Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-08-18
CHAPTER xxx.

| StsNG III /N/\/Ns
, Not only had Diana's scream OF ter
ror brought some of the ladies to thu
room, but the earl himself, who hal
just come down stairs, hobbled in
Lorrie had not heard.
Great Heavens" exclaimed Lad,
Farnham. whats the matter?"
: Diana chung to her painting. "1host
two-they will kill each other!' she
cried.
, Lady Farnham would have ad
vanced toward them, but the earl pu
his hand upon her arm, and firmly
held her back.
GUY" he said, in voice of stern
command. Guy flung Seymour from
him, then stood with folded arms
breathing hard.
What does this mean?" demanded
the earl. rs it possible that a son
of mine should brawl like a common
tapster in lady's house?"
Forgive me, Lady Farnham!" Guy
said
Seymour stood pulling at his collar,
which Guy had torn apart His face
was livid. ut means this coward has
insulted my sister. It means that.
having played the eavesdropper last
night, he comes to take advantage of
what he overheard and calmly pro-
poses to desert her"
lis it true, Guy?' said Lady Farm
ham.
L Withdraw from my engagement
with Miss Melford," he said gravely.
Diana rose. "And | with Lord Ken
dale, she said 81 would not marry
MIN II he were still the heir of Lat
cham, instead of being what he is
beggar!"
"A beggar!" echoed Seymour. Lord
Latcham, You looked to us to save
you from the ruin impending owe.
have this thought to console us, that
we had lost our money, that my father
and l were ruined! It is true. But we
nave tehis thought to console us, that
in our downfall we shall drag YOU
with us. Come on, Diana!" and he
turned toward the door.
"One moment he said 'the engage
ment between my son and your sister
IS over. You referred to that which we
heard last might. You tell me that !
and my house are ruined So let it be-
VIII you let me tell you that in an
hour from now my lawyers shall have
instructions to sell the whole of my
property, and that every penny OF
which we may prove to be possessed
shall go toward paying the debt we
owe you!"
/ Seymour laughed maliciously.
You will only anticipate Us, my
lord,' he said. scornfully; sell your
self up, or leave It to us to sell you
It's all the same"
The earl bowed with great dignity
| Come, DIANA said Seymour
harshly. "this is no place for you o.
Ice, or Lor1fe. Go and tell her to gel
ready. We will go to the Pines
"Mr. Melford,' said Lady Farnham
"let bygones be bygones! You know
whether Lorrie would marry you will
; ingly or not; you know what hold yol
| have on her, whatever it may be, LEI
it so. Release her, and-let us par
friends!"
, Seymour laughed scornfully. IN,
dear Lady Farnham, gave you credi
for keener intuition. Give UP Miss
| Latimer! Never! I understand quite
WE'LL" he went on; Il am to resign
her that Lord Kendale may resume
t his engagement with her. No! l re
fuse!"
; AS he spoke the door opened ant
Lorrie entered. ALI ignorant of tn,
5 painful scene, she stared at the grou]
, in establishment. Then her glanc
f fixed itself upon Seymour. Be
/ fore she could speak the earl took he
: hand. my DEAR he said, 1--WE wer
speaking Of you"
E "Of me?"
d Yes, this morning my son AM
Miss Melford have withdrawn from
" the engagement between them"
4 Lorrie started and looked at Diana
e They are no longer betrothed
i My child, will you tell us all whethe
: it is your wish that your engagement
c / to Mr.. Melford should continue?"
| Seymour opened his lips, but tn
iearl held up his hand. wait, sir"
); A solemn silence had fallen upol
d the group. Seymours harsh voic
Y broke the silence,