Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 54, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 March 1902 — IRENE’S VOW [ARTICLE]

IRENE’S VOW

CHAPTER Vll.—(Continued.) Early the next morning they started for Italy. “Florence Is the most brilliant and gay of all the Italian cities just nt present," •aid Sir Hulbert; “we will go there." This time he went ton hotel; thcrewas no time for taking a house, and it seemed to him that, for a change, hotel life would be pleasant. They went to the Hotel San Marco, where several English people of rank and fortune were staying. Sir Hulbert Tobked down the list of visitorc' names then entered his—Mr*, and Mr*. Leigh; Irene smiled as she read it. “Suppose," she said, “there are people here who know you; they will wonder Why you call yourself Mr. Leigh." “I shall not tell them, he answered. “There are no personal friends of mine on the list. It seems to be a very nice hotel; we shall be most comfortable here, I think.” A magnificent suite of apartments was •Hotted to Mr. and Mrs. Leigh with their servants. “Shall we join the table d'hote?" asked Sir Hulbert T of-bi* fair young wife. “It will be more cheerful, but not so (lignified." i “I like it best,” she replied. One week' passed happily enough; they drove round the beautiful environs of fair Florence; they visited the picture galleries, the palaces, the gardens and one evening, when dinner was over, and they were sitting on the broad terrace that overlooked the Arno, a party of English people arrived—Lord nnd Lady Glendayer, with their, three tall, gaunt daughters. The whole party cnine upon the terrace, and before Sir Hulbert had time even to look around, Lord Glendayer came up to him. .Everyone was looking at them, ot ho would not, perhaps, have acted just as he did. “How do you do. Sir Hulbert?" said my lord, in his loud, cheery voice. “I did not anticipate the pleasure of seeing you here." The handsome face grew dark with annoyance and pale with passion. "I beg your pardon," he said, quickly, “I have not hnd the honor of knowing you.’’ I«ord Glendayer smiled. ao completely forgotten. Let me remind you. Sir Hulbert, I met you at an annual dinner at the Freemasons* Hall." He was interrupted. "You are altogether mistaken,” said the baronet. "I am Mr. Leigh.” : "Nay. I cannot surely be mistaken," •aid Lord Glendayer. “We sat talking for halt an hour about the income tax. I cannot be mistaken." "Then if you are not mistaken. I do not know my own name," said Sir Hulbert, haughtily. "1 hope to be believed when I insist thavl am Mr. Leigh." Lord Glendayer bowed and retired; the conversation had lieen quite public, but did not excite much comment. "Mistaken Identity," people said, as firry smiled at each other, "and really sqme of those good English do resemble edch other so much.” , , "Didhe really know you, Hulbert?" •aid Irene, "just as he said he did?" “Yes, I am afraid so, my darling," he replied. "Why did you not tell, him the truth?” •he naked. "1 could not. I must have introduced you.” "And why not. rather than offend an old friend?" she asked. "He is net an old friend; and no one knows, sweet, better than you, that I ..cannot introduce you.as my wife at present." - * That seemed plausible enough.' but Irene was going up the grand staircase • lone that evening when Miss Glendayer, • lady of strong character and rather passee appearance, passed her by. Irene •topperl to make room for her. and some little courtesies passed between them. Suddenly, from the broad corridor. Lady Glendayer. tall, awful and solemn. a»peared. “Matilda," she said, "to whom are you talking?" “Dear mamma, to Mrs. Leigh." she replied. “I do not know such a person." said tty lady, "and in a hotel of this kind you cannot I* too carefqj. 1 want you at once.” Miss Glendayer looked into the blushing face of the beautiful girl. “There is some mistake," she cried; “mamma cannot possibly know that it is yon." "There is no mistake," cried my lady. “Your papa may have made one- they •re not in my way; I have not made another." "I am very sorry." said Miss Glendayer. as she hastened, away, leaving Irene indignant and amazed. At once •he went to Sir Hulbert and told him what had happened. He would not let her sec how greatly he was nugcred. “Take no notice of it. darling," he Mid; "it is some foolish mistake. In my hum*ble opinion the bnlf of the people in the* world uro mad—that old lady could not have been Mne." And shortly thereafter they returned to their native land. CHAPTER VIII. “1 must be near London," said Sir Hulbert, vheu the question of win re they should live came to lx* settled. "You will be happier if we are where we will see each Other often." He never forgot the eyes of distress ’•"that she raised to his face, “Shall we not always be together as we are here?" she asked. “No; that would be quite impossible, Irene. I have • great house- palace, I might call it—pf my own in Mayfair, but do not llw there. It is called E*tmere Thniv- An old lady, distantly, related to me, takes care of it for me. I seldom go near it When I aiu in town 1 prefer hotel ar dub life." She laid her folded hands on his shoul“But why," she asked, “why must we wot be together, Hulbert Y' “My dear child, you cannot be with tn<* He paused, and she added: “Until oar marriage is made knowa?"

By CHARLOTTE M. BRAEME.

"Exactly so,” he replied, with a careIcssmod. “If I had known that,” she said, in a passion of tears, “I would never have come to England.” "You wj|l. be very happy, sweet. There ig a grand old house at Kew to let. The Countess of Borland used to live there. The lawn slopes down to the very bank of the river, and the nightingales sing in the trees. It i,s beautifully furnished. I thought of taking it so that I can often run down there. 1 could spend quite half of Cvery week with you and take you out occasionally." “But, Hulbert,” she pleaded, “ujiy could we not go to your house in London nnd live there?" “If we did that. I must introduce you to the world as my wife; and at present, you know, that cannot be,” She looked at him wistfully. "When will it be, Hulbert? I—l cannot go home to Branslea until that is done. I cannot tell how it is. but I seent to have lost half the pleasure I used to have in calling myself Lady Irene Est.mere.” She tried to smile as she spoke; but her lips quivered and her hands trembled. He turned away with a careless smile, a light laugh that-jarred upon her. "You are impatient, Irene. I have always told you how uncertain the time was. Can you not make yourself happy with me?” He bent down to kiss her; and all tho passion and love in her heart surged over her now. She had no more objections, no more hesitation; -she would live just where “he wished Iter, and do all that he desired. Beechgrove was taken, with all its luxurious appointments—furniture, decoration and ha ngings- - a home fit for a. du chess. For the first time Irene felt ah home. One evening Sir Hulbert suddenly became dissatisfied with the quality of his cigar. L„... "There is but one thing in the world that I am fastidious over," he cried, “and that is my cigars, Irene. There is a ease in my pocket, the pocket of the coat hanging up in the hall: -will.you.look for it? I have not patience for these things. There are no rosebuds this time, I can certify.” She went at once to do his bidding. True, there was no vestige of a rosebud, but there was something worse. Out oT the pocket of the overcoat fell a pair of lemon-tinted gloves, and a delicate ivory tablet that had been used by some lady at a ball. Without thinking, she hastily read it over, and the name of Sir Hulbert was repeated over and over again. This, then, was the reason why he could not take her to the theater the evening previous; he had been at a ball with someone else. She did not stop —poor child, to consider or to think; she forgot all about the eigars, her beautiful face flushed holly. ■* She went back to him at once, and laid the pretty tablet before him. "Now I understand why you would not take me out," she said. "Your engagement was a ball. You would not tell me where. Doubtless it wqs with the lady to whom this belonged—is it so?" A shadow of pride, anger, and defiance passed over his face; then a careless, half-scornful smile crossed his lips. "It was so. You area’ight in both surmises. What then’jffL. -- .—i "What then?” she repeated. "How cruel, how heartless, how unkind.” "I do not see it. Irene, my position i in the world obliges-nie to fulfill obligations. What folly to quarrel over it." “Does'your social position oblige you to go to balls? while you leave me here alone, and treasure even such a trifle as ! this?" she asked, angrily. . "I see a namf jon it. What is it?—‘Lady Lira Gerant.’ Hulbert, who is Lady Lint Gerant?" The dark face Hushed, and an angry light Hamed in his eyes. "If Lady Gerant be nothing to you,” she said; "why have you kept this? You must have kept it fur her sake.’’ "I can safely aver I did no such thing, Irene. I did not even know it was in my pocket. I danced with the lady last evening, it is true; as you can see for yourself. 1 wrote my name on her tablet. I can only imagine that she left it in my hands, and I put it away with what is much more precious to me—my own cigar case. If you were less jealous, Irene, I could trust you more. If 1 had told you last night that I was going to a ball there would have been a scene, as you know; you would have been jealous, and I should not have liked that. If you were reasonable, and I could speak to you without fear, I- should tell you everything." "I am not jealous." she said, “but it | seems to me 1 have a right to know i where you go and what you do. Hulbert, • who is Lady—what is the name?'' —she took up the tablet again and re-read it—i " 'Lady Lira Gerant.' Who is she, Hulbert ?" He laughed Fifrelessly. | "Some people consider her the most | beautiful woman in England. Irene, I Ido not. I think you hold that place of honor." "But who is she?" asked Irene. "I do not want to know what, but who is she?" "She is the daughter of one of the most powerful earls Earl Gerant. a man second to none," he replied, earnestly. "He is'the greatest power in the State." "1 have read about him,” she said, thotiglimdly. "Youth ive asked me who Lady Lira is; I can tell you in very few words. The Counter of Gerant died n few years since, and Lady Lira, who was then bijt seventeen years old. took the entire command of'her father's household. She is just twenty. She is a«x*ounl«sl by many the loveliest woman in England; she holds one of the highest "positions in tlieland; she is a wealthy heiress, nn I she is. Im?•ides, the very queen of fashion." Tender arms stole round his neck, mi l sweet lips were laid lightly on his own. “Still,” said n low. sweet voice, “still for all that. I would not change places with her,. Hulbert." “Why Mot, my dearest?" l;e naked. “Because you do not lore her. and yoj do love me," she answered, and those simple words touched him far more than he would bare liked to own; his face grew

pale Under them, he winced like a man who had received a sudden shot in the fnce. "So, for all her her wealth, her brilliant position, and her honored name. I do not envy.the Lady Lira Gerant," continued the girl. “The only woman on earth 1 should— ever- envy would be the woman you loved —that is, if ever you did or eould love anyone but me.” July, with its warmth and fragrance, passed; August came. It had been understood between them that Irene should not leave Beechgrove. " "Walk-or drive as much ns you will in this neighborhood,” Sir Hulbert had said, “but never go to town.” She had faithfully complied with his wish; but during the first? week in Aucamo his birthday, and she wanted, to purchase a handsome ring for him. She planned in her own mind how she would always make him wear it. It was not fair, she thought, that married man should not wear some token of his bondage. She had often debated the subject with Sir Hulbert, and her own opinion was that-a married man was quite as strictly bound to wear a wedding ring as a married lady. So, op his •birthday, she would present him with one, and she would ask him to wear it always, just as she wore the plain circlet of gold he had placed upon her finger. Once in town, she thought it no harm to drive around. She had no intention of watching her husband, she preferred not meeting him. She wished to keep her present as a surprise, and if she met him she would have to give some evasive an- ■ swer when he asked whtft she was doing there. As ill luck, or fortune, or fate, would have it, as she was driving through Hyde Park, she saw him; he was seated by the side of a lady, and he was so deeply engrossed in conversation with her that he never even raised his eyes as Irene pass'd by. She knew that expression on his dark, handsome face. It was one of deep and rapt attention —she knew the look In the dark, eloquent eyes—it "'as one of profound admiration, she had seen them with that same look linger on her face. It was but a fleeting look on his face, her glance lingered long on the lovely lady at his side—a dark-browed woman with a mouth like a rosebud — dark, proud eyes—a high-bred patrician face—a proud, graceful, elegant lady, superbly dressed, young, beautiful, and evidently not indifferent to Sir Hulbert. It was not so much jealousy that gave her so keen a sense of pain, that her face blanched and her hands trembled, not so much jealousy as a sudden, subtle sense of the fact that her world and his Jay far apart; that his interests, his friendships, his likings, and everything connected with him, were entirely separated from hers, that had always been one of unity, of harmony, two lives in one, not of divided interests and separate worlds. "I might as well not bo married,” she said to herself, “for I live .outside my husband's life.” Another thn;?. when she was in town on business which she did not wish him to know, she saw him riding by the side of the same Ipdy. They were going toward the par;;, and a sharp twinge of jealousy added to her pain; there was no concealing tho fact that the expression on Sir Hulbert's face was one of profound admiration. Tlun a fatal idea entered her head; it was *hat the next time Sir Hulbert went to town she would follow him. and watch for herself what kind of a life he led there, and ho v he passed his time. When Tie left "Becrtfgi'OVe at three the next afternooj. she followed him by the four o'clock train; as he rode into town and *he wen.: by train, she was there first. Instinct rather than knowledge mady her g<> tothe club, he told her I.e spent lac greater part of his time. She had wrapped herself up so securely That jhe was sure, even if he passed her, that ae would not know her. Everyone knows Estmere House, the lovely and magnificent mansion facing Hyde Park; one Lt The finest htmsea-in London. It is dore like a palace than the dwelling plan#' of a subject. On this August evening while the silver moon hid her face behiyd the clouds, and the sweet night wind told its secret to the trees, one might have seen a tall, slender figure, draped in Hack, near the gates of the mausiotttthe-figure of a woman evidently wah.'hing. but she was fortunate, so far as tjiis. that no one noticed her. Every tim* the grand iron gates opened she pasted near enough to see and hear. Her patient waiting seemed to be rewarded when she saw the tall figure of a gentleman in evening dress. A closed carriage drove up to the porch with its long, broad flight of marble steps, and she overheard the order given to the coachman: "Court place.” Jlow, who lived at Court place and what was it? The only plan that suggested itself to he* was to hasten to the nearest cab Btfpd, and tell one of the drivers to take he.’ to Court place. She did so. and the first man to whom she S]>oke. said: "I do nr.l know Court place, miss." Up came another, quite eagerly. “I kpow it, miss.” he said; “it is St. James’ Pjrk. I.ord Gerant's mansion. I know it, miss.” "Lord Cerant's!'' The words were like a revelation, to her. She remembered now t,hat a few days since, while reading the fashionable intelligence to Sir Hulbert, the came across the following Hem; “The Earl Gerant still remains nt his mansion In St. James' Park, where his otlicial duties detain him.” She hnd asked at the time what these oflieial duties were, and Sir Hulbert had told her. She thought of this as she drove to the house where Sir Hulbert had gone. There the * cabman asked a fare that might have ’ astonished one more versed in the ways of the world. She paid it, and would have paid it if it-had been gold Instead of silver. She saw before her a mansion little less magnificent than that of Sir Hulbert's. There were lights in the windows, carriages driving to and from i the door. Unexpectedly the grand hall door was opened, and she saw brilliant lights, servants in livery, every sign of I wealth, luxury and magnificence. What I was Sir Hulbert doing there? She stood watching patiently, and again her patience was rewarded. A closed carriage* with a pair of fine horses dnre up t«* the door, and in a few/minntes Sir Hulbert appeared, leading by the hand the same beautiful lady she had seen him with before —a lady brilliant as the summer s«n nt noonday—diamonds flawing in her hair, X-r eyes bright as stars. (To be continued-)