Connecticut western news., 1921-06-02

his fathers son would not aggravatt' the wrong his father had done her. and asked only for her kindness, her worldly old, heart was touched. Hence. forth he was, "Son Esmond" to her, and when her influence at court had procured him an ensign's commission. she was proud of him in his laced scarlet coat.
 Esmond served with some distinc- tion under Marlborough abroad and was wounded at Blenheim, but the best thing his campaigning brought him was a chance encounter in St. Gudule's church at Brussels with Father Holt, the tutor of his boyhoo6, who told him his mothers story. She had been of that very town, and a most tender, faithful creature. His father had deserted her, married her secretly, andsagatp deserted her, ane she had taken her-broken heart to that convent. Esrnondr knelt by her grave, took a flower from the little hillock, and as he listened Ito the choir chant ing from the chapel, realized afresh that love and humility were all that counted ih life.
 ], One great happiness had come to Esmond before this-he had seen his dear lady, her face sweet and sad in her widow's hood in Winchester ca thedral and when their eyes hnd met, the time of estrangement was passed. il Knowing now how her heart had fol- lowed hffnA he dreamed that they might be happy together, bnt esheeaw more, clearly. When, in1 ,tfisir house fst waieotte, BeAtrix. tfit fB-year<old maid of honor with aA scarlet ribbon upon the whitest neck In the world, came to meet him, he forgot her mother. No other woman of her day twas like her for beauty and wit, and for ten yeQrs he was her slave, kneel- Ing with hs heart In his hand for the young lady to take, while she looked far higher than the nameless and fortuneless, colonel. '"Yes,' she said, f'T solemnly VOW I want a good hus- 2 band. My face is my fortune. Who'll comet Buyi Buy!" While marquises and lords were coming, eager for her, Esmond bore the torments of hope less passion, and his dear mistress suffered with him.
 At last suitor worthy of the prize appeared-the Duke of Hamilton much Beatrix's senior, wealthy, and second to none in the kingdom. Els mond had to accept his fate. The wedding gift he made her was the 1 splendid string of diamonds his fauI- CTS widow had given him. AS she sc- cepted it with a cry of delight, her bridegroom-elect, with a darkening face, told her he did not choose the Duchess of Hamilton should accept presents from gentlemen who had no right to the names they bore. Her mother, to whom the old dowager on her death-bed had malicIously told Harry's story, answered for her Harry Esmond is his fathers lawful son and true heir. We are the re. cipients of his bounty, and he is the head of house as old as your grace's own" And Beatrix, from whom 1t had all been Kept secret, whispered to him, "Why did not I know you be foreW
 On the eve of marriage the duke died in duel. Beatrix mourned him honestly, but Esmond dared hope fol himself, and planned a bold move tC 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 exlled cheyalier. The two came to gether to, Lady Castlewoods London house, the prince impersonating the viscount, fana 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 Beatrix's friends began to fear,ffor her, as the prince, who had no respect for women was infatuated with her and she listened to, him. Against her will they sent hero tCastlewood. Suddenly the Queen was reported dying, and the prince cdatd not be founds Beatri1 had found means to tell him her where abouts. HknFy> >Esmond and Frank rode all night 0 Castlewood Entering by the secret Window, they found tht prince and ptold him they came tC avenge thefr dlshonor. Taking iron their old hfdIng-place the papers prov Ing his birth and title, Esmond burnt them before the prince, with tho words: 'T draw my sword and break 1t, and rehodnce you. Had you com pleted the wrong you designed us, would have driven 1t through youl heart.w Prank, breaking his owr sword, ech8ed him: q go with my cousin. Tin for ,the Elector of Han over. It's your MaJesty's fault. You flight have! been king If you hadn't came dangling after TrlxIr ."' J The talk Was scarce over when Bea
 trIx enteref the room. She turned pale at the Sight of her kinsmen, ant