The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-16


 me why cou chose for wife woman who has just been making love to your son?" How can you ask such ques- tionl owe e40000; there Is an execution at Sizes Hall: every acre I have is in the hands of my creditors. She married me for my coronet and I married her for her money. But why the devil did you marry the stepdaughter? How are you to live?"
 Do you mean to say," cried Algy. starting up. "that Matilda has not an iB- come of ten thousand a year?' The genial old fellow on the sofa laughed pleasantly She has not got a siXpence," he said. She had a fortune of ten thousand year. but she forfeited it by marrying without her stepmothers consent" The Earl calmly took a copy of the will of Sir George out of the document box and read not only the part Lady Griffin had read to Algernon when she trapped him. but the whole of it. The Earl was right: Matilda was a pauper
 Deuceace sank down in a chair. pie ture of despair. He wrthed and gnashed his teeth: he tore open his coat; he waved the stump of his left hand until finally he threw it over his face and wept alou1 My lord meanwhile lit a fresh cigar. When Algy was calmer the Earl con- tnued: T wished to leave you In peace with your four thousand pounds, upon which you might have lived decently and quietly in Germany But she would not have it; she was determined to ruin you, and you see she has. An, you rogue you thought to match your poor old father. did you? But never mind. Lunch con will soon be ready In the mean time have a glass of Burgundy and a | cigar
 Matilda. Matilda" screamed Deucease starting up and the poor crooked thing came in at his call. ''fs 1t true. woman, | that you are pauper for marrying with out your mothers consent, that you have | not a penny, that you basely lied to ma in order to bring about our match, that you are a swindler in conspiracy with | that old fend wonder and that she-devil. | his wife?n
 Tt is true" sobbed the poor woman, that I have nothing, but-you, dearest, have two thousand pounds year. Is
 
 you have told me so thousand times''
 Two thousand,' exclaimed my lord: two thousand, Ha, ha, ha, that is tho best thing I ever heard, upon my word. | Why, my good creature. he has not a 1 penny" How the excellent old gentle man did enjoy the joke Matilda went to a chair and wept in quiet. "Ah, my boy.' went on Lord Crabs, T told you l woul, l nave you when you refused to lend me part of the Dawkins money. and I did-I had you the very next day But never mind, luncheon is ready; shall we go in?" My lord" said Deuceace very humbly, | 'I shall not share your hospitality. But you know my condition. sir: you know the way my wife has been brought up--' ''The Hon. Mrs. Deuceace, sir. replied the earl gravely. shall always find a home here as if nothing had happened to interrupt the friendship between her dear mother and herself" And for me. sir, I hope-I trust-that shall not be forgotten" Forget you? Certainly not" And that you will make some pro- vision?"
 | "Algernon Deuceace," said my lord, get | ing up from the sofa and Joking his son in the face with fendish malisnity. "I declare before heaven that l will never give you penny Hereupon he held out his hand to Matilda and said:. My love, will you join your mother and me? We shall always have a home for you" My lord replied Matilda with a bow, my home is with him.
 About three months after, when the Dc, autumn leaves were on the ground. Lord and Lady Crabs were stroling in the Bois de Boulogne. the carriage which they had left slowly driving on ahead. They were as happy as possible and were admring the golden sunset and the pleasant woods. Lord Crabs was expatiating to his lady upon the beauties of the scene and pour ing forth flood of poetic and virtuous sentiments suitable to the place and hour "Ah," said he black must be the heart my love. which does not feel the influence Of scene like this gathering. as it were from the sunlit skies a portion of the celestial gold"
 Lady Srabs did not speak, but pressed the arm of her lord. Tho carriage drew up and my lord and my lady sauntered toward it. Just at the place where the carriage had stopped was bench, on which sat poorly dressed woman and bv her side. leaning against a tree. stood the Hon. Algernon Percy Deuceace. His coat was shabby. it's seams were white. it's buttons copper. torn hat was on his head: he was unshaven and his hair frowsy and unkempt He was as pale as marble Lord ad he the slightest notice of him or of Ma tilda. As they passed Deuceace got grip upon the shoulder Of Matilda, who was holding down her head and sobbing bitterly. As soon as Lord and Lady Crabs were seated in their carriage vthey burst out into a fit of bosterous and hearty laughter. There was some joke some where which seemed to please them im- mensely. Deuceace turned-his face was the face of a devil. He looked toward the carriage and pointed toward it with the stump of wrist, Then he raised his other hand and struck the woman who had risen and was standing by his side She fell screaming, Poor thing, poor thing
 Next weeks one-page classic will bo Wilhelm Meister,' by Wofgang yon Goethe.