The Washington herald., 1919-08-28

creature. His father had deserted
her, married her secretly. and again
deserted her, and she had taken her
broken heart to that convent. Es-
mond knelt by her grave, took a
flower from the little hillock. and as
he listened to the choir chanting
from the chapel, realized afresh that
love and humility were all that count
ed in life.
One great happiness mad como 70
Esmond before this-he had seen his
dear lady, her face sweet and sad
in her widows hood, in Winchester
Cathedral and when their eyes haG
met. the time Of estrangement was
passed. Knowing now how her
heart had followed him. he dreamed
that they might be happy together,
but she saw more clearly. Wien.
in their house at Walcotte. BeatriX,
the 1s-year old maid of honor. with
a scarlet ribbon upon the whitest
neck in the world. came to meet
him, he forgot her mother. No
other woman Of her day was like
her for beauty and wit. and for ten
years he was her slave, kneeling
with his heart in his hand 70: the
young lady to take, while she look
ed far higher than the nameless and
fortuneless colonel. Yes" she SAID.
II solemnly vow want good
husband. My face is my fortune.
who'll come? Buy Buy" While
marquises and lords Were coming.
eager for her, Esmond Dor. the tor
ments of hopeless passion, and his
dear mistress suffered with MN.
At last n suitor worthy of the
prize appeered-tha Duke Of Hamil-
tOn-much H1atTiX's senior, wealthy
and second t. none in the Kingdom.
Edmond had |" accept his fate. The
wedding Eift he made her was the
splendid string OF diamonds his
fathers widow had given him. As
she accepted il with q cry Of de-
light. her bridegroom elect. with a
darkening face. told her he did not
choose the Duchess of Hamilton
should accept presents from gentle
mon who had no right to the names
they bore. Her mother. to whom
the old dOWag"r on her death bed
had maliCiOusiy told Farry's story.
answered for her: Henry Esmond
is his fathers lawful son and true
'heir. We are the recipients of mis-
bounty, and he Is the head of a
house as old as your grace's own "
-NAiA ~ a ~ ~ IL Olli W NOM IL ldO all
been kept n secret, whispered -
him, Why did not I know you be-
fore?"
On the eve Of marriage the duke
died In a duel. BeatiiA mournel MIN
honestly. but Esmond cared hope for
himself. and planned bold move to
win her love. All the Esmonds were
heart and soul for the Stuart cause.
Frank. the young viscount. who was
fighting abroad, closely reSembled the
eXiled chevalier. The two came to-
gether to Lady Castlewood's London
house, the prince impersonating the
viscount and Frank. his valet, and
were received with great Joy. Stuart
partisans came to the house by
stealth. and the plot spread like
leaven. The maid of honor contrived
an interview between the prince and
Queen Anne, his sister, whose health
was failing, and all hoped that she
would proclaim him her successor.
Then Beauix's friends began to fear
for her, as the prince, who had no
respect for women. was infatuated
with her and she listened to him.
Against her will they sent her to
Castlewood. Suddenly the Queen was
reported dying. and the prince could
not be found. Beatrix had found
means to tell him her whereabouts.
Henry Esmond and Frank rode all
night to Castlewood. Entering by the
secret window. they found the prince
and told him they came to ayenge
their dishonor. Taking from their old
hiding-place the papers proving his
birth and title, Esmond burnt them
before the prince. with the words;
"I draw my sword and break it. and
renounce you. Had you completed the
wrong you designed us, I would have
driven 1t through your heart" Frank.
breaking his own sword, echoed him: