The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-09

and its authors punished" But Lady Mason went to The Cleeve neverthe- less. And in those days, while Lady Mason was staying at his house Sir Peregrine asked himself over and over again: why should I not?'
 The chivalrous old gentleman, who, though he was turned 70, and was still keenly alive to a strong feeling or romance, had assured Lady Mason that he would be to her as father; but her woman's instinct told her that the pressure of his hand was warmer than that which father arrords to an adopted daughter As for Mrs Orme, she had thrown herself into Lady Masons arms' the two were fast and bosom friends There was much that was sweet to the perplexed woman in all this. but. 1t seemed to increase also that idea or danger which now seemed to encom- pass her whole existence.
 One day Sir Peregrine cautiously opened his question of Why should | not?" with Mrs. Orme. Then. seeing that he was making little progress, ne came out plumply with: Edith, love her with my whole heart. would fain make her my wife" Sir Pere- grine was a courageous old gentleman.
 Dearest father" softly replied Mrs, Orme," will it make you more happy?
 "Yes," replied the baronet slowly. T think 1t will"
 So Mrs. orme was satisfied. Sir Peregrine's happiness was her only consideration. To Lady Mason he said' T am an old man---some would say a very old man. But am not too olo to love you. Can you accept the love of an old man like me? I mean the love of a husband for his wife. of wife for her husband?'
 Though not exactly taken by sur prise, Lady Mason was much asltated' "Sir Peregrine. An, me! You have no thought of this. my friend-you have not remembered the position in which I am placed, dearest friend dearest of all friends"-and then she knelt before him. leaning on his knees as he sat in his accustomed armchair, ''It may not be so," she cried. Think of the sorrow that would come upon you and yours If my enemies shoula prevail" -,, ..
 "By-. they shall not prevail. swore Sir Peregrlne roundly. and he put his two hands upon her shoulder
 "But there will be disgrace In even standing at that bar, protested Laoy Mason.
 "Who will dare to say so when l sbau stand there with your" replied the baronet proudly and tenderly.
 Lady Mason was tempted; ah, most sorelv was she tempted. There had grown in her heart real love for this old man. the first of the kind she had ever known. She had loved, and did love. her son. but it was with another sort of love than this. Thls she ielt was the love d woman should have for the man she married. And then her life had been so lonely and so hard beSet Her son was cold toward her and half estranged. Here was a tower of strength, a haven Of refuge, offered her when she most needed H.
 In her distress and her weakness she yielded, crying out at the tune '9h. Mir Peregrine. it would nave been better for you that you had never seen mel" ooa,a Iadv Orme was news that was sonn flnne widely abroad, for Sir Pere- arina Haunted the fact Valiantly. as Enieht of old Haunted the colors of his lady-love on the lance with .,'hinh he was about to enter into stern oon,hat for her sake Lady Mason wrote the news to Lucius at orley Farm. and the austere Lucius Was mortified. Children always are at the idea of their parents marrying again Sir Perergrine told young Peregrine and the grandson was surly,
 ~ hope you understand that it will not affect your interests" said the "i do not care about that, sir. one way or the other the, grandson re- nIied with sturdy truth.
 "I think I have right to please my self in this matter" said Sir Peregrine rather stiffly.
 "Oh. yes. sir. you have the right was all the reply the young man would
 Then he rode over to Orley Farm to see Lucius, and both young men agreed that the marriage must take place MT Furnival heard the news with scarcely less anger than the two young men. Why, he could not say--or would not admit-even to himself; but he