Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 15, Number 38, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 14 March 1885 — Page 2

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THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

TEhRE HAUTE, MARCH 14 I8t5

{Oommonced in The Mail Dec 6tb. Back 'iffr numbers

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be had on application at pab-

Ueatlou office or of news agents.]

Wyllard's Weird.

BY MISS M. E. BRADDON.

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author of "Lady Audley's Secret," "Aurora Floyd," "Tne Outcast," Ac.*, Ac. -^j

'1 CHAPTER XVIII.'

THB GENERAL RECEIVES A SUMMONS.

While Bothwell was working out the scheme of an industrious, unpretentious life, to be spent with the woman he loved on that wild Cornish coast on which he had been reared, and which was to him as a passion. Lady Valeria Harborough was shining in the county and military society within twenty miles of Plymouth, admired, envied, to outward seeming the most fortuuate of women. She went every where, she received every ene worth receiving. She bad brought something of the easy manners, the unceremonious gayety of Simla to ber Dev •nsbire villa. Her afternoon parties were the gayest in the neighborhood. Her weekly musical evenings were the rage. She engaged the best professional talent obtainable for these evening*. She rigidly/ eschewed the amateur element. She selected music and songs with an extraordinary tact, aud contrived that no hackneyed composition should ever be heard at her parties. The newest ballads, the last successes in modern classical music were first reveal ed to the neighborhood at Harborougb Villa. There people heard the gavotte that was going to be fashionable, the song that was t» be the rage next year and on these evenings when the flowery corridors, the long suit of rooms, were tilled with grand pianos and magnificent organ, was thrown open to tbe crowd, Lady Valeria circulated amidst the throng, gpcioua, graceful, smiling, a queen among women, not so beautiful as tbe fairest of ber guests, but by far tho most attractive of them all. There was a subtile charm in those dreamy eyes, and in that languid smile. Beardless su hoi terns worshiped ber as if she had been a goddess aud many a man, who could hardly have been iucluded in Lady Valeria's list of "nice boys," lelt bis heart beat faster as she liugered by his side for a few minutes. Sue bad a smile and a word for every one who crossed ber threshold tbe most signiticant guest was greeted and remem bered. She seemed a woman who lived only Jt for society, wbo bad fulfilled her mission when she had been admired. The general was proud of his young wife's success, delighted that bis house should be known as the pleasantest in tbe

Country. He could afford that money should be spent as if it were water. He never complained of the expeuses of bis establishment, but be knew tbe cost of everytbirg, and paid all accounts with his own checks. Unluckily for Lady

Valeria, old habits of strict accountancy, acquired in tbe days when be was adjutaut of bis regiment, had clung to him. He liked accounts, and was in some measure his own house steward. There was no possibility of Lady Valeria ^.gambling debts being paid out of tbe ^domestic funds. Everything was done on a Targe scale, aud by line and rule.

A royal household could not have been managed morerigidly. TbuBit was that Lady Valeria's money difflculties were real difficulties, and it

WHS

only by a

full confession of her folly that she could have obtained her husband's help. It was just this confession, this humiliation, to which Ladv Valeria could not bring herself. Candor was tbe very feeblest of her instincts. She bad not been brought up in the school of truth. Her father was a tyrant, her mother a dealer in expedients, a diplomatist, a marvel of tact and cleverness, able to achieve wonders in a domestic managemeut, in social policy. But life at Lostwitbiel Castle had been a constant strain and duplicity bad become an instinct with mother and children. There had been always something to bide frcin the earle—a son's debts, a daughters illrtation, a milliner's bill, a debt of honor. Valeria had bad been oppressed with gambling debts before she was twenty. She bad played deep and borrowed money in her first season. Site had married, hoping that General Harborough's wealth would be hers to spend as she pleased but in this she has been disappointed. She bad married the most generous of men, but she had married man of business. He made a maguificent settlement before marriage ne made a will after marriage, leaving tbe b\iIk of his fortune to bis young wife, to be hers, aud in her own control, if there were no children—here without any embargo as to a secoud marriage. She bad pin-money that would have been a liberal allowance for a countess but she had not the handling of her husband's income. She could not have cheated him out of a five pound note. He had told her In the beginuing of their life that it would be so. He was a man of business, and she was too young to be troubled with the sordid detafls ol domestic life. "Order what you like, love. Make our home as beautiful as you can. 1 will pay your bills, and take care that you are not cheated by your trademen."

At the outset Ladv Valeria bad accepted this arrangement as altogether de llghtful but there came a time when she fouud tnat It had its inconveniences.

To-night, in the balmly September weather, tbe windows of tbe villa were all open to tbe sky and tbe garden—open to the music of the distant sea, and Lady Valeria was sitting in tbe veranda where a week ago she bad biddeu farewell to Botbwell nth a uie. It

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some man

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is always a chance so long as a man can keep bis head above the water, and Sir George might still have a future before

Ito

bitn. Although be was supposed to bive sp«at hi* last fartbing and mortgaged bis lost acre, he always contrived get money when he wanted it.and be had contrived to lend mwuey to Lady Valeria. "Why should I not wear peacocks' feathers T' Lady Valeria asked, languidly.

Her profile was turned to him, her eyes were looking towards tbe line of moonlight on tbe sea, the white walls of barracks and stoiebouses.' She did not take the trouble to turn ber face to her companion as *he spoke to bim. Pale, languid, dreamy, she seemed the very image of indiffereuce. "Because they are considered so' casting about for a mild expression— "confoundedly unlucky. I remember tbe morning of ihe Oaks, tbe year my Cherry ripe shut up like a telescope half a furlong from the winning post, my Bister Grace drove up to Hatcbetta to meet tbe drag. I was to drive her and a lot of em to Epsom, don't you know, with an infernal pork-pie bat made out of a peacock's breast. 'What did you wear that damn thing for?' I asked. •Because it's tbe fashion,' says she. Shouldn't wonder if my mare lost th« race on account of your damn fashion,' says I. Grace chatted me for my super stition but the mare made a most unaccountable uiess of hernelf, don't you kno

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and tbe devil himself or that pea­

cock feather hat must have been at the bottom ol it." "I doo't think the peacocks'feathers wilt make any difference to aie,' replied Valeria, wearily. "I have been unlucky all my life." "Well fate has been rather hard npon you," said Sir George, drawing bis chair a little nearer to hers, gazing at the delicate profile with a more ardent look than watt quite within the lines of friendship and good-fellowship. "A beautiful young woman married to a uian old enough to be her grandfather carried off tt» broil away her existence in Bengal, when she ought to have been one of tbe queenB of lxjndon society—stinted to a bare allowance of piu-uiouey, hardly enough to pay ber dressmaker, by Jove, when she ought to have had the command of her husbands purse. Why not cut tbe whole bu-iness, Valeria, and go to ihe south of France with me directly after the Newmarket week? 1 stand to win a pot of money, aud we can speud it merrily at Monaco. I know how to make plenty more wheu that's gone. And, by-and-by, wheu tbe general goes off the hooks, we can mane things fair aud square with the world, or before, if you prefer it. Tho thing can be so easily managed. Look at your couwiu, Lady Canoandra, aud the colouel—and tbe duke and his countess—change of partners all round."

He tried to encircle tbe slim waist with his strong arm—the aru» of a mau who bad won cups,at Little Bridge in days gone by—but hhe snatched herself from him with a disdainful laugh, rose from her chair aud walked to the other end of the veiauda, be following her, sorely disconcerted. He had been watching lor his opportunity, and he faucied the opportunity bad come. He had neither creed tior principles, of bio own, and he believed that people who pre tended to be better than himself were all hypocrites. Like Dumas' hero, be was ready to admit that there might be good womeu in the world, only he had never happened to meet with one.

He bad made himself useful to Lady Valeria—bad told her what horses to back, aud bad helped ber to win a good deal of money since ber, return to England. Her losses had been the result of ber own Inspirations, anil when she had so lost be had found ber tbe money to settle with the bookmen. Aud having done all this, and having devoted all his leisure to the cultivation of Lady Valeria sacquaiutance, be deemed that tbe time was ripe for him to ask ber to run away with him. He bad ruu away with so many women in the course of tbe last twenty years that bis manner of proposing the thing had become almost a formula. He modified his appeal according to tbe adored one—bad ais first, second and tbirdnlass supplications but it was not in his nature to be poetical. Had be been making love to an empress he could not have risen to any loftier height thau that which he had reached tonight.

Lady Valeria turned at the end of the veranda and faced bim deliberately in the bright, cold moonlight, a white and ghostlike figure, with pale face and flashing eyes. She measured bim from head to foot with a look of intense scorn gazed at him steadily, with eyes that seemed to read all tbe secrets of bis evil life, and then, slowly unfurling ber peacock fan, she broke into a silvery laugh, long and clear, and sweet, bnt with a ring of contemptuousness in its every note. •'You are mistaken, Sir Georges," she said, quietly, moving towards the open window of the corridor, as if to return to the house. "Your almost infallible rnent is at fault. I am not that

ludg kind ind of person."

nearly mid­

night, and tbe crowd was concentrated in tbe music room, where Herr Stalrnann was playing a new Sauterelle on hie violoncello. The moon was shining over the sec yonder, gleaming upon tbe long, white line of breakwater, and the distant view of Plymonth looked even more Italian than in the davtirne. Lady Valeria wore a long, flowing gowa of an alm'tst Grecian simplicity, a gown of death white cashmere, bordered with a marvelous embroidery of peacocks* feathers which fell in a slanting line from shoulder to hem, the bright coloring flashing in the moonlight, as tbe wearer slowly fanned herself with a large peacock feather fan. "Are you not afraid to wear so many peacocks' feathers T" asked a gentleman bo was sitting at her elbow, a fcandof about forty, a man who dress certain erne and authority, which Indicated good birth aud tbe habits of good society.

was not altogether good style in or manner, but wbo bad a certalt

This was Sir George Mildmay, a personage in the racing world, bat reputed to have been utterly broken for the last bree yearn. In tbe racing world there

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She would havb passed him and gone into tbe house, but be put himself between her and tbe open window. He barred her away with all the bulk of his baudsoine, overdressed person. Tbat ringing laughter, the insolent sparkle iu ber magnificent eyes, goaded hiui to madness. Sir George had a diabolical temper and the insensate vanity of a successful roue. That any one woman could really despise him was beyond his power of belief, but a woman wbo pretended to despise bim put li9rself beyond tbe pale of bis courtesy.

4,No,"

be muttered, savagely. "You

are not tbat kind of person. You are not tbat kind of person for me, because for the last three years you have been tbat kind of person for somebody else. I thought you must have been tired of Botbwell Grahame by this time and that I should have bad my chances."

In a breath, as if from the stroke of a Cyclops* hammer, George Mildmay had measured bis length upon tbe tesselated pavement under tbe veranda It was an old man's arm tbat felled him, but an athlete of five and twenty could not have struck abetter blow.

General Harborough bad stolen into the gardens to smoke a solitary cigar, while Herr Stal man played bis Santerelle, and, coming quietly round tbe bouse, be had 'approached the veranda just in time to near Sir George's last speech. He had not hesitated a minute as to the manner of bis answer. "Go to your guests, Valeria," be said with quiet command I will see to this blackguard."

Valeria obeyed half mechanically. The shock of those last few moments had made thought impossible. He# mind seemed to have suddenly beoomea blank. She went through tbe brilliant rooms, wondering at tbe lights and flowers and smartly dressed people, seeing everything vaguely, with a puzzled doubtfulness as to ber own identity. She talked and laughed with mors tun usual animation for tbe rest of the evening. Sbe had a friendly smile and a pleasaut word for each departing guest. She enchanted the artists by her appreciation of their work yet sbe bad no more conadowuMM of what she said or to whom

TERRE HAUTE SATURDAY EVENING MAIL.

she spoke than a condemned criminal might have on tbe eve of bis execution. it was nearly two o'clock when she went to her own rooms—those spacious roomx, with' their windows looking three different ways, ever hill and valley, town and sea—rooms beautified by all art and wealth can compass in the way of luxury—rooms in which she bad sat bour after hour, day after day, brooding treason, caring more for one look from Bothwell's dark eyes than for all tbat glory of sea and land, for all the luxuries with which an adoring- husband bad surrounded her.

Sbe bad seen the general moving about among his guest at the last. She bad beard the strong, cherry tones of bis voice as be parted with some particular friend and now sbe wondered if she would find him in ber morningroom, where on such a night as this they had been wont to spend half an hour in light, careless talk, after tbe people were gone, be sitting out on tbe balcony, perhaps, smoking a final cigar.

Yes, be was there before her, sitting on a sofa in a meditative attitude, with bis elbow on biB knee, far from the lamp, with its low, spreading sbade, a lamp which shed a brilliant light upon Lady Valeria's own particular writing table, and left all tbe rest of tbe room in Bb&dow*

Then, at tbe sight of tbat familiar figure, the bent bead, the honored gray hairs—all tbe horror of the scene in tbe veranda flashed back upon her. The uuutterable insult of Sir George's speech —such insult as might have been flung at tbe lowest woman in Loudon, speech shaped just as it might have been shaped forsucbaone. Tbat sbe, Lady Valeria Harborougb, should have such dirt cast iu ber face, and tbat tbe man who bad so spoken could live to tell other men what be had said—to boast of himself at the olubs.

Would to God that blow had killed bim," she said to herself, and then sbe went over and knelt at ber husband's feet, and took bis strong band in hers, and kissed it. "God bless you for defending me," sbe said. I am not a good woman—I am not worthy of you—but I am not such a wretch as that man's words would make me. You will believe that —won't you, Walter?" "Yes, my dear, I believe that. I cannot think you a false wife, Vileria, though you may be an unloving one. 1 have thought for along time that the sweet words and sweeter smiles which have made the light of my life uug^t mean very little, after all—might mean just tbe daily sacrifice which a young wife makes to au old husband, aud no more. Yet I have contrived to be happy, Valeria, iu spite of all such doubts and now this man's foul taunt comes like a blast from a Polar sea, and freezes my blood. What did it mean, Valeria? I thought Both well Grabame was my friend. I have been almost as fond of him as if be were my son." "He is your friend, Walter yes, your true and loyal friend, more loyal thau 1 have been as vour wife." •Wbat disloyalty have you practiced towards me?" he demanded, graspiug ber ty tbe shoulders, lookiug into those frightened eyes of hers with his honest ana steady gaze, the loos of a man who would read all secrets in her face, even the worst. "What has there ever been between you and Botbwell which could involve disloyalty to me? Don't lie to me, Valeria! There must have been some meaning in tbat man's speech. He would not have dared to so have spoken if he had not bad some knowledge. What has Both well been to you?" "He loved me—" faltered tbe pale lips. "And you returned his love

She only bung ber bead ror answer, the beautiful head on the slim aud graceful tfiroat, circled with that string of pearls which bad been her husbands last birthday gift. 'You returned his love and yon encouraged bim to come to your husband's house, to be your chosen companion at all times ana seasons, tbe 'nice boy' of whom you spoke so ligbtly as to disarm suspicion. By beaven 1 I would as soon have suspected your footman as Bothwell Grabame 'He was never more to me than a friend. I knew how to respect myself," she auswered, with a touch of sulienness. 'You know how to respect yourself, and you spent half your days in the society of a lover.

IB

that your idea of

self-respect? It is not mine. You respected yourself and you were careful of your own interests so far as to refrain from need of an elopement when tbe sands must run down in tbe hour-glass, and the old husband would be gone, leaving you a rich widow, free to marry tbe man of your heart. No need to defy the world, to outrage society, wheu everything would work round naturally to give you your own way. Oh, Valeria, it is bard for a man* to have bis eyes opened after years of happy blindness. I was better off as your dupe tbau I am as your confessor."

He laughed bitterly, a contemptuous laugh, at tbe thought of his own follj. To think that he bad believed it possible this woman could love bim this lovely, spirited creature, all light aud flame—to suppose tbat such a woman could be happy as an old man's darling, tbat the worship of declining years, tbe steady glow of affection, constant, profound, but passionless. No, for such a soul as this tbe fiery element was a necessity. Love without passion was love without poetry.

Well, tbe dream was over. He could believe that this proud woman bad not dishonored him, tbat she could stand up before tbe world stainless, a perfect wife. But be felt not tbe less that tbe dream of bis declining years was over tbat sbe could never more be to bim as sbe bad been, the sweet companion of bis leisure, tbe trusted partner of his life. Tbat was all over and done with. He was not going to Bcold her, or to torture ber, or to thrust her from bim. To what end Tbe golf would be wide enough, living side by side. He would pay ber all honor before the world to tbe end of bis days. To live with ber, and to be kind to ber, knowing that ber heart belonged to another, should be bis sacrifice, his penance for having tied tbat young sapling to his withered trunk. '*1 nave noticed tbat Grahame has kept aloof from as of late," he said, after along silence. "Why is that?" "We agreed that it was better we should see no more or each other," his wife answered quietly.

Sart

1

"I hope yon will always remain in tbat agreement," said the general. He sat till daybreak, ana be oecuplea

of bis time in writing the rough raft of a codicil to bis wiu, which btl meant to take to his London aolicitors at the earliest opportunity.

Tbe codicil lessened Lady Valeria's fortune considerably, and allotted forty thousand pounds to a fund, tbe interest of which was to be distributed in the form of pensions to twenty widows of field officers wbo had died in impoverished circumstances. This subtraction would still leave an estate which would make Lady Valeria Harborough a very rich widow, and a splendid prise in tbe matrimonial market, "Sbe will marry Both well Grabame and forget the days of her slavery," thought tbe general, aa be wrote the

closing paragraph of the codicil. It was from no malignant feeling against his wife tbat he made this change in tbe disposition of bis wealth. He felt tbat tbe act was mere justice. To the wife wbom be bad believed wholly true be bequeathed all. To the woman who bad been only half loval he left half. A mean man would have fettered bis bequest by the prohibition of a second marriage, but General Harborough was not that kind of man.

He wondered., bet her Sir George Miidmay would take any action in the matter of tbat blow. He had -assisted tbe fallen man to a chair in the veranda, and bad taken bim a tumbler of brandy which Sir George drank as if it had been water. In his half stunned condition the baronet bad sworn an oath or two, and bad walked off muttering curses, which might mean threats of speedy vengeance. 4 "If be is the scoundrel I think bim, be will send me a summons, in order to drag my wife's uameintotbe business,' thought General Harborougb, nor was he mistaken, for the summons was served within two days of the assault. It was delivered at tbe villa in Che general's absence. He bad started for Bath by the early train that morning, au order to attend tbe funeral of an old friend and brother officer upon the following day. He had an idea of going on from Bath to London, to see his solicitors, and to execute tbe codicil which was to lessen Lady Valeria's expectations.

At the station he met Botbwell Grahatre, who was on bis way to Dawlish. There bad been a reserve in tbe young man's manner of late which had puzzled tbe general. He bad heeu inclined to put down the change to a determination in Grahame character, a gradual going to the bad, for be had an instinctive prejudice against a soldier who woqld voluutariiy abandon bis profession. It was bad enough for a man to bo chucked out of active service in the prime of life, iu accordanoe with new-fangled rules and regulations but that a young man Bbould abandon soldiering for any other career seemed to General Harborougb at once inexplicable and discreditable.. "Bothweli Grahame is gettie a regular bang-dog look," thought tbe general, "aud am not surprised at it. He has thrown away splendid opportunitlas and is leading an idle, good for nothing life."

And now tbe general knew tbe meaning of tbat hang-dog look, that reserved mauner which had struck him as tbe outward sigu of an inward deterioration in tbe mau he uad loved as a son. He could understand what agonies of shame aud remorse Bothweli must have felt when their band touched, what self contempt was expressed iu that cloudy brow and furtive glance.

What, then, was bis surprise this morning to pee Botbwell approach bim with a beaming countenance, holdiug out the baud of friendship. "My dear general, I am so glad to see you. It is suco an age since we met," he exclaimed in cheeriest tones.

Yes, there was the old ring in his voice, theold heartiness which had made Botbwell so different from tbe race ol languid foplingsc— ihe haw-haw tribe. "Yes, it is some time #ince we met." answered the general, coldly "but I dare say you and my wife have seen each other pretty frequently during that time. You are the kind of a man our neighbors call '1'ami de la maison.' We English have a less honorable name for tbe species. We call them tame cats."

Bothweli reddened, and then grew pale. Never before had those kindly eyes of the old general ooked at him as they looked to-day. Never before bad the general addressed bim in a tone which sounded likp deliberate insult. "I have been proud to be Lady Valeria's gwest," be paid quietly, his heart beating furiously tbe while, "and have never considered myself degraded by any attention I was able to show to her. I hope Lady Valeria is well." "She is very well. How long is it since you were at the villa "Nearly a fortnight." "So long?" "I have been very much occupied," said Botbwell, divining that something had occurred to execute the general's suspicions, and that it behooved him to speak frankly of his new hopes. "I bave been working a good deal harder than I bave worked since I passed my last examination. But we are just going to start. May I get into the same carriage with you "If you like," said tbe general, which hardly sounded encouraging but Botbwell, who was virtuously traveling tbird-class got into a first-class compartment with the general.

And, pray, what new trade are yon working at?'' asked the old man, fixing Bothweli with tbe clear, keen gaze of honest gray eyes, eyes which had almost tbe brightness of youth.

Botbwell explained his new plans, tbe general listening with polite attentention, but with none of tbe old friendliness, that cheery kindness which bad so often been to Bothweli as a whip of scorpions, torturing him with the sense of his own meanness.

And pray what might be tbe motive of this industrious spirit?" asked ?,be general, "what has inspired this idea of a useful life?" "A very old fashioned and hackneyed motive, general. I am engaged to be married, and have to think of how I can best provide a home for my wife." "Indeed Is the engagement of long standing?" "Not at all. I have been engaged within the last fortnight, but I have known and admired the lady for along time."

Ueneneral Harborough looked at bim searcbingly. Was this a lie—ready lie invented on tbe spur of the moment to dispel suspicion Bothweli bad doubtless perceived tbe al'eration in bis old friend's feelings toward bim, and be might consider this notion of an engagement tbe readiest way of throwing dust in a husband's ees. "Do I know the yoong lady he asked, quietly. "1 tbinn not. 8he has not been much away from her home, but ber brother is a well-known personage in Plymouth. Tbe lady is Hilda Heatbcote, sister of Mr. Heatbcote, the corcner for Cornwall. "Indeed II have heard of Mr. Heatbcote. So yon are going to marry Mies Heatbcote—rather a good match, I suppose." *'I have never considered it from a worldly point of view. Miss Heatbcote is a most lovable girl, and bas all tbe charms and accomplishments wbich tbe most exacting lover oould desire in bis betrothed. I am infinitely proud of having won ber."

He met the general's eyes, and tbe

bim no longer Valeria tbat passion was extinct, dead «s the flames of Dido's funeral pvre. The man who sat face to face with General Hai borough to-day was a happy lover, and radiant with the light of a pare and authorized love. "When are yon going to be married •eked tbe general, after a longtsb pause "As soon as I can set my boose in order and indues Hilda to name the day," answered Bothweli, frankly. "My

dear girl has to be submissive to her brothers will in this matter, and he is now in Paris. Nothing c&n be fiually settled till he comes back. I am stealing a march upon bim to-day to see tbe lady—who bas been sent to Dawlisb to be out of the way." "Ob, she is at Dawlish, is she?" "Yes, sbe is staying there with her nieces and their governess. I am going to consult ber about our bouse." "Our house I" What pride there was in the utterance. Tbe general's doubts weregradually melting away. He could not believe tbat a man who was so obviously in love with bis betrothed oould have ever cared much for. Valera. To have loved ber, and to bave exchanged her love for that of any other woman living seemed to tbe general an impossibility. He began to think tbat his wife haa exaggerated the situation the other night in the overwrought state of her nerves, stung to madness by Mildmay's insolent speech, excited by ber husband's retaliation. He began to think tbat there had been only the mildest flirtation between Botnweli and his wife—the ordinary up-country sentimentality, meaningless puerile.

He tried to comfort himself with this view of the case. His natural kindness of heart prompted him to help Botbwell if he could. He wanted to respect the wife he loved, to think well of the man who had saved his life. "My dear Botbwell," be said, "you bave come to a crisis in life which most men find as oostly as it is delightful. If by auy change you happen to be what our young people call 'Bbort,' I hope you will allow me to be your banker." "You are too good," faltered Bothwell, strongly moved. "You have always been too good to me—ever so much belter than I deserved. No, I am wonderfully well off. My cousin has advanced me a sum of money which she wishes me to take as a gift, but which I intend to treat as a loan." "That is generally a distinction without a difference—when the the transaction is between relations," said the general smiling. "Ob, but in this I hope the loan will be repaid, for tbe repayment will binge upon my prosperity. I have opened a banking account at Bodmin, and feel myself a moneyed man."

Geueral Harborough encouraged Bothweli to talk of his sweetheart and his prospects all the way to Dawlish, and then when the train stopped at ihe little station beside the Bea, Bothweli and Lis old friend shook hands cordially, and Bothweli felt that be coula cla*p that honest bpnd without a pang of con-xcieui-e. Little did be think tbat it was the last time that hand would rest in bis. "Let me know the date of your wedding," cried thQ general, as tbe train moved off, aud BoLbwell went in high spirits to look for the temple, in the shape of a pretty little bouse lu a garden by tbe sea, wbich ensbriued his goddess Fortune seemed to be showering ber giitB upon hitn with a bounteous band. Nothing et uld have been more propitious tban this meeting with General Harborougb, who bad promised all the help his influence could afford to the "army coach."

The geueral went on to biB destination. The gay white city of Rath had no attraction for him upon this particular afternoon. He called on the widow of his old friend aud comforted ber as much as it was possible for anyone to comfort ber in ber great sorrow. He dined alone and sadly at bis hotel, and as he sat aud pondered on the events of tbe last week, he began to speculate, how much or how little grief bis widow would feel when her day of mourning came. Would her eyelids be pufly aud red as poor .wrs. Thornton's had been this afternoon when he was talking to ber? Would her swollen lips quiver and ber distorted features twitch convulsively Would her whole frume be shaken with sobs when she talked of the departed? He could not imagine Lady Valeria with puffy eyelids or swollen lips. Her pictured her mourning gracefully, clad in softest white draperies, reclining in a darkened room, in an atmosphere perfumed with tuberrose and stepbanotis. He pictured ber with a sphinx like countenance, calm, beautiful, an expression wbich might mean deepest grief or stony indiffereuce, as the world chose to construe it.

No, honestly, after considering the question from every possible point of view, General Harborough did ndt believe tbat bis wife would grieve for bim. "It will be a relief to her when I am

fone,"

he said to himself. "How could expect her to griuve as Thornton's wife grieves? Those two weie bov and girl together, bad been husband and wife for thirty years."

His dinner bad been only a pretense of dining, a mockery which bad made the bead-waiter, quite uuhappy. Notb ing so distresses a good waiter as a guest wbo won't eat. Tbe waitei would bave been still more troubled in mind bad he known this fine-looking old man, with the erect figure and broad shoulders, had eaten hardly anything for the la»t three days. The general had been suffering all tbat time from a fever of tbe brain which bad brought about a feverish condition of tbe body. He could neither eat nor sleep. He lay broad awake in tbe unfamiliar rdom at the hotel, starting at tbe blank white blinds, faintlv illuminated by tbe lamps fortbe street below—he lay and thought over his wedded life, which enrolled itself before bim in a series of pictures, and be saw tbe bitter truth underlying hi* marriage with Lord Lostwithiel's daughter.

He bad been nothing but a convenience to Valeria, the provider of fine bouses and fine gowns, horses and carriages. Sbe had not even cared for bim as friend and protector. Sbe had lived her own life, pajing him for all benefit with sweet, false words, and sweeter, falser kisses.

And now tbe spell was broken, tbe dream had coine to an end all at cnce. He could never believe in the sweet words and kisses again. He bad looked into tbe heart of this woman be bad loved so well, and he knew tbat it was false to tbe core.

Tbe next day was wild and stormyrain and wind, wind and rain—a gray sky, heavy pail of cloud though wbich tbe sun pierced not once iff tbe long bleak day one of those days which nature keeps in stock for the funerals of our friends.

General Harborough stood in tbe dreary cemetery and let tbe wind and rain beat upon him unflinchingly for about forty mintes. He paid every tribute of respect tbat could be paid to bis old comrade and then he weut off to railway station to go back to Piymootb by tbe train which left Bath at five o'clock and would arrive in Plymouth a little before eleven. He had given up tbe idea of going on to London to execute tbe codicil" Tbat could be done at Plymouth if need were. He felt tired and ill and fhlvery. He thought be bad taken a chill in tbe cemetery, and tbat the best thing he oould do waa to go home.

He bad a bad night, disturbed by a abort, bard oongb, which was worse

next morning. Lady Valeria sent far tbe doctor, who pronounced tbe indisposition au attack of bronchitis. The patient was very feverish and the utmost care was needed. Happily, the valet was a good nur«e, and Lady Valeria seemed devoted. She sat by her husband's bedside sbe read to him, and ministered to him with the tendurest care. "You could not be better off," said the medical man. who was of tbe cheery old school. "We sbxll made you aft right in a day or two,'' knowing perfectly well that the patient was in for a fortnight's close confinement aud sever* regimen.

The general endured his poultices and blisters meekly, but chafed at the hoi room aud hissing steam kettle. "It is worse than being wounded on the field of battle," be said.

And then, half asleep and half delirious, be began t« talk about Sir Georga Mildmay's summons. "Tbe scoundrel wants to make a public 6candal," he muttered "he will brine my wife's name before tbe public. 1 thought by this time you must bav» been tired of Botbwell Grabame," ha said, repeating the words which bad stung him almost to madness.

Valeria knelt by her husband's pillow and laid her bead against it, listening intently to those muttered speeches. Sbe found out tbat Sir George Mildmay bad sent bim a summons to a poliea court, that tbe story of that blovr in tba veranda would be sifted iu a puhlic inquiry, tbat tbe insult offered to the wife, tbe prompt retaliation of the husband^ would be reported in the newspapers, written about, commented upon everywhere. It was just the kind of thing t#

fet

into tbesoeiaty papers and although ady Valeria's teiations had not unfrerious degrees of discredit to themselves and amusement to the general public sbe shrank with an abhorrent feeling from the idea of seeing her own nam* there.

The day name in tbe summons waa a week off and. judging from General Harborough's conditiou.it did not faeeoa likely that he would be in a fit state to answer to tbe summons in person. The idea of it evidently preyed upon his mind and added fuel to the fire of the lever.

Tbe day came, and General Harboronh had obeyed a mightier summons and had gone to appear before the bar of a greater court. Lady Valeria was a widow.

The codicil had not been executed, so Lady Valeria was a very rich widow. [TO BE CONTINUED.]*'. J"

$.***•

A Mean Old Gcaeral Routed. ':'v-

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