The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23

The sincerity of their opinions was
tested rudely one day when good-na-
tured Henry sydney preached the sub
ject OF Introducing a democratic per-
rich and radical mill-owner. IAN
Internal manufacturer" cried Conings-
by.
The son OF tho "infernal manufac-
turer" was no more anxious to join the
aristocrats than Coningsby was to
have him. His father had inspired him
with his own hot wrath against the
insolent class that denied others any
rights in society or government. Try
as he would, however, no could not
withstand the face, the fire and tho
charm Qor Harry could not be rude
to any one) of Coningsby. Before long
he fell completely under his SPELL until
at last his admiration had grown into
a passionate friendship.
Soon there was added to this purely |
Ideal affection the gratitude that is
due to one who has done the greatest
conceivable service. Millbank was
saved from drowning by Coningsby at
so great a risk that both were resus- |
citatcd only with difficulty. Coningsby. |
in turn. naturally became interested
In the youth whom he had rescued, and
in the end he came to return in full
measure tho love that the youpy
From Millbanl Coningsby learned |
more and more of the rising, already |
Influential classes In England, who |
were not noble and yet were determined |
To acquire power. Hn looked with II
new eye on the tangle OF party poll
tics--the cries OF Toryism. Whiggery
and Conservatism, and realized that
hardly anybody knew what those !
names really meant IL, indeed. they |
meant anything.
From that time dated Coningsby's
spiritual birth. He shook himself clear
of all preconceiVed notions and began
to study with an untrammelcd mind:
young eagle searching the ether for
tho course OF his free flight.
Thus he camc>to be eighteen. and the
day arrived for him to quit his bean
tiful Elton and enter a greater world,
with ambitions more tangible and less
noble, with shining achievement to
dazzle the eyes SO that they arc in dan ]
ger OF becoming blind to the purer
dreams OF ife's sprngtime.
He was invited to Coningsby Castle
to see the brilliant world that gath
cred around his grandfather wherever
lie was. The reform bill. which had
passed despite the dire warnings CT
Rigbys Tapers and Tadpoles that i'll
meant the destruction OF the country,
had robbed Lord Monmouth of his ten
boroughs, and with them, of the almost
ripened plum of the dukedom on which
he had set his heart. But while his
companions IN misfortune We're bewail-
| ing their overthrow. this adversely gave
stimulating interest and tho zest of
a struggle to his daring mind that was
! satiated with success and surfelted
/ with prosperity.
+ He resolved inappropriate to himself
| the new borough of Darlrord in his
| vicinity and to send Rigby to Parlia-
ment from it. Therefore he opened the
| castle, filled 1t with London's most
| brilliant folk. secured troop Of
French comedians and invited all his
| neishbors. great and small.
| He had the worst county reputation
| conceivable. He spent hardly any time
| In England. Every little squire vowed
| that he would not demean himself by
| appearing at the castle. He smiled sar-
donlcally, for ne knew well that his
splendor would draw them to It's
| flame. as it did.
Once having been drawn. they were
| fascinated. for Lord Monmouth had
/ the most perfect manner in the world
| he was good-natured, even good-hu-
| mored for one so selfish. Though he
| never loved any one, he rarely took the
| trouble to hate any one. except his
own children. There was never cloud
| of caprice or iil-temper to prevent his
fine manners from having full play.
! He looked on diverted to see how.
with a well-earned reputation for vice.
and having treated people with unpre-
cedented neglect and contumely, lie
| could win back their golden opinions
in moment by the magic of title,
!, manners and wealth.
/ Harry Coningsby gazed with emotion
| on the castle that bore his name. He
/ could see 1t lmiles away, SO proud was
Its position on Its forested height, with
the sun throwing rich color on the
| great pile. He was met by a crowd
of reta!ners and ushered through grand
portals into a scene that was like
great theatre, so crowded was 1t with
life, color and hustle
Lord Monmouth placed his arm
around Contngsby with a dignity of at
lection that would have become Louis
Then he led the agitated young fellow
to circle of great ladies and gentle
| meht. among whom were princess
and an imperial grand duke.
The princess received him with espe-
| cial favor; for she was the very Same
Princess Colonna he had seen at Mon
mouth House on his first visit. indeed
Princess Colonna was SO constant a
| guest Of Lord Monmouth that some
i extremely straight-laced magnificocs
declared, that 1t was impossible to visit
4 Coningsby although the lady was never
4 without the protection of her husband
4 the prince, and the company of her
stepdaughter. Princess Lucretia.
The Princess Colonna had marked
the young mans reception by his
grandfather and instantly thought Of
! him as possible match for Lucretia,
:, whose society she would have lost
gladly, for she neither loved her fran
tically nor did she care to share the
. princes microscopic income with her
a moment longer than she could help.
Lucretia received her stepmother's
suggestions with scorn, She had higher
ambitions than to pin her future to
that of a poor young relative. depend
ent on the whims Of man like Lord
Monmouth. Besides, she had fallen
under the spell of one of the most
brilliant, most courted and most puz-
, cling men OF his time-Sidonia, a des-
cendant of an ancient and noble jew
fish family Of Spain and a man SO
wealthy that almost all the governs
ments of Europe were deeply In his
debt and found 1t vital to confer with
him before they ventured on wars or
great projects of peace.
, lie had the depth of intellectual de-
velopment that Is Characteristic of the
, pure Arabian stock. He had lived In
| 4