Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-05-11
A FRUSTRATED
ALLIANCE

his dress clothes, and his lace wore
an expression Of as much dissatisfac-
ton as he ever permitted to appear
there. When be had brushed his hair
and settled his white tie he took up a
letter from his father, the cause OF
his distress, and re-read it slowly.
My dear Richard" wrote the fourth
viscount from his home at Stockton,
England. you have now been six
months in America and have not sue
ceeded in your quest Of a bride who
shall restore the much depleted fam
fly income 70 it's pristine size before
we had radical ministries in power
and doles for the laboring classes at
the expense OF the landed gentry. Nor
have you displayed any evidence that
you are likely 10 succeed in such an
attempt in the near future. And
meanwhile the sands Of my patience
are running out. and, what will dis
concert you more, ] fear, the allow
ance that / am making you must
shortly come TO an end.
Il have, therefore, Richard, picked
out a bride for you. She is Miss May
Jerrold, the daughter Of the Pittsburg
millionaire, who owns a magnificent
house in Fifth avenue New York. The
family have recently been visiting
England. where / met them. l have
entered into a tentative contract with
the mother, and you will do your best
20 bring about an engagement now
that they have returned to America.
You will be warmly welcomed, and
there IS little doubt that, If you are
not lost TO all sense Of duty. Double
with Manor will see a new bride next
year"
Upon the table lay a second mis-
sive, an engraved card, announcing
that Mr.. and Mrs. Jerrold requested
the pleasure of Lord Jocelyn's COM
pany TO dinner that evening.
Lord Jocelyn had paid one visit TO
the Jerrold's and it had not pleasant
~ impressed the young Englishman.
He had found May Jerrold a plain
featured. rather worldly girl, and the
father a nonentity. socially speaking,
ruled by the mother, a pompous per-
sonage. who. in language hardly veil
ed, had suggested that the exchange
of the title for the Jerrold wealth
would be In the best interests of both
families. AS 70 the wealth, there was
no doubt OF rs existence. Though he
had recently been implicated in some
rather speculative transactions in
Wall street, Jerrold pere was reputed
by conservative judges to worth fifty
millions.
hot halv for
st." Lord JoCelyn sighed. ''I've got
TO get spliced. Tonight | shall warm
up 10 the Jerrold girl. and soon, after
a decent interyal-two weeks, say
shall ask her to be my bride"
He struggled into his Overcoat and
passed out OF his apartment and down
the stairs. A crawling taxicab doomed
up out Of the mist. Lord Jocelyn en-
tered, and some twelve minutes later
emerged at the threshold OF the Jer
rolG home.
The guests were for the most par
already assem- ed in the drawing
room when he entered. Mrs. JerrolC
came forward 10 meet him with az
fected enthusiasm. and after he has
shaken hands with her daughter, in
troduced him TO some Of those near
est.
Prince Won Mitfohlen. want yol
20 meet Lord Jocelyn," she said.
The prince, a tall, slender youni
man OF military bearing. bowed stin
ly and looked az JOcelyn curiously
"A real prince, Lord Jocelyn," whis
pered Mrs. Jerrold with evident sell
satisfaction. Hes in the Almanac
de Gotha.' Lord Joselyn-Mr. Henri
Dcane"
The latter was the antithesis OF tn
prince: a short, round, jovial Amer
can Of [ g successful business type
who grasped Jocelyn's hand warmly
A few more introductions were effect
ed, and then the servant announce
dinner.
You are TO take my daughter dowr
Lord Jocelyn." said Mrs. JerrOld. an
May Jerrold put her small glove
hand upon his arm and accompanie
him down the stairs. The DRAWN
room was at the top OF the secon
flight; ut the top of the first was
large conservatory, the entTanc
guarded by two antique sets of armoi
each posed, lance in hand, as thong
TO warn all persons away who ha
not serious business within. On tn
ground door was the dining room, lay
ishly decorated with pictures OF a
shapes and sizes. most Of which Dor
the names Of old masters and ha
been skillfully copied for the Amer
can purchaser in Brussels.
The dinner passed of quietly, IN
attention Of the guests being concer
trated rather on the viands than upo
one another On the other side G
Jocelyn's companion sat Prince Mi
fohlen, and noticing that be SCENE
10 devote much Of his conversation I
Miss Jerrold. and that she listene
with more enthusiasm than she di
played toward himself, Jocelyn fe
disconnected; he seemed 10 read
secret understanding in their word
and gestures. When the ladies' d
parted, the consciousness that he ha
in no wise pressed his suit or eve
created friendly relations was 4
sSssSsd hX the princes evident s..