The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1907-05-10

name was Alexander DIVES.
Lady Dives was leader of society
which means that she opened subscrip-
ton lists with crushing munificence.
and entertained on scale which
eclipsed even vice-royalty itself
Lady Dives had a daughter whom we
called the Divinity" She was
sweet girl, and had been brought up
strictly under her mothers eye, fact
which in itself was sufficient to guar
! antee her fit to become kings con
sort. But though she spoke five
European languages like native, and
could ride, dance, sing and play half a
dozen instruments better than most
professionals, she was not proud but
charming.
In order to facilitate his public du-
ties Sir John employed as private Sec
rotary most meritorious young man
who signed his letters Charles Gren-
vile Bassidge. This gentleman lived
at Dives Park, and was brought into
daily contact with his employers fam
lily. He was good-looking silent
young Englishman of mysterious an
tecedents, who declined to talk of his
past, and said he had come out to
make his fortune; but as this Is what
every newcomer says, nobody gave
him credit for originality. However,
he made very good amanuensis,
In spite of his exemplary behavior
her ladyship regarded him with suspi-
cious eyes She saw that the "Divin-
ity" favored him greatly, and 1t was
plain to all of us that he was more
than little in love with her.
Having grasped the enormity of
this, Lady Dives lectured her daugh-
ter severely, while Sir John conveyed
delicate hint to his private secre-
tary that it would be better perhaps If
he We're to devote himself more assid-
uously to his duties
Then 1t came to passing notes at
family prayers, arranging meetings in
the orangery afterwards.
One day her ladyship's maid, acting
under instructions, followed them to
their rendezvous, and on her return
to the house revealed the purport of
their conversation to her mistress.
An awful scene followed and next
morning an advertisement appeared In
the daily papers inviting application
for the position of private secretary
and amanuensis to member of par
lament, etc.
The night that Bassidge babe fare
well to Dives Park the Divinity" cried
herself to sleep with photo and
bundle of billets-doux under her pill
low. She asserted that "her Charley"
was not "pauper" and nobody"
and she said she would rather die !
than give him up!'
The new secretary proved to be
little sandy-haired man, who wore
spectacles, and confined his attentions
solely to his blue books, being wise
enough to leave female society alone
Her ladyship satisfied herself that he
was not dangerous, and for q month
things went smoothly.
About this time, Mr.. c. G. Bassidge,
who before had declined every invita-
ton he received, suddenly became
great votary of fashion, religiously at
tending every society gathering in the
hope. suppose, of meeting with his
lady love. The consequence was that
Sir John, Lady and Miss Dives were
invariably conspicuous by their abb
sence. Every day the warfare grew
more and more bitter, and we out
siders wondered how 1t would end AS |
might be expected, public sympathy
was entirely with the lovers, and to
ny knowledge Mr.. Charles Granville {
had more than one offer of
assistance. {
At this juncture Sir John and his l
ady contemplated master stroke,
md announced immediate departure ,
n the Ormuz for England, In order,
hey said, that their daughter might
'e presented at the next drawing I
DOM.
A stroke of luck favored the lovers, q
or just week previous to the boats q
ailing Miss Dives came of age. Some
ne sent her an anonymous box of 8
Jeapolitan violets, and believe she 7
alued It more than all the costly pres
nts Of her family, inasmuch as with r
a the bunch was tiny note, on the U
ontents Of which she acted.
Dassidge had given no trouble for
early a fortnight, and her ladyship y
egan to flatter herself that she had, u
t last, defeated him. | must leave ="
on to Judge whether or not such was II
le case.
In view Of their trip to England, the
Divinity" had ordered travelling o
ress of superlative texture and neat
ess, and in order that 1t might fit as u
ever dress fitted before 1t was neces-
Try that she should have 1t most u
arefully tried on. %
For this purpose on the morning fol :,
wing her birthday, she drove to her =,
.ilors place of business, and after ~
structing the coachman to keep the =
,rses moving, entered the shop. ~
The dress having been fitted to her =.
tisfaction, she watched her opportu- Y,