Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-30

name. e''S pie''"eN
fes, ! must leave you, Agnes he contin
peu' am no mt husband for you. IL is not
only tnat you are a great lady, and I am
poor man. Were but the son Of a farmer on
your iathers estate ] could look you honestly
IN the lace and ask you TO be nv wife But
being what / am, could not drag you down
must go now
Eyes, think it is time that Mr.. Arthur Holms
went" said a stern, cold voice behind them.
They sprang apart and turning reund, con.
fronted the Earl Of Heatherstone. His heavy,
handsome face was flushed with anger, but he
controlled himself with the skill of the trained
diplomat Lady Agnes hid her crimson face
in her hands. Arthur Home clenched his right
fist.
"Mr. Arthur Helme is going, Lord Heather
stone" he said 'How long have you been hereT
He snapped the last half dozen words out
30 savagely that Lord Heatherstone shrsnk back
a pace But he recovered his composure In
moment.
Agnes" he said quietly, "go up to your bed.
room at once. Mr.. Holme, l will have a word
with you before you CO."
Lady Agnes went up to her infuriated father
and kissed him meekly on the cheek. Good
night she said in low voice. He did not
answer, but turned his back on her. She held
OuJ HeT manu- ClIn1Qy 70 ATJnuI IlOlI1t.
"Good-by," she said in whisper.
Holme looked at her father, and the devil rose
in his heart. He stepped forward to clasp her
in his arms and kiss her passionately on the
lips But his finer nature prevailed. He stopped
suddenly and held out his hand. .
"Goodby," he said hoarsely, f'and God bless
you"
She took his hand, looked for moment in
his eyes, and fled. He turned to the great Earl
Of Heatherstone.
"Well, my lord" he said sharply what have
you to say for YOURSELF" II was characteristic
of the man that he assumed the attitude Of
judge at a time when his proper place was in the
dock.
"It is for you to speak, Mr.. Holme," Lord
Heatherstone replied; "but let us return to the
smoking room. It is cold in here"
The two men went back to the smoking room.
Lord Heatherstone flung himself in an easy chair
by the fire, Holme remained standing. For 4
while neither of them spoke.
"Well, sir" said Lord Heatherstone, after
pause.
Gas you have been listening my lord, I think
you know everything 1t is possibly clear TO
you that / love your daughter. 1t is equally
clear. i you heard rightly, that I shall not see
her again"
''You scoundrel!" cried Lord Heatherstone.
rising to his feet, "what right have you to speak
Of love to my daughter? Who are you, you
found you? Do yeu think that because we-p
"That'll do, Lord Heatherstone," the young
man replied; II know my place quite we'll And
it is because know it that have resolved never
TO enter this house again. ! will wish you good
bye my lord
Stay, Mr.. Holme; you cannot go yet. How
long has this been going on?"
1t commenced five minutes before you came
into the room. 1t ended when your daughter
left it. But l shall answer no more questions
wish you goodnight" and he turned to 60
Lord Heatherstone laughed
when 1 was your age" he said in an in
solent tone, "I had more pluck. / would not
have broken the heart of the woman loved for
all the social distinctions in the world Bah
| thought there was more fight in you. | do
not think Agnes has lost much"
Arthur Holme turned sharply round, and his
face paled for all the bronze that the sea and
winds had given it.
There's plenty Of fight in me, Lord Heather
stone" he replied in strained voice "And If
you rouse it, you will bring the devil into your
household / am man enough to retire with
out wrecking your home, Even if thought that
your own case had made you lenient to us both
even if thought that your second marriage with
woman whom you dragged up from ebseurity
had made you less punctlious about the ALI
ances of your house, ! would not offer myself
as suitor for your daughters hand"
Lord Heatherstone sank into chair and buried
his face in his hands, Arthur Holme had struck
hard and struck deep 1t was but a menth
since Lord Overclffe had died.
Holme was disgusted with the brutality Of his
own words. He stepped over to Lord Heather
stone and laid one hand on his shoulder.
II am sorry, Lord Heatherstone" he said
quietly; 81 did not mean to hurt you You
would forgive me much il you knew what this
brief glimpse of love has been to me. Good
night and-goedby."