The Washington herald., 1919-09-05

ladies would not have tolerated either
Harry or his black servant Gumoo
had not Aunt Bernstein. the BeatriI
Esmond OF Hurry's grandfathers day.
been guest at the house. Although
the baroness is now old and has los,
her beauty she has not lost her money
and because the impoverished Castle
woods are eager to inherit the latter
they dare not oppose her. She Will
have Harry Warrington welcomed to
the home OF his ancestors.
Therefore the young American is
granted a tardy invitation to the fam
lily estate to which his grandfather.
Henry Esmond. although the rightruI
heir. waived all claims before emf
grating to Virginia
Harry is an ingratiating young fell
low and his Aunt Bernstein promptly
falls in love with him. urging him to
20 with her to Tunbrldge Wells, a
fashionable resort wither she is
bound. The shrewd old woman is
insistent in her demand for she
sees that the unsophisticated lad
has already developed a passion for
the Right Honorable Maria Esmond,
my Lord Castlewood's sister. and a
" OIldh lLOlc NhaA w lNC L1oA
age.
The boy himself realizes his mis-
take, but he is an Esmond and a
Virginian, and for such there is no
drawing back.
Madam Bernstein is not so scru-
pulous. however.
Harry Is young. and, as his black
servant shamelessly asserts. royalty
rich.
He can do better for himself and
the family than throw himself away
on a scheming woman who is PEN
niless, and who has none too good
"a reputation. Indeed there is
scarcely one Castlewood whose past
would bear inspection. Even the
.escutcheon of the baroness herself
is dingy and tarnished. She is new
ertheless kind-hearted and dEsincerely
fond OF Harry. and, therefore. with
coach and postillions. and outriders.
and trunks. and servants she bears
him and and his Lady Maria away
with her to Tunbridge Wells.
On the journey Harry is thrown
from his horse and his shoulder be-
ing Injured he carried into the near
est house, which proves to be the
home of Col. Lambert, whose wife
was an old school friend OF Har-
rvs mother. OF course the Lam
berts cannot do enough for the boy
Theo and Hetty, the charming
daughters of the family. are never
tired of waiting on him: and when
he rides away to join his aunt four
days later he has formed a strong
friendship with the Lambert family.
Already the memory of the fair
Maria is a bit dimmed.
All, when he reaches TunbridSe
Wells what a little world OF fashion
and corruption It is! Our Nirginian
has never seen anything of the like
before. Nor does he see II now with
discerning eye. The little painted
dancer whom the Earl OF March has
in his company must surely be as
beautiful as she looks; and the men
of rank with their gaming and
drinking are gentlemen all. in SIM
pie Harry's estimation.
The fame of the Ftrginian has
preceded him.
The tales told OF his wealth have
rolled up until he has become a
veritable prince with gold uncount-
ed, numberless acres of land. slaves
tobacco flelds-diamond mines II you
will. AS Aunt Bernstein has spread
some of these tidings she begs her
nephew not to disgrace her by con-
tradicting them, and therefore what
can he do? There is no choice but tc
live the rich Nirginian; spend mon
ley freely. gamble as does all the
world of fashion. and fheSs things
Harry Esmond Warrington proceeds
to do.
1t is not a dir1cult role to play.