Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-03-28
CHAPTER
IN Which II Is Shown That Marriage
Does Not nd All

what wild fury OF passion and tenn
pest. outward and inward. the young
people may have been plunged. their
author seems TO think that he has
quieted the raging seas OF adventure
with the oil OF his pen-or OF his
typewriter,-when he has led them
20 the altar In the minds OF the
creators OF the children OF fancy prac-
tieally nothing ever happens after the
forging Of the hymeneal bond. In
the world IL is usually different
The circumstances preceding the
marriage OF Ellen Slocum and Bernard
Darlington the protagonists OF this
veraclous chronicle OF disturbance,
we're sufficiently unusual in them
selves 20 have given rise to a mum
Der Of interesting and highly exciting
episodes. upon which with great reluc-
lance I refrain from dllating. for Ellen
Slooum belonged TO az old and very
respectable family domiciled in Phila-
delphia since the days Of William
Penn. while Bernard Darlington was
an English baron Of ancient and hon
orable lineage whose seat was a dilapi-
dated castle in Dorset
Ellen was an orphan. her mother
having died IN giving birth TO her.
Her father, deceased shortly before
her marriage. had been a prosperous
merchant and shipowner. Demands
father also eliminated from the story.
had been a gambler and a spendthrift
who had broken his wife's heart and
dissipated his own fortune. Conse-
ausntly. Ellen was blessed with q
Nvvfs go
more than matched Lord Carrington's
lack Of the same. Ellen was a staunch
patriot 4 rebel and a revolutionist
therefore. Lord Darlington was a
promising lieutenant in the English
navy. In some qualities happily he
resembled his mother rather than his
father.
Without entering into the details OF
their previous acquaintance. suffice II
20 say that they had met while Lord
Darlington was a prisoner OF war at
Philadelphia. and married. The Amer
lean Revolution was over at the be-
ginning OF this romance and the scene
~ set at Darlington castle in England
Ellen's money, or a considerable por-
ton OF II. had been cheerfully used
by her 70 rehabilitate the ancient seat
Of the family OF which she was now
become the chatelaine.
There had been much business 10
attend TO IN the two years that had
elapsed since their marriage; leave
OF absence had been obtained for Lord
Darlington. arrangements for the con-
vsrting OF much OF Lady Ellen's prop
0rty into available securities which
could readily DE turned into cash. and
n deal OF planning and working with
the architects and builders and so on.
so that the marriage had been a hap
py one despite the fact that there had
existed. and still existed. an original
difference OF temperament and en-
vtronment between the two as great
as had been that between their sta
ton in life and places OF birth.
The time had arrived. however,
when all the preliminaries having
been gotten rid OF, II was necessary
that she should step forth as one OF
the great ladies OF England into which
station her money and Carrington's
position easily indicted her. Her
qualifications for filing that dlstin.
guished role were a strong and vigor.
spirit a pure and innocent mind a
lovely face. manners simple and I'm.
sophisticated. and an unbounded de-
votion TO her handsome and distin-
guished husband. There was in her
blood some strain Of the sea and she
had spent half her life on her fathers
ships. She could handle a small boat
OF even great ship. as well as a sail
or for instance. And Lord Darlington
had amused himself by teaching her
how 20 use pistol and small sword
almost as well as he.
She had the disabilities Of her quail
files. too. She had never touched a
card; she had never ridden a horse.
she did not even know the steps OF
the minuet or any other dance, and IN
al her marriage she cared little about
that prime feminine pursuit called
following the fashion" The two had
been so busy in their first comrade-
ship, there had been so much voy.
aging between England and America,
necessitated by their plans. that there
had been no time for these things as
yet
The two lovers had lived for each
other and much alone during the per.
iod preceding the opening OF this
story, but with his castle now com.
pletely repaired and his fortunes thor
oughly rehabilitated, Lord Darlington
must needs exploit his good luck By
showing his beautiful wife with whom
he was very much IN love and OF
whom he was inordinately proud, and
exc his castle. TO some particular and
intimate friends of both sexes-mer
and women of fashion Of earlier and
less innocent days. The introduction
of several varieties OF Adam ana Z
number OF distinct species OF Eve IL
fhis hitherto serpentless Eden caused
the trouble TO begin. The marriag,
had stood the test of isolation, III,
greatest test that could be imposed
Was IL TO break down before the Lessee
trial OF association? We shall see.
II was an excited and angry ElleI
who confronted her lord and maste
IN her boudOir late one autumn nigh