Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1909-05-27

.sAh, the dashing methods of you
Americans! returned the earl smil-
ingly You carry things on so! Next
you'll be saying. Why not here at Sor-
rentoy'
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,o! cried Horace. "And why
not within fortnight?'
Almeric sat up and stared at his no.
Bile father and brother-in-law to be,
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 fortnight
"Oh. here! say. you KNOW inter
jected Almeric, heaving himself erect
in the chair and waving protesting
stantly.
"As | say, dear boy, why not7" he
inquired suavely. and Almeric wilted
Immediately.
"Just as you say. governor" he an
swered meekly.
"Enchanting BrayaY' cried the
countess. and Hawcastle again turned
to the palpitating 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
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! know! Ger
tainly! Perfectly
'sThen Wen have no difficulty about
that. my boy I'll 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.
'HThe fact is, Lord Hawcastle," he
said, eve notion that our solicitor
-Ethers man of business, that is
from Kokomo, Ind, where our govern
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 it.
"a sort of guardian? What sort,
ehY' he inquired, seemingly taken
aback
81 really can't say" replied Horace
apologetically. Never saw him that i
know of. You see, we've been on this
side so many years, and there's been
no occasion for this fellow to look us
up, but he's never opposed anything
Ethel wrote for. He seems to be an
easy going old chap"
"Humr said Hawcastle doubtfully.
would he consent to your sisters
marriage-or the matter of settle
ment?'
Horace laughed cheerfully.
ssI have NO Doubt ~ Ar IF ho has
the slightest sense of duty toward my
sister he'll be the first to welcome the
alliance, won't hep
''Then when he and my solicitor come
they can have an evening together over
lot of musty papers, and the thing
will be done. Again, my boy, wei.
come you to our family. God bless
you!.
He wrung Horace's hand again and
turned away as if to hide his emotion,
but really to wink at the countess.
I'm overpowered, you know-real-
ly overpowered, you know" stammered
Horace, tanning himself desperately
with his hat.
"Come, Almeric," said the earl, and
dS Lie yOulAlul Hell " LIS 11OuSG tiAOoC
languidly he sided close to the count
ess and whispered in her ear:
"Let him know it's a hundred and
fifty thousand"
Then he and Almeric went up the
steps into the hotel, leaving Horace
and the countess gazing at each other
delightedly.
She crossed over to him impulsively
and, taking both his hands again, said:
my friend, / am happy for you"
"Think of it!' said Horace joyously.
"In fortnight at the most dear old
Ethel will be the Hon. Mrs. st. Aubyn,
future Countess Of Hawcastle!'
YES" replied the countess, with
drawing her hands and picking up her
parasol, land there is but the little ar
rangement of the settlement between
your advocate and Lord Hawcastle's.