The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-17


reason Amanda Malvina was playing
him false, left for Dublin the next morn
ing without trying to see her again.
Amanda. of course, was plunged into the
deepest detection, but when Ellen con-
fessed her part in the matter she forgave
the girl as a being of such sweet charac-
ter only could do. She grew paler than
ever and was SO evidently pining away
that when Lady Greystock proposed TO
take his daughter to London for the win
ter Captain Fitzalan gladly consented in
the hope that change of scene would
restore her to health.
In London Lady Greystock went much
into society, and took Amanda with her.
Lord Mortimer was in London, and nat
urally Amanda met him often. At first
they tried to avoid each other, but 1t was
useless-their great love brought them to-
gether, and Amanda having told every
thing to Mortimer he declared that he
could not and would not marry Lady Eu-
phrasia-that Amenda and Amanda alone
held his heart now and forever. But
though their former delightful relations
were now re-established. Amanda said
that she would not marry Mortimer with
out the consent of her father and the ap-
proval of Lord Cherbury. Lord Nor
timer thought that when his father real
lied that upon no account would he unite
himself with Lady Euphrasia he would
consent to his marriage with Amanda,
and If the Earl consented there was little
doubt the captain would also approve.
Sir Charles Bingley was In London, and
made formal proposal for the hand of
Malvina. She told him her affections were
elsewhere engaged and that she could
only be daughter to him.
But the wicked Colonel Belgrave was
also in London. The failure In his at
tempts upon Malvina had only added fury
to the flames of passion which consumed
him, and he determined to effect her
downfall at whatever hazard or by what
ever means Of villainy. In Lady Euphra-
STA and her parents Belgrave found able
allies, for they were furious at the pros
pect of Amanda carrying off the matri-
monial prize of the season, Lord Morti-
mer, a prize which Lady Euphrasia had
promised to herself Old Lady Grey
stock too. purely selfish woman, lent
herself to the plots against Amanda.
In furtherance of these plots it was ar
ranged that the Marchioness, who ap-
peared suddenly to realize that, after all,
Amanda was her niece, should insist upon
the girl coming to stop with her while
in London. Lady Greystock, as the tenn
porary guardian of Amanda, insisted that
the invitation of the Warehouses be ac-
do installed
member of the household Of Lord Roslin.
One night, when everybody except herseit
had gone to a ball, Amanda sat reading
In Lady Euphrasia's room when there
suddenly appeared to her> Colonel Bel
grave Indignantly she asked him what
he did there. He replied that he must
and would possess her. She need not
scream for help, as all the servants were
in his pay. Amanda delivered to him
. rafting sermon on morality and virtue,
and when he tried to seize her she broke
away from his grasp and ntrenched be-
hind a chair, heaped upon his head
shower Of indignant scorn and reproach.
Just then the party which had been at
! tending the ball were heard coming into
the drawing room, and among the voices
Amanda recognized that of Lord Morti-
mer. Her first impulse was to scream for
help, but Belgrave pointed out to her that
if she did she was lost, for nobody would
believe her word, against that of himself
and the servants, who were ready 10
swear that Amanda had taken advantage
of the absence of the family to send for
him to come to her. If she was quite ne
he would go out Of the room through
closet, the door of which was partially
omen and leave the house as secretly as
he had entered 1t.
In a moment of weakness Amanda con-
scented to this plan. and as Lady Eu-
phrasia entered the room the colonel dis
appeared into the closet But Bel