Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-09-30

But There Was COM
p3nS24lCu
By F. A. mitchell


ahght and was met by another old
man On the terrace. There was a
striking likeness between the two, who
embraced with great emotion.
Edmond Stanhope, earl of Cumber-
wald, the host, and his brother. the
Hon. Charles Stanhope had not met
for many years. The earrs wife from
the date OF her marriage set herself to
break up his relations with the mem
bers Of his family and with her own.
One by one through her connivance
they had become esranged from him.
The last one the lady drove away was
his brother, Charles, whom he loved
and who loved him better than all the
world.
And now, Lady CumberwaId having
passed away, and the earl having lost
his children save a younger daughter
being alone, had sent for his brother
There were No differences to make up.
Charles understanding that his broth
er's wife had come between them and
that Edgar had simply been unable to
Withstand her. Charles asked no rea-
son for his brothers having ignored
him for so many years, and Edmond
gave none. There was a tacit under
standing between them.
When Charles had been with his
brother several days Edmond sat down
with him to consult as to what should
become OF the title after his death
EdmOnd's daughter, the only one Of
his children still living, had married a
Canadian against her fathers wishes.
and he had never seen her since. She
had one son, Richard Darlington. now
youngster Of eighteen. Charles had
a son, who had gravitated to the Unit
ed States. and this son, Hugh Stan
hope, had married and begotten a
daughter, Gladys.
By q dispensation Of Providence Dick
and Gladys of the third generation of
the family Of Stanhope and Caring
ton met at an American university
composed of a mans and a womans
college. There are many CarriDgtons
and a gOodly number of Stanhopes in
America, and there was no reason for
either to suppose that there was kin
ship between them. Besides, it is cues
tiOnable if either knew anything about
their prOgenitors beyond their parents
and relatives of their own generation.
But to return to the old gentleman
In England. There was some question
as to who would inherit the Cumber-
wald title and estates at the earTs
death. Gladys Stanhope was the heir
IN the direct female line, while Dick
Darlington was the heir in the indirect
male line. There would arise at the
earPs death other claimants whom he
wished to ignore, After a conference
the brothers decided that it was desir-
able to unite the title and estates by
a marriage between Dick Darlington
and Gladys Stanhope.
Within week after the conference
between the brothers an agent was dis
patched to America to find young Mr..
Darlington and Miss Gladys StanhOpe
and convey to each the intentions Of
their gTandfathers.
One morning there was a commo-
ton at Meredith hall, the name by
which the wOmen's college was known
where Gladys StanhOpe was being edu-
Gated. The night before half a dozen
young ladies, contrary to the college
rules, had left their dOrmitOries. met as
many students of the parent instftu-
ton. Hart university. and gone for
straw ride without a chaperOn even Of
the same material as the cushions Of
the wagon. One Of these girls. Gladys
Stanhope, had not escaped the vigilant
eye Of a college duenna. who had fol-
lowed her just in time to see the wag-
on drive away The dueuna had re-
manned on watch till 2 o'clock in the
morning, when she had seen Miss Stan
hope return under the escort of q young
man who had climbed a watersDOut
let down rope and assisted her to
mount He had then descended and
made tracks across the campus.
Gladys Stanb0pe was called before
the dean of the college, upon whose
brow sat a thundercIoud. Being inter
rOgated as to where she had been the
night before. she confessed that she
had been on a straw ride composed Of
half a dozen students Of the mems col
lege and as many Of the wOmen's col
Iege. They had not stopped anywhere
for supper, but after enjoying them
selves innocentIE had returned to their
rooms.
The next question propounded to
Miss StanhCpe was the names Of the
other five girls who had been engaged ]
In this scandaIous 1nfractton of college
regulations. These Gladys refused to
disclose. After intimatfng that if she
continued in her refusal she would
surely be expelled from college and
her good name furnished for life the
dean ordered her to her room to think
the matter over.
The outcome Of the straw ride was
at once communicated to the mere men
Of the party, and a meeting was called
In the room Of one Of their number to
deliberate as to what should be done
to help the girls out Of the scrape.
Dick Darlington. who was one Of them.
was selected to make # known to the
dean Of Meredith hail that every one
Of the men who had taken part in the /
ride would sign an affidavit that there /
had been not the slightest IMPROPERLY /
Ia the escapade; that the party had
come together simply for the purpose /
Of a moonlight ride and had separated /
after the rice, each to go to his or her
own quarters
It was expected that 3Lr. Darlington I
would take this preliminary step with +
out making himself known. Instead, F
he called upon the dean and gave her
the message in person. He further ad- +
uitted that ne had helped Miss Stan
hope tc mount TO her room after the
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