The Somerset reporter., 1909-06-03
A NoVelization
of the Play of
the Same Name
Copyright. 1908. by American
Press Association

joyfully. though brokenly:
She has. indeed | assure you | am
quite overcome. my dear friends.
Really, l assure you"
With silvery laugh Nine. de Cham
pigny stepped backward from him,
making little courtesy as she did SO,
The earl came forward with out
stretched hands and grasped one of
Horaces between both his own.
My dear young friend" be said.
Not at all-not at ALL
As the remark seemed a trife am
biguous. Horace looked at him inquir-
ingly, but, reading reinsurance in his
face. replied instantly:
IL assure you l am. | assure you l
am. It's quite overpowering, isn't itr
With look of commiseration the
"Ah, poor NJ Horacer'
From his spra wled attitude In the
chair the honorable Almeric drawIed
protest.
Il say! Don't take it that way, you
know. She's very happy"
and crossed the terrace quickly to
grasp the hand of the bridegroom to
be The fact that it was as limp as a
macberel did not worry him an instant.
She's worthy of fishes worthy Of
It! l know she is! And when will it
be, st. Aubyn?" he said
"Enchantingv cried the countess en-
Enthusiastically. $50 clear is his grasp
Of the case, eh?''
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 a positive objection. but he
contented himself with saying:
'Oh. but say, you know. isn't
that putting 1t jolly far off? The
things settled, isn't lit Why not say
a month instead of year?"
"Ha-humw said the earl. "Oh, If
you like! don't know that there is
any real objection"
II do indeed" returned Horace.
See here! Why not let them marry
here In ItalyT'
Hawcastle could scarcely conceal his
satisfaction. while Nine. de Cham
pigny executed bit of pas seul be-
hind Horace's back.
"Ah, the dashing methods of you
Americans!" returned the earl smil-
ingly. You carry things on sol Next
you'll be saying. why not here at Sor-
rentoY"
We'll, and why not, indeed?' asked
Horace instantly.
And then" went on Hawcastie,
smiling. land then it will be. Why not
within a fortnightT"
'Right-or cried Horace. And why
not within a fortnightr'
Almeric sat up and stared at his no
bic father and brother-in-law to be,
but the carl smiled once more that
cheerful smile and waved a deprecat-
ing hand.
"Ah. you wonderful people! You are
whirfwinds, Jet see no reason why
it should not DO in fortnight"
'-Oh, hsrsl say. you know" inter-
jestsd Almeric. heaving himself erect
in the chair and waving protesting
crop The earl turned on him in
stantly.
AS say. dear boy. why not?" he
inquired suavely. and Almeric wilted
Immediately.
"Just az you say, governor" he an
swsrsd meekly.
Enchanting! Bravar' cried the
countess. and Hawcastle again turned
to the FACILITATING Horace.
my son IL all impatience,S he MUIR
INJURED, fixing the young man with his
eye.
Quite so. quite sol" answered Al
merle daxedly. 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 worid-our worId-you understand
there are formalities In the nature Of
a 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
orabAs hns Of Hawcastle. broke In
eagerly:
''Oufts 30. Of Counsel I know! Ger
tafnfy! Perfectly
Then 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 cnrelessiy. IF
you wish to consult your own solicitor
you can cable him. Of course"
Suddenly Horace seemed taken with
u at Of embarrassment.
Tho fact IS. Lord Hawcastle," he
said. 'T'vs a 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,
chr he inquired. seemingly taken
aback.
IT really can't say" replied Horace
apologetically. "Never saw him that I
bpnr NJ Won 600 uo,va boon on thil