The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-06-03

HawcaStle flashed her a glance and
turned to Horace.
"Oh, the date" he said doubtfully.
Il dare say within a year-two
years.
There was another little cry Of pro-
test from the countess. and the earl
glared at her menacingly. Horace
started, too, and seemed to be about
to enter positive objection. but he
contented himself with saying:
"Oh, but l say, you know. isn't
that putting it jolly far off? The
things settled. isn't it: Why not say
a month instead Of a year.
"Ha-hum." said the earl. oh, if
you like. | don't know that there is
any real objection"
IL do, indeed" returned Horace.
"See here! Why not let them marry
here in Italy,"
Hawcastle could scarcely conceal his
satisfaction, while Nine. de Cham
| pigny executed bit of a pas seul be-
hind Horace's back.
"Ah, the dashing methods Of you
| Americans!' returned the earl smil-
you'll be saying. Why not here at Sor-
| rento"''
well, and why not, indeed?" asked
| Horace instantly.
And then" went on Hawcastle,
smiling, land then it will be. Why not
| within a fortnight?'
"Right-or cried Horace. And why
| not within fortnight?''
Almeric sat up and stared at his no.
BILE father and brother-in-law to be.
but the earl smiled once more that
| cheerful smile and waved a deprecat-
ing hand.
".Ah, you wonderful people. You are
whirlwinds. yet l see no reason Why
| it should not be in a fortnight"
| "Oh. here. l say. you know inter-
| jected Almeric. heaying himself erect
| crop. The earl turned on him in
stantly.
las | say. dear boy. why not?' he
| inquired suavely. and Almeric wilted
Immediately.
Just as you say. governor" he an
swered meekly.
Enchanting. Bravav' cried the
countess. and Hawcastle again turned
to the papitating Horace.
my son is all Impotence" he MUIR
INJURED. fixing the young man with his
eye.
Quite so. quite SOP answered AL
merle daZedly, and his father went on:
shall we dispose Of the necessary
little details at Once-the various mi
nor arrangements. the-er-er-settle-
ment?" and interrupted himself with
a friendly laugh and patted Horace
upon the back. "Of course as men of
the world-our world-you understand
there are formalities in the nature of
settlement"
Horace. who was in the seventh
heaven of delight at the approaching
alliance between one Of the ancient
houses Of Kokomo, Ind, and the hon
orable line of Hawcastle. broke in
eagerly:
"Quite so. of course! l know! Ger
tainly. Perfectly"
Then We'll have no difficulty about
that. my boy. III wire my solicitor
tonight and he'll be here within two
days" said the earl carelessly. "If
you wish to consult your own solicitor
you can cable him, of course"
Suddenly Horace seemed taken with
a fit Of embarrassment.
THE fact is, Lord Hawcastle," he
said. I've a notion that our solicitor
-Ethers man Of business. that is
| Il nd how
or lived-in fact. sort Of guardian OF
hers-may be here at any time. I've
heard from friends that he is coming
in this direction"
The word had caught Hawcastle'S
attention, and he leaped at 1t.
"a sort of guardian? What sort
eh?' he inquired. seemingly taken
aback.
Il really can't say" replied Horace
apologetically. Never saw him that
know of. You see. we've been on this
side SO many years, and there's beer
no occasion for this fellow TO look us
up, but he's never opposed anything
Ethel wrote for. He seems to be ar
easy going old chap"
, Hum said Hawcastle doubtfully
Would he consent to your sister
marriage-or the matter of a settle
, ment?"
, Horace laughed cheerfully.
, Il have no doubt of it. If he ha
the slightest sense Of duty toward N
sister he'll be the first to welcome tn
} | alliance, won't he:'
5 Then when he and my solicitor com
} they can have an evening together owe
a lot Of musty papers. and the thin
] | will be done. Again, my boy, we
1 come you to our family. God bles
| YOU
Z He wrung Horace's hand again an
/ turned away as if to hide his emotic,
but really to wink at the countess
:. I'm overpowered, you know-rea
D ly overpowered. you know" stammere
I Horace. tanning himself desperatel
8 with his hat.
u Come, Almeric," said the earl, an
y as the youthful heir to his house arc:
i languidly he sided close to the coun
v ess and whispered in her ear:
d Let him know it's n hundred or
a fifty thousand"
Then he and Almeric went up Il
e steps into the hotel, leaving Hora.
e and the countess gazing at each 9th
e delightedly.
). She crossed over to him impulsive
= and. taking both his hands again, sal
5 MY friend. ] am happy for you"
Think Of it, said Horace joyousl
o I'm a fortnight at the most dear o
T. Ethel will be the Hon. Mrs. st. ABBY
It future Countess Of Hawcastlev'
II Yes" replied the countess, wit
Il drawing her hands and picking up b