay-that is, others
were delayed. AS for Mr.. Hope and
| the young woman hanging on his arm,
| they walked up to customs inspector.
A card was produced and thrust into
his hand, along with Bank of Eng
land note, and there was no inspection
of the woman's four trunks. 1t meyer
occurred to "My lord" that girl flying
from enemies would hardly have four
great trunks along with her. He saw
them loaded into a van which was sus-
piciously convenient and was about to
hand his protegee into cab and re-
sumo his interrupted dignity when they
were approached by a common looking
| British subject with what looked like
warrant in his hand.
Excuse me, please he had begun
when Mr. Hope interrupted him with:
"Sir, are you addressing me?"
"Y-yes, sir. l have here warrant
| for the arrest Of
ga warrant. sir?"
EYES, sir. A warrant for
what have / to do with you and
your warrants, sir7" Numbered Mr..
Hope.
But r.
THAT is enough, sir! There is my
card. I will communicate with the
government at once regarding this out
rage. | will see whether British citi-
zens must submit to such humiliation
while travelling about in a peaceful
manner" ID
"But may I ask, sir persisted the
officer as be nodded his head toward
the young woman.
You may, sir" replied Mr.. Hope,
rising to the occasion. "This young
lady is my daughter, sir!'
'Then l beg thousand pardons- "a
thousand pardons, sir" said the absvh-
ed officer.
The cab drove off. Mr.. Hope raised
his hat i'll answer to the smile and the
God bless you," and he never, never
again saw the distressed English gov
erness who had been obliged to flee
from the enemies of her country. He
resumed his dignity and boarded a
train for home, and to make up for
having temporarily thawed out he
greeted Mrs. Hope with a grult as he
arrived
Three days later a man who would
not be denied had an interview with
him in his private sanctum at the
bank. The great Mr.. Hope met him
with glare and a frown and began to
read him lesson on his impudence in
interrupting business men when they