Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1921-09-22
Lord Rensley's
Bride
By FREDERICK CLARKE
.. 1874. western Newspaper Union. }

an absence of a year. He had shot
tigers In India, had speared salmon
in Alaska, and hunted grizzlies In the
wilds of western Canada And all
the while Lady Rensley had kept open
house at the Abbey. Now he was ex-
pected home; he would arrive In two
weeks. Actually he arrived week
earlier and unexpectedly.
They had been married nearly three
years before Lady Rensley had been
Miss Edith Kane of Cleveland, and
her father was one of the II rich
est men in America. The marriage
lad been considered singularly for
tunate, for the Rensley family
dated back 500 years--though not the
title, and his lands were extensive, al
though Improbable. Miss Kane's
dowry would restore the old abbey and
enable her husband and herself to as
sumo their rightful place in the social
hierarchy. And so Rensley had won
the beauty of Cleveland.
He and his bride were face to face
in their apartments at the Eversley
MOTEL. The bride drew off her en-
gagement ring meditatively and hand
ed it to him and said, without a
trace of passion:
Il shall wear my marriage ring, but
not this. The bargain Is an equal one,
and / am satisfied. You will never
have cause to be ashamed Of me In
the eyes Of the world. Good night,
Lord Rensley."
"You mean" he asked, that our
marriage is to be- one In name onlyT
"Why, what else did you expectT
she answered mockingly, though her
lips were quivering. "You never loved
me. You sought me for my fortune,
as you for your title" And SO she
turned away and they said no more.
In due course they sailed for Eng
land. Rensley Abbey was redecorated
and thrown open. Gay parties assem-
bled there.
Then Rensley sailed for India to
shoot tigers, and the parties continued.
They were as gay as ever, but differ
ent people came. There was Rizzi, for
instance, that Italian nobleman who
had acquired sinister reputation in
several capitals of Europe, and was
not diminishing In London. He brought
his attendant crowd: Flashy women
came and sporting men and tawdry
actors and actresses. And of the char
acter of these people Lady Rensley
knew nothing, for she never stopped
to gossip, and she only knew that she
liked Rizzi and that he alone of all
of them seemed to understand her
situation and to have sympathy for
her.
So she moved among them, limo
Gently, the lonely mistress of the
Abbey, while people shrugged their
shoulders and smiled. And then they
heard that Rensley was coming home.
Rizzl, too, heard it, and he put his
fate to the touch. In his way he
liked this unapproachable American
lady as much as he was capable of
liking, and as constantly. They were
alone for few minutes in the con.
servatory. From the ballroom came
the sound of music and the chatter of
the guests.
He fell upon his knees and seized
her hand and pressed II to his lips. II
have ever loved you, you beauty with
your secret sorrow. Leave him and
come with me to Italy. You shall
have my love all your days, and my
fortune shall be at your disposal. You
shall"
That was the moment when Rens-
ley returned week earlier than had
been expected. He had sent word, but
he had arrived before his own letter.
So he had strolled quietly In.
He saw the rooms brilliantly light
ed, but, when he entered the hall, none
OF the guests knew him.
Then Rensley entered the conserva-
tory alone. And Lady Rensley, seeing
him, drew back with a frightened
catch Of the breath. and Rizzi, know
ing him, rose also to his feet and stood
hooking at him defiantly, with folded
arms.
Pardon me for interrupting," said
Lord Rensley. Baron Rizzi? Yes7
Pray, what is 1t you so urgently de-
sire of Lady Rensley that you go down
upon your knees to herr"
Since he did not answer, Rensley
turned to his wife.
my dear, Is 1t In our power, or is
1t your desire to grant this gentleman
what he is asking?" he demanded.
NO" she flashed out in her bewil-
derment. mo"
Rensley took Rizzi by the arm.
MY dear fellow, you shall have
your ave hundred pounds" he said in
loud voice, which carried to those
waiting outside. But / wish You had
asked me instead of my wife" He
turned to the guests. Gentlemen, my
cars are at your disposal" he said.
Lady Rensley tapped her fingers
upon the table.
81 want to tell you one thing before
we part" she said. II have never
given you reason to be ashamed of
me. have kept my VOW"
Lord Rensley took her hands in
his.
But have not kept mine" he said.
Edith, let my faith in you be the
proof Of my love. WIN you give me
chance to show its reality?"
That broke her pride; she cried then,
In his arms.
I've been fool" he said; but she
laughed through her tears when he
put back the engagement ring upon
her finger.