Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-08-21
CHAPTER vi.

reign of the M erry Monarch" HUI
bert Bayneham had been one of his
chief favorites, and he delighted to
honor him. He created him Earl OF
Bayneham and Baron of Hulsmeer.
Hubert, the first earl, built Bayne.
ham Castle, and the state apartment
Is stin shown where the king slept
when he visited his friend. From HUI
bert the line of succession was un-
broken. Son succeeded father, aad
each one added some new lustre to
the name. Hildeprand, the third
earl, was oDs OK Engiand's grandest
was an eminent statesman; his in
huepce was great, and he used it well
The father of the present earl was
remarkable fer nothing save having
married one OF the most beautiful and
imperious women in England,-Lady
Blanche Delamere. She was de-
scended from an illustrious but some
what decayed family. They had title,
rank, position and influence. but very
little money. and when Lord Bayne-
ham proposed to the daughter OF the
house, every one considered it an ex-
cellent match. No ons ever asked
what Lady Blanche thought herself.
She had beauty and dignity, and her
union with Lord Bayneham gave her
everything else; and for many years
the beautiful and imperious Countess
OF Bayneham was one of the most
eourted and popular women Of the
day.
She had a younger sister, who, uu
like the brilliant countess, married
f@ love. She united her fate with
that of an almost penniless captain,
Gerald Earle. Fortune, however, ia.
vored them, for before Gerald and
his young wife began to feel the evils
of poverty, large fortune was be-
queathed to him by a distant relative.
Gerald Earle died abroad, and his
delicate wife did not long survive
him. She left her only child, Bar
bara, 10 the care of the Countess OF
Bayneham. Her trust was nobly
fulfilled; Barbara Earle was treated
In every way ike one Of Lady Bayne-
hams own children. Her large for
tune accumulated, and when she
reached her eighteenth year she
found herself one of the wealthiest
heiresses in Englandr.
The Countess of Bayneham had one
fixed idea,-it was that her son should
marry Barbara Earle. She was
deeply attached to the young girl,
over whose childhood and youth she
had watched so we'll. Both children
were brought up with the same idea,
but nothing definite was ever said to
them. Lady Bayneham, foohshly
enough, would speak of the time
when Barbara would be Glands wife
Every day, in fifty different ways, it
was brought before them. Claud took
it as a matter of course, Barbara
loved her cousin; she had no thought
no happiness, no wish away from him.
When Claud went to college he never
returned without a present for his
intended little wife. One speech 81
his was most characteristic. Talking
one day at school in the midst of a
group of boys, who were discussing
their future, he said: Il shall never
have to trouble myself with loye-mak
ing; l am going to marry my cousin
Barbara, you know
He certainly never did trouble him.
self with love making. He was always
kind and gentle to Barbara, brt the
men OF his race had ever been ehival-
rous He paid her every attention;
never neglected her double cain as
cousin and hancee. He sought to
anticipate her wishes, to consult her
tastes, and obey her least word; but
there the matter ended. If she were
going away for six months he did not
miss her. his voice never trembled
when he spoke to her. He knew
nothing of the height OF love. or the
depth of sorrow he knew nothing
save a quiet, calm affection that had
grown with him from his childhood.
He had yet to learn what it was to
love.
His father died, and Claud became
the Ear. OF Bayneham Perhaps no
one ever began life under tairer
auspices; ne was young, handsome,
clever, anu Highly accomplished Ma
ture and fortune had both been kind
to him. He owned one of the proud
est names and the finest estates in
England. the long and inustrious
line OF ancestors had each added a
laurel to the crown OF the Bayne-
hams. Everything and every one
smiled upon him. He was one OF
the happiest of men until that May
morning came and brought him to the
woods of Brynmar.
When Claud had been for two years
lord of Bayneham Castle, his mother
told him, in very plain words. she
thought it time he should marry.
"A mans position" said the coun.
tess, lis never fully established un.
til he is married, | need not tell
you how much depends upon the
choice Of wife. Fortunately you
have made good choice. You must
remember, Claud, you have not mixed