The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-04-02

utSdut MIS-. OaltnOrpe, at Oeranlum
Villa. DR.. O'Flight, physician of re-
pute in the cathedral town, having GER
tain grudge of long standing against the
old Earl of Beryl, actually took his wife
and daughters to call upon the adven-
turess, and invited her to dinner on the
following Thursday.
Ellen went to the fine old house in the
High street, and really won the hearts
of the doctors wife and rather passe but
most am.able daughters. Her vivacity
passed for wit, her Alterations for re-
tnement. She was exquisitely dressed in
white, with a gold cross and necklace,
and a scarlet flower at her waist.
Ellen was clever. She had received
an education rather superior to that
which a girl in her sphere would be like
ly to receive in England, and she had
read much for her station. She could
sing and even play. nor was she wanting
in certain degree of taste. Besides all
this, it was popularity supposed that this
young person had very solid grounds on
which to found her pretensions.
She was really-so she said, and her
lawyers said the same-married TO Ar
thur Calthorpe, according to Scotch law.
She told tale plaintively and we'll
and every word of it false-of his love-
making and perjured vows. One proof
she lacked-letters which breathed love,
and acknowledged the marriage. In re-
atty, Miss Watson did not possess one
line of Arthur's handwriting.
However, this was only July, and the
trial did not come until November there
fore, Ellen Watson, being a young wom-
an of resources, did not fear. She had
told her lawyer she would be able to
produce some letters by the time of the
trial, and her lawyer believed her.
/ 1t was on lovely evening that Leila
Leigh, the tasks of the day being ended,
sought and obtained permission from Miss
Pritchard, the proprietress of the Col
lege of st. Martha's, to walk into Alb
botshold, to the library, there to seek
particular book.
| Leila walked along between the hedges.
There was certain depression in the
air; or was it in the girls own heart?
Between the branches of the trees she
could see the yellow sunset sky. The
heat had been intense all day; but now
a cool breeze rustled the corn, which
grew on the other side of the tall hedge.
Suddenly she heard wheels behind her
Looking round, she perceived the roam
ponies of the so-called Mrs Calthorpe.
| The lady was alone. She wore a scarlet
silk cloak, white straw hat and founc-
ed white skirt. She was holding the
reins lightly, leaning back among her
cushions, smiling her usual smile.
Leila felt her cheeks flush and her
heart beat when this woman appeared.
Ellen Watson slackened the rens of her
ponies, and looked still smiling at Leila
Leigh, and Leila flushed again. The
contrast was painful. Her rival leaned
back elegantly dressed amid soft cushions.
Her well-stepping little roans bore her
along with grace and spirit. She was
actually called in the neighborhood Mrs.
Calthorpe. She had money. she had par
tisans, she had ease, and style, and lux
ury.
Leila wore dress Of plain striped
muslin. Her salary was small; her life
kwas toilsome. She was poor and obscure.
| Her very beauty was, as it were, hid un-
der q bushel in the seclusion OF St. Mar
tha's. Arthur Calthorpe's love for her
was Just now thing to hide. and be even
little ashamed of. until the claims of
the woman who drove the roam ponies
were annulled.
Ellen Watson came to a, standstill and
beekoned Leila Leigh imperiously with
her whip. Leila drew herself up. and
was passing on haught;ly. when the other
called after her.
Miss Leigh-Miss Leigh, | wish to
speak TO YOU"
Leila turned round. The flush had left
her cheek: she was pale now; but her
eyes flashed She did not speak.
OH said Ellen Watson, Tipping a
hedge-fower with her whip. Il want
your brother to give me lessons in French
Will you ask him? l know he could
give me four hours a week: and those
people at Wycherly could we'll spare him.
l knew you by sight my maid told me-
when you sat in church"
"Of course l can mention IT." said
Leila coldly; and she would have walked
OF, but the other stopped her again.
"You know l am Mrs. Calthorpe, of
course?'
mo; / do not know II. 1t is not
known yet, madam. 1t will require to be
established before it is acknowledged"
Miss Watson's face grew pallid. She
cenched her teeth, and the smile died
away from her lips.
What / have heard is true, then, Miss
Leigh. He pretends to love you, eh:"
Madam, l answer no questions Mr..
Caltnorpe can be nothing more than
friend TO anybody until your claims are
proved or disclaimed'
They will never be disclaimed," replied
Ellen Watson calmly. Il have an uncle,
a lawyer, who knows every turn Of the
Scotch law; and he tells me to rest per-
fectly secure"
A chill of dread-a conviction that this
woman spoke the truth, that her claim
would be made valid. and that though
Arthur Calthorpe might never live with
this Scotch woman, she would have a
right to bear his name, and share his
fortune-took absolute possession of Leila
Leigh.
| She turned her face resolutely away
from the driver of the ponies Her heart
swelled unanimously. Despair laid its
hard, cold clutch on her. 1t was useless
to reproach this clever adventures, who
had contrived to make the heir of a vast
| fortune and noble title marry her ac-
cording to the laws of her country be-
tween the pause of a game of forfeits.
She called back Leila once more.
| stop! tell him from me that / shall
not trouble him with my presence; only
call myself first Mrs. Calthorpe, and next
Countess of Beryl. shall have several
thousands a year, and lead a happy life
abroad"
Leila did not answer, but turned her
face resolutely toward Abbotshold. The
pony carriage went dashing by her
swiftly. Soon she emerged into a wide
road, on each side of which stood fine
old houses in large gardens. The towers
of the old cathedral stood dark against
the primrose evening sky, from which
the golden and purple glow had faded
by the time that Leila entered the town.
| All at once her thoughts came down to
everyday matters. 1t was a simple cause
which recalled them-the rumbling of a