Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-05-26

| gwen All this may be aVerted by
your marrying Mr.. Melford's daugh
ter"
"Or any other unfortunate girl who
happens to have money" said Guy,
| bitterly.
Unfortunate? But, no, it would not
J be the same. With most women
+, their money would not be available 1t
would be settled upon them, and we
should be in the same plight as be.
fore! But Mr.. Melford would. not be
likely to ruin his son-in-law, the hus.
band of his own daughter. or to de.
stroy the house over which she would
reign as Countess of Latcham. You
see now why this particular marriage
would be so dangerous, l trust
| Il see. But it seems to me, sir,
that you have made your calculations
| without taking the principal person in
to consideration. Miss Diana Melfore
might decline the honor of saving the
house of Latcham from ruin; to put it
plainly, she might refuse me-"
Il appreciate your modesty, my dear
Guy, but l do not think you need
fear. Miss Melford is very little diff
ferent to the rest of her sex. 1t is not
probable that she will decline to be-
come the future Confess of Latcham.
Besides do not wish to fiatter you.
but / would remark that you are not
particularly ill-favored, my dear Guy"
mo; l suppose l should fetch a
fair price in the marriage market.
Who bids, ladies, for the Viscount
kendale? Sound in wind and limb,
quiet in harness. Free from vice-or
nearly so-and going, going. going!"
Seeing that it is of you whom l
think that my own remaining years
are likely to be few, and that it can
matter little to me whether l speno
them here or in common lodging at
Bollogne, while you have all your life
before you, think you might have
spared me that insult Guy
Il beg your pardon, sir. 1t slipped
from me-"
Father, l know it is of me YOU
think It is for my happiness you are
planning. But-but suppose l were to
say this--this marriage you contem-
plate would render me awfullv
wretched."
Good Heavens! Why?" demanded
the earl in unbounded amazement.
you yourelf tell me that the girl is
beautiful and ladylike. What more do
you require?"
1T is possible for her to be all this
and more and yet that I shouldn't
want to marry her. Father, could not
love Diana Melford!"
"Why not? Love her! l do not set
up as prophet, but / will prophecy
ON this occasion. 1 say that you could
not help loving her-in time"
My dear father, it is too late
Great Heavens! You do not mean
to tell me that-that you are mar.
ried?"
mo, no." said Guy, quietly.
Il beg your pardon, my dear boy.
ought to have known that you would
not have done such thing. No, no!
beg your pardon!,''
"No, sir, am not married! but-but
hope to be-"
"You hope to be-" he said, slowly.
"You mean to say that you are en-
gaged?"
almost! I hope to get your con.
sent first, SIR
"My dear Guy, / shall be delighted
to give you my consent and my
blessing. l see how it is! My letter
was too late! You had met some
young lady before you had seen Miss
Melford? Well, well! we must do the
best we can! / am afraid she is not
so rich as Miss Melford, but no doubt
the settlements will be heavy; we
may save something from the general
wreck. Who is she, Guy?"
"Her name is Dolores Latimer!"
"Latimer! Latimer: l don't know
the name" said the earl, anxious and
troubled. ''Her father! What is he? A
man who has made his fortune, like
Mr.. Melford?"
"No, he is a gentleman. l fancy
that he might regard the Latchams
as a younger family, sir. He is a
clergyman, sir; the rector of Carshal. .
"A clergyman's daughter? Do you
mean to tell me that you have en-
gagged yourself to girl with no for
tune whatever, Guy?"
81 am afraid Lorrie's fortune is a
very small one! No. sir, fear she has
monet"
my dear boy, this is simply mad
ness! A clergyman's daughter, with
to be susceptible, I ought, perhaps, to
you really taken leave of your
senses?'
Great Heavens! When? When did
this occur?"
"Last night" replied Guy.
after you knew the state in which
we were?"
YES. Father, can you not under.
stand? Do you think a man can con-
troll his heart; that he can keep him.
self from loving? / think you would
understand if it you saw Dolores!"
Spare me, beseech you! Guy, l
always knew that you were not-clev-
er; l never expected you to become a