Catoctin clarion., 1921-08-11
\ Lord Alwyn's
Bride
-------- ~
By MURIEL. BLAIR.



acquaintance began at the captains
table OH the first day; on the second,
since the Intermediate passengers
We're all seasick, Lord Alwyn took the
chair next to the opera singer; there
after they appeared to be inseparable.
They had not much to say On that
evening, for the realization Of his love
for the beautiful singer had come to
the Englislnnan quite suddenly. and
when 1t was too late to withdraw.
You know love your" he began,
as they walked slowly under the
stars. "Yes. there was never any pre-
tense between us. And our love should
naturally end in marriage. WE'LL
am already married!
Let me tell you briefly the story Of
my life he said. "When l was ten
years younger quarreled with my IA
ther. My elder brother was alive
then; l. had no hope or thought of sue
ceeding to the title. was Sent TO
Colorado to ranch. | was twenty
three. impressionable. hopeless for the
future, and very lonely. Old Aaron
Hopper, the ranchman who had under
taken my education In return for tf
teen hundred dollars. had daughter,
mere slip Of girl, good, sweet, pret-
ty, and charming but hopelessly H.
llterate. To this day the sound of n
concertina sets my heart beating. When
l heard you sing My Old Kentucky
Home at the charity meetins-that
was the first time we met. do you re-
member?--the remembrance OF those
days come back to me as fresh and
keen as ever. Well. we We're engaged.
We were wildly In love. In Il boy and
girl fashion. And we were to be mar
rled.
"The day before our marriage re-
ceived a letter from England. My ia
ther and brother were dead; both had
been killed instantly in train wreck.
| was heir to the title and the family
estates and fortune. In my elation
told Eva.
II shall never forget the scene that
occurred. How she refused to marry
me at first. Finally ! overcame her
opposition and were, married the next
morning, and Eva cried all through the
ceremony.
THAT night, when l came home
Aaron stood at the door, waving a
letter. frantic with rage and humilia-
ton. Eva had run away. | don't know
what became of her. Detectives failed
to find her. Old Aaron died cursing
her and asking my forgiveness for
having ruined my life"
"You did not want a divorce?" asked
the woman softly.
"NO. How could I? ! knew that
the brave little spirit that had given
itself into my keeping was mine al
ways; that ! was morally responsible
for her; If ever she appeared l should
have taken her home and asked no
questions"
He ceased and the woman withdrew
her hand and placed 1t on Lord AL
wyn's shoulder.
"Stop. dearw she said. Nov look
at me. ! want to ask you a question
Do you love her as much as you love
me?"
Lord Alwyn lnughed rather bitterly
~ don't love her at ALL" he said
"And how much love you you know
But. my dear because ! do not love
her feel my duty the more strongly.
So am going to try to find her-and
so"
Goodbye" she whispered, and raised
her lips to his. Then she was gone
and he was alone in the starlight and
with his sorrow,
Lord Afwyn spent three days In
New York, He called on his detec-
tive agency, hut they had learned
nothing, Then he took the train for
Colorado.
1t was not until he reached the
ranch that he came upon signs OF
cultivation.
Alwyn drew rein at the door, hitched
his horse to the old post. and knocked
A woman opened 1t. 1t was Eva.
dressed as ranchers daughter. a
rake over her shoulder. her hands
dusty with hay. but Eva matured-No.
1t was not Eva. 1t was Alice Pasquale! |!
Lord Alwyn staggered against the
door and his hands, cropping feebly.
found hers, and held them.
"Do you know me now. dearest"
she whispered. "Have you found her
again, this Eva. this ignorant grl?"
"Alice!" he said, chokingly. ut is
you? You are Eva?"
She placed her arms round his neck
and drew his head down to her breast
"You couldn't have known, dearest"
she whispered. at was cruel of me to
try you so long. How could you have
recognized the ignorant farmers girl
In Alice Pasluale. the singer, the Ital-
ian nobleman's adopted daughter? But
! have waited for you so long. my
dear! .
"When left you that day 1t was
with the resolve to claim you when
I had become worthy, of your love. ]
suffered In New York, three years un-
til had acquired an education at
night; then woman engaged me as
her companion to go abroad. She be-
lleVed IN my powers as! SlhSeT. size
had me taught by the best masters;
then Count PasGuale adopted me-and
you know the rest. And every year
| have come back us Alice Pasquale
I bought the ranch again. come here
during haying time-heeause / knew
some dny you would come back"
Newer to leave you, dear" he an
swered. "Thfs Is our honeymoon at
last"
SIeep,Is Hard TO- Make Up.