Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-11-20
THE MESSALLIANCE
OF THE MARQUIS

| - $500 ~'@~@As> - Nh~s
Lady Heyford laughed merrily and
poured herself out another cup of tea.
Freddy, ycu are really getting brill
liant | see your meaning exactly. You
are an ambassador of peace. Who sent
your
Lord Frederick dropped his eyeglass
The duke" he said, ''he wants to
meet you and be reconciled before Jack
returns from South Africa"
Lady Heyford toyed with her tea
spoon.
Its short notice. she said after
long pause. Il expect Jack on Tues
day"
And this is Friday It means this
weekend. Stretch a point, Stella,
there's brickt The old boys treated
he's never seen you. And besides, he's
only duke! You ought to make al
lowances for his limitations"
'If you want me to take you seriously,
Freddy, don't laugh! It's only for
Jacks sake I'd think of such thing. T
don't like eating humble pie. But PllI
do as you wish The bitterness of the
dukes first letter | could forgive His
disappointment at his sons choice was
perhaps natural But he has not only
ignored me- He has ignored my son,
who must one day stand where he
stands. Would You forgive that if you
were in my place, Freddy?"
I'D try, Stella, really think | would,
if | were you.'
Then because you've been such a
brick of a brother to me, Freddy, and for
Jacks sake, I'll go. But don't imagine
that the duke is forgiven!'
Lord Frederick's glance travelled over
the exquisite lines of her figure.
He won't give you your revenge,
Stella. If / know my father he'll fall
at your feet directly he sees you. Any
how, you're goingl'
The ordinary affairs of life at Grand
borough hall were managed with ex-
IRENE precision, and the carriage ac-
eordingly arrived at the station just as
the train was steaming in.
When Lady Gladys reached the plat
form she was encountered by nurse
carrying a baby The next moment she
was seized in a lusty embrace. a re-
sounding kiss was planted on each of
her checks, and in loud voice which
could be heard from end to end of the
| platform she was greeted thus:
''And you're Lady Gladys! / recog-
nized you from your photos in the pa
pers 'Ow are you, my dear2"
Gladys tried to smile, but failed dis
mally. Regarding class prejudice, in
her heart of hearts, as something of a
bore, sine had been sure that the woman
who had appealed to her fastidious
brother Jack would also appeal to her
But, looking at Lady Heyford for the
first time, she saw a loud, overdrcssed
woman, with heavily made-up face and
hair OF an impossible gold, the very
embodiment, in fact, of the vision the
duke had conjured up when the news of
his sons mesalliance had first reached
him
How do you dot" she said @and this
is my nephew? I'm glad YOU brought
m--Stella! Father will be so pleased"
With a pleasure that was not as,
stunned she bent over the fluffy mass "
ing in its nurses arms, and raised the
veil. The future Duke of Grandbor-
ough was very fine boy and with al
most sigh of relief, she realized that he
resembled his father
He's sweet, isn't he? You are fond
of him already | can see"
Gladys looked up quickly. Lady Hey
lords voice, as she spoke of her son.
had undergone subtle change. Ali at
once, it seemed, she had become refined
and quiet. But the appalling colofs
| which she presented to the eye quickly
destroyed the illusion.
Lady Heyford seized the duke in a
fierce embrace ON arrival at Grandbor-
ough hall, kissed him on both cheeks
and finally, horror of horrors, on top of
his bald head
Gladys seized the nurse by the arm
and dashed to his rescue
And this is your grandson, father!n
she exclaimed.
With an obvious effort. the duke had
Strengthened himself again. 1t was i'm.
possible TO read in mis- face the disgust
he felt, but there was in his eyes tired
look which his daughter had never seen
| before.
With shaking hand he touched the
baby's cheek; the little chap smiled at
! him, as he was accustomed TO smile at
everyone, and his likeness to Lord Hey
| cord became more apparent than ever
| In spit of himself, the duke returned
the smile, and Gladys, happening to
! glance at Lady Heyford. distinctly saw
a tear wearing furrow through her
elaborate makeup
| Luncheon was scarcely success. With
each course the visitor administered
| fresh shock. She ate her soup with
! loud noise and her fish with steel
| knife, took three potatoes with her cut
! let and asked the "dook" ii he grew
| his own vegetables. And all the time
she kept up d running fire of remin-
| iscenees, most of which centered in her
experience on the STAGE
/ The duke remained coldly polite. but |