Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-08-03

lngly, but, reading reinsurance In his
face, replied instantly:
II assure you | am. assure you
um. It's quite overpowering, isn't itT
With a look of commiseration the
countess regarded him and said softly:
"Ah, poor NJ. Horace"
From his sprawled attitude In the
rhair the honorable Almeric drawled
protest
"a say! Don't take 1t that way, you
know. She's very happy"
Horace recovered himself instantly
md crossed the terrace quickly to
'.rasp the hand Of the bridegroom to
- The fact that Il was us limp as
uacLerrl did not worry him an instant
she's worthy Of fishes worthy Of
4. know she is. And when will 1t
,c. 81 .iubyn!" he said.
'Enc.aniinsw cried the countess en-
Enthusiastically $50 clear Is his grasp
VI the c;lSr. rhI
uGwcaStie dashed her a glance and
:urned to Horace.
Oh. the dateY 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 | say, you know, isn't
that putting 1t jolly far OF? The
things settled. isn't It? Why not say
a month instead Of year,"
"Ha-hum" said the earl. "Oh, II
you like. don't know that there IL
any real objection"
81 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 Horaces back.
"Ah, the dashing methods OF you
Americans!' returned the earl smil-
lngly. "You carry things on so! Next
you'll be saying, Why not here at sor-
rentoY"
"Well, and why not, indeedT asked
Horace instantly.
"And then" went on Hawcastle,
smiling. "and then 1t will be, why not
within fortnightY"
"Right-ow cried Horace. And why
not within a fortnight"
Almeric sat up and stared at bis no.
ble father and brother-in-law to be,
but the earl smiled once more that
cheerful smile and waved deprscat-
ing hand.
"Ah. you wonderful people! You are
whirlwinSs. yet l see no reason why
1t should not be in fortnight"
"Oh, here! say, you know" inter-
jected Almeric, heaying himself erect
in the chair and waving a protesting
crop The earl turned on him IN
stantly.
"As I say, dear boy, why not" he
inquired suavely, and Almeric wilted
Immediately.
"Just as you say, governor" he an.
swered meekly.
Enchanting. Bravaw cried the
countess. and Hawcastle again turned
to the palpitating Horace.
my son is all impatience," he muir
INJURED fixing the young man with his
eye.
"Quite so. quite SOP answered Al
meric dazedly, and his father went on:
Shall we dispose Of the necessary
little details at once-the various NH
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"
Then we'll 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. III
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
-Etheps man Of business, that Is
| from Kokomo, Ind, where our govern
or llved-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.
ch?" he inquired. seemingly taken
aback.
81 really can't say" replied Horace
| apologeticalfy. Never saw him that
,,-now Of. You see. we've been on this
lille 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"
| Hum said Hawcastle doubtfully.
Would he consent to your sisters
| marriage-or the matter Of settle.
mentW
Horace laughed cheerfully.
"I have no doubt of It. II he has
IN. slightest sense Of duty toward my
sister he'll be the first to welcome the
alllance, wont her
Then when he and my solicitor come
they can have an evening together over
a lot of musty papers. and the thing
will be done. Again. my boy. Wei
come you to our family. God bless
your
He wrung Horace's hand again and
turned away as II to hide bis emotion
but really to wink at the countess.
I'm overpowered, you know-real
ly overpowered, you know" stammercd
Horace, tanning himself desperately
with his hat
"Come, Almeric," said the earl. and
rs the youthful heir to his house arose
Ianguidly he sidled close to the count.
ess and whispered In her ear:
"Let him know it's hundred ana
6fty thousand
hn