The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1907-05-03

- vas q HAL " III
was a member of the legislative coun
Gil, a squatter, a merchant and a mil
%horaire, all at the same time, His
name was Alexander Dives.
Lady Dives was a leader of society,
which means that she opened subscrip-
ton lists with crushing munifcence.
and entertained on scale which
eclipsed even vi~ce-roys,ty itself.
Lady Dives had a ds2shter whom we
called the DIVINITY. She was a
sweet girl. and hG6 Jeen brought up
strictly under her .rother's eye. a fact
which in itself VSs sufficient TO guar.
antee her At to become a kings con.
sort But Tough she spoke five
European ~lecsuages like a native. and
could ride 5ance, sing and play half a
dozen in'.ruments better thar most
professionals, she vas not proud. but
charging.
II 7rder 10 facilitate his public du-
tieg Sir John employed as private sec
rs;ary a most m%eritorious 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. lie was a good looking silent
young Englishman of mysterious an
te%cedents, who declined to talk OF his
past. and said he had come out 10
make his fortune; but as this is what
every newcomer says. nobody gave
him credit for originality. However.
ne made a 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 II was
plain 10 all OF MS that he was more
than a little in love with her.
Having grasped the enormity of
this. Lady Dives lectured her daugh.
ter severely. while Sir John conveyed
a delicate hint to his private secre.
tary that it would be better perhaps if
he We're 70 devote himself more assid.
uously TO his duties.
Then it came to passing notes at
FAMILY prayers, arranging meetings in
the orangery afterwards.
One day her lady ships maid. acting
under instructions. followed them TO
their rendezvous. and on her return
20 the house revealed the purport Of
tnsir conversation to her mistress.
An awful scene followed. and next
morning an advertisement appeared in
the daily papers inviting application
Tor the position OF private secretary
amanuensis TO a member of par.
lament. etc.
The night that Bsssidge babe fare
well to Dives Park the Divinity" cried |
herself to sleep with a photo and
bundle of billets-doux under her nil |
low. she asserted that her Charley" !
not a ''pauper" and a nobody"
and she said she would rather die (
than give hin up"
The new secretary proved to be a Y
little sandy-haired man. who wore
;~pectaclec. and confined his attentions +
solely s,, his blue books. being wise Z
60 leave female society alone :
her l.tyship satisfied herself thai he
rot dangerous. and for a month i
hirgs went smoothly.
About this time. Mr.. c. G.. Bassidge :
before had declined every invita-. '
Ion he received. suddenly became a $,
votary of fashion. reiigiously at. III
ending every society gathering / in the ne
ope. | suppose. Of meeting with his m
idy love. The consequence was hat II
tr John. Lady and Miss Dives were ad
lvarlabiy conspicuous by their alb co
e1te. Every day the warfare grew fr,
iore and more bitter. and we out.
wondered how il would end. As sv
be expected. public sympathy tn
as entirely with the lovers. and 10 I'm
" knowledge Mr.. Charles Grenville da
assidge had more than one offer OF r,
ssisiance. IN,
At this iuncture Sir John and his ne
dy contemplated a master stroke.
announced immediate departure wi
the Orn--z for England. in order. col
icy said, that their daughter might wa
presented at the next drawing. no
A stroke OF luck favored the lovers an'
r just a week previous 10 the boats dal
Hing Miss Dives came OF age. Some %
.e sent her an anonymous box OF sal
aapolitan yiolets. and | believe she tic
lued il more than all the costly pres 7
Is Of her family. inasmuch as with. rail-
the bunch was a tiny note. on the inl
ntents OF which she acted. +"
Bassidge had given no trouble for 'bu
arly a fortnight. and her ladyship per
gan to fatter herself that she had. due
last. defeated him. | must leave wit
u TO Judge whether or not such was he
2 case. maj
In view OF .heir trip TO England, the
iyinity' had ordered a travelling stel
ess Of superlative texture and neat. w
IS. and in order that il might fit as true
dress fitted before II was necos- Z
~ that she should have II ms dau
tried on. sell
this purpose on the morning fol aus
wing her birthday. she drove TO her INe
lorE place OF business. ana after MS
'tructing the coachman to keep the pea
rsCs moving. entered the sl,op. MS
The dress having been fitted to her cam
.isfaction, she watched her opportu. we
y. and. as the carriage was going RES
the street. she strolled nuiatIv out