The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1907-02-01

HIS mother silently handed him the
paper.
Then she is My Lady Lettice," he
said, land not Miss Hilary Fortescue!"
,&.Geoffl" his mother looked up low
ingly. Il have seen-you love her;
but YOU have not spoken-?'
The young fellow turned toward the
window Il have not spoken OF
course, he said slowly, ''and never
shall now-but-I love her, All!
how love her, my little Hilary"
Unperceived, third person had en-
tered the room. She had meant in
slant flight, but the. half-stified cry of
anguish arrested her footsteps. My
Lady Lettuce had grown into woman
during the last few days-she had
learned many new things.
"Geoff!"
The one word escaped her trembl-
ing lips, and then, as if ashamed OF
saying so much, she slipped swiftly
across the room and hid her flushing
face on Mrs. Anstruther's shoulder.
Geoff's mother put her gently from
her.
MY dear little Hilary-I mean Lady
Lettice," she said ccnsolingly; Il
think should go to some one else if /
were your"
And then she went quickly out OF
the room, and closed the door behind
her. The young people must settle the
future between them!
Anstruther took stride toward his
little love, who was looking, if possible,
more beautiful than ever with her
hazel eyes, and the pretty color COM
ing and going in her delicate cheeks.
Mother is right-she reminded me
In time you are My Lady Lettuce
now" he said, as if to excuse his sud
den halt
She bowed her pretty head. She had
spoken once-had given him his
chance. 1t was he who must make the
next move, in whatever direction II
should please him.
At that moment shadow darkened
the pathway outside. Lady Lettuce
looked up nervously.
"Father!'' she cried piteously.
And Geoff, remembering all that she
had suffered, was standing by her side,
when the earl was announced min
ute later The face of the latter bore
unmistakable signs of uneasiness; it
was white and drawn, and there were
fresh lines about his mouth, and
heavy sleepless look about his eyes. A
light dawned on Lady Lettuce.
Father" she said again, holding out
her hands.
A smile crossed the Earls face; he
looked at his daughter, then at the
young man who stood protectingly at
her side.
"You found her, 1 understand; he
said, land saved her, my poor little
Lettice, from what might have been an
ugly fate. l feel owe her life to you,
Mr. Anstruther, and am not insensible
to the fact, believe me.
'Lettice," turning to the graceful
girl whose beauty he seemed to recog-
nize for the first time, 'sare You COM
ing home with me?'
She looked once more at Anstruther,
who stood knitting his brows in
thought, while a queer smile played
round his mobile clean-shayen mouth.
He was not handsome-this ordinary
looking young Englishman-bu TO Let
tice he represented all that was desire
able at that moment!
'sMy lord,' he said suddenly, you
can pay that debt, if you will, by Civ
ing me your daughter. love her, my
lord, and l am far from poor. Are you
too proud to let me win her?'
Lettice raised beseeching eyes to her
fathers face. He had suffered much
from his conscience during the past
week; he must make amends now,
whatever 1t cost him.
"Lettice, you hear-are you wiling"
he asked slowly.
The daughter he had known so lit
tie threw her arms round his neck.
81 love him, father" she confessed,
and without more ado the Earl gave
his consent.
after all, my lord, she will still be
My Lady Lettuce" the happy young
lover said, when an hour later her
parent carried Lettuce off TO her own
home once more.
And My Lady Lettuce she still is
Lady Lettuce Observation-Disclosures
Chronicle.