The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-08-19

wen, ana why NOT, lnueeu! aSheu
Horace instantly.
And then" went on Hawcastle.
smiling. "and then it will be. why not
within fortnighty"
"Right-or' cried Horace. ".And why
not within fortnight?"
Almeric sat up and stared at his mo-
bic 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
1t should not be In fortnight"
4 "Oh. here! l say, you know inter
jected Almeric. heaving himself erect
in the chair and waving protesting
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! Bravar' 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 sov' answered AL
meric dazedly. and his father went on:
"Shan 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 counsel ! know! Ger
tainly. Perfectlyr
. Then wen have no difficulty about
!, that. my boy. I'll wire my solicitor
I 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. "Ive a notion that our solicitor
-Etbel's 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
j. heard from friends that he Is coming
: In this direction"
) The word had caught Hawcastle's
attention. and he leaped at IL
!. "A sort Of guardianf What sort.
!. chr he inquired. seemingly taken
, aback.
81 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 been
no occasion for this fellow TO look us
up. but he's never opposed anything
Ethel wrote for. He seems to be m
!. easy going old chap"
Hum said Hawcastie doubtfully
: would be consent to your sister
!, marriage-or the matter Of q settle
mentr'
Horace laughed cheerfulIy.
Il have no doubt Of It. II he ha'
the slightest sense Of duty toward "a
: sister hen be the nrst to welcome u
!. alliance. won't her
. Then when be and my solicitor CON
they can have an evening together ovs
I lot Of musty papers. and the thin
. wfii be done. Again, my boy. we
. come you to our family. God bles
!: y3~
= turned away as II to hide bis emotio'
A but really TO wink at the countess.
I'm ovcrpowered, you know-rea
n ~ overpowered. you know" stammere
Horace. tanning himself desperate
. with his hat.
n "Come, Almeric," said the earl, m
3 as the youthful heir to his house arc.
. languidly he sided close TO the coun
! ess and whispered In her ear:
4 LET him know It's a hundred On
4 fifty thousand"
Then be and Aimeric went up q
i steps into the hotel. leaving Horas
: | and the countess gazing at each oth'
delightedly.
a She crossed over 10 him impulsivel
and, taking both his hands again. san
;. MY friend. I am happy for you"
q think Of itt" said Horace joyousl
~Tn a fortnight at the most dear o.
D. Ethel will be the Hon. Mrs. St ABBY
RI future Countess OF Hawcastler'
e yes" replied the countess, wit
n drawing her hands and picking up b
,e psrssol, "and there Ia but the little a
ransement Of the settlement betwes
n your advocate and Lord Hawcastie'
4 But you Amsricsns-yo laugh at sus
y things You are big. % big. like yo'
country
II Horace followed her across the Il
IL race TO the wall
"Ah, believe me, dear countess"
e. said. -the great world-your worl
y countess = has thoroughly alisnat'
me-
is The countess turned her shape
q. bead and looked al him admiring
q and with a touch Of irony at the 81
prise she was about to give him.
I ~