The Washington herald., 1909-05-09
CHAPTER II.
fCOxuNUED1


And so il befell that ere one year had
Gene and gone a long line OF ChanceIIors
would have turned in their graves could
they have known OF the goIngs on within
the borders Of their quiet, homespun de-
mesne. Almost before the grass had
time 10 grow on the grave Of the last-oT
rather, the spiders 20 spin their webs
over the sarcophagus in the vault-Sir
Anthony's daughter had kicked over the
last traces Of conventionsEty. Young
Lucy shocked the county families for
miles around and anxious matrons shud-
dered for their sons. for well they knew
that the glamour OF her presence was
over every young mans life and her an
gel face enshrined in every heart.
But what cared she? Lucy az seven
teen could not be expected TO don the
mantle OF the matron OF fifty. and 50.
srUrning the warnings gratuitously show
cred upon her. she made a little world for
herself
Never had the quiet folk OF the lead
hills seen such a commotion IN their
midst as they witnessed that first Christ
mas after the death OF the last Sir An
thony. The castle. it is true. was shut UP
for an indefinite period. as the young Sir
Lionel had in his turn gone the grand
tour Of his ancestors Not indeed. in
search Of a wife. but 70 escape from the
snares OF a siren. for. i al reports be
true. he had already Joined the ranks OF
those who had irretrievably lost their
hearts 10 Lucy. and he was now seeking
n The sOlitudes OF Africa sUrCease from
TIE paint OF a rejected love.
But the commotion had its center az
D'alveen House and its soul in Lucy, the
girl hostess She had quickely gathered
around her a motley company. and men
wondered how she got into touch with
such peOple-sctresses dancers, singers,
stars Of comic opera. and many others
famed for nothing al all but their good
looks And amid al this array Of talent
and dazzling beauty Lucy Chancellor
shone a queen, q star. uneclipsed, unap-
preached
Il was but the beginning. the first
plunge into years Of gayety, Irritation.
intrigue, and fair Lucy with the JOY OF
lite beating in her every pulse. reigned an
empress over the kingdom Of lesser Bo-
hemia
Yet, 70 give her her due. no story
among the many besmirched her fair
name. II Is true that her path in life
was picked out with shattered hopes and
broken hearts, like the track OF a swing
ing scythe in a field Of yellow corn Bu,
was she 10 blame? II men chose 20 fall
IN love with her. il was their business,
not hers Thus she argued
The very worst that could be hinted OF
her was that she had encouraged hopes
only TO take delight IN dashing them 70
the dust and. the spi1eful said. 20 glOai
gleefully in secret over her triunphs
But this was not true. She did not give
herself so much trouble
Some there were. elderly men mostly.
and dovagers who had no narrisgeable
sons. who found Ii possible 10 pity the
Eirl who had been left such a legacy OF
mad blood. with no stern master hand 70
restrain her impetUOsity.
And so the years passed. leaving many
scar on hearts that had thrilled with
love Of her. but on her own never even 81
much as a passing impress TIL Gilbert
RurheTfUrd came.
He was not Of her set. and il was some
weeks before they met. but when she did
look into the clear, stern ewes Of the
pale. aScetic face OF the young minister
IN the moment Of that fervenJ gaze heI
whole outlook in life was changed