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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Herald, 1909-09-03, Page 3u you dy • omley re- ef expression. n erribly shocked. Andel t a relation of the facts of the ca - would hardly make her feel differently. She would insist that some one else could do the errand as well. "You do not understand, Lady Row- ley," she said, with a sad sort of gravi- ty. "1 am not seeking him to win him again. I have a duty to fulfill toward him, I must save Lady Gertrude from a terrible mistake. I must go myself. Will you not go with me? If you will go, no one need ever know. It will be thought that I have accompanied you to London. Where is he now? Will he not be at Moreham Hall?" "Yes; but I shall never go with you, Erna. Do not ask it." "I tell you, Lady Romley," said Erna, earnestly, "that my errand is to save the very honor of those two people. I am not what I was. I seek ne one's in- jury; but I do seek their good. You will come?" "No." r. "Then I shall go alone, and there will be a scandal which nothing can avert, Well, let it be so. I shall not fail now, be the cost to me what it may." Lady Romley looked as miserable as a woman very well could. "You will not do it, Erna," she said, half pleadingly. "I shall. And you will go with me to save me." "I am an old fool-" cried Lady Rom - ley. "To think that I have ruled every- body all my life, to be at last led about by a wilful girl, who coquets with posi- tive ruin." "I was sure you would go," said Erna, gratefully. "Yes, I will go. but I know I shall rue it to the day of my death." CHAPTER X XVL, When Lady Gertrude left Melrose, it was with a deep feeling of hatred for Erna. She did indeed love Lord. Au- brey, and regretted losing him; but, after ;_,keenest feeling .,was one of anger at Erna for winning him from her. She returned to Moreham Hall, believing she had forever lost the earl, and devouring her soul with shame and mortification. Then, somehow, the rumor canto , to her in a few days that the earl had left Mel- rose, a rejected suitor for the hand of the beautibuf Erna. The story told also how Erna had be - :tome the affianced wife of the old mar- quis. And for some time after that Lady Gertrude continued to hear of Erna's social triumph.e. Oue day her mother said to her: "Gertrude, why do you not make an- other effort to win the Earl of Aubrey? Borne one will have him, for I am told that he is determined to have a countess for Aubrey." "You wish me to try, mamma?" cried Gertrude, a flush of shame rising to her fair cheek. "How can you think of such a thing?" "It would be a nice thing to be Count- ess of Aubrey," said Lady Moreham, quietly. "After the way he has treated me, mamma?" said Gertrude. "My clear," said Lady Moreham, cold- ly, "I trust there is no nonsense here about love, and that sort of thing." Lady Gertrude flushed. "I did think I loved him, mamma; and you did not discourage it." ".`So long as your sentiment helped our policy, my dear, it was wise to encour- age it. But it would be the height of folly to permit it to interfere. Lord Aub- rey, rejected by Erna March, is just as desirable a parte as Lord Aubrey with Orgill affections to bestow, if that is lave idea." "What would you have me do, mam- eia?" asked Gertrude. "Simply give him the opportunity to ask you to be his countess. Do not avoid hive by keeping away from every place be„ I almost hate hire,. I have talked the matter ur father, and he quite e. If Lord Aubrey had ever poken t u in such a way .as to com- mit himst it would be different, but you have told me mere " than .once that he never dad. I do'n't see why you should' have any feeling. Surely you would like to be Countess of Aubrey?" "Yes, mamma." . "That is sensibly said. This afternoon we shall meet the earl at Marly Towers, where the duke is, giving a little enter- tainment, You will go. Please bestow a great deal of attention on your toilet; and practice some of the songs the earl likes. I will contrive to have you sing." "My dear," whispered Lord they to his wife that evening, as they were driving home from Marly, "the Earl of Aubrey has requested an interview to- night. He will drive over after dinner." Lady (Moreham leaned back amid the cushions and beamed .mysteriously at Gertrude, who was as weary as if she had been through a hard-fought engage- ment. "For goodness' sake, mamma," she exclaimed, petulantly, "aren't look so wise, but do say what you have to say I'm tired to death," "I think I can rest you, my dear." "Then I wish you would." "Were you not satisfied with the at- tention of the earl?" "He was polite to me. He praised my singing. He has done that a score of times. Ugh! I could not look at him without remembering that Erna March could bring him to her side by a crook of her little finger." ' "That was rather a vulgar expression, my dear." I felt vulgar,' 'said Lady Gertrude, rebelliousiy. "The earl," said. Lady Moreham, with solemn emphasis, "has requested an in- terview with your father this evening. What do you suppose that means?" An inscrutable expression passed over Lady Gertrude's face. It was not as easy for her to recover from the sting of her humiliation by Erna, as her mo- ther would have it. She still loved the earl enough to wish to marry him; but somehow she hated him, and would have made him suffer in some way if it had been in her power. "I suppose," she answered, "that he is going to ask for my hand." "Of • course," was the triumphant ex- clamation of, her mother. Lady Gertrude's lips closed in. a hard line. If he had spoken first to her, it would have been possible to forgive him. Of course she would accept him. It did not occur to her not to, but, it would be a matter, first of all, of a. good settle- ment; and, after that, of repaying him for the humiliation he had caused her. Hers was not a very large soul. But perhaps that was natural, considering the training it had had since its advent into the world. That night the earl was ushered into the library where Lord Moreham awaited him, with no little anxiety. It meant a great deal to Lord. More - ham to get such a son-in-law as the rich Earl of Aubrey. Lady Ger- trude and any possible happiness in her future did not enter into his cal- cultations. She was merely a valuable .commodity which• he had for sale. He was nervous, though he hid his em- otions under a conventional mask. Lord Aubrey was nervous too. He had taken this step from a sense of justice. What he had suffered after leaving Erna no words could depict; but little by little, he gained control of himself. He went over all that had happened; and by and by seemed to see his duty clearly enough through the cloud that ]sad for a tune obscured it. Ho had said nothing, done nothing to give Lady Ger- trude any right to ]cold hint. That was true. And yet he could not disguise the fMet that in intangible ways he had given her a claim on him. He, was very cynical, again, now. It was inevitable that lie should be so. It was his experi- ence that he always met with treach- ery from those he most trusted. He thought neither of loving nor trusting. It was as clear now as ever that he must marry. Somehow it seem- ed a duty to society to provide an heir rzcsmemaremral O'r+N o >' '4% dea.E•e ©ocf. c.iz.�..P'es HE WHITEST Li 6111E9. ood/z�'d INSURES P FOOD, A. O. LTD. TOUONTO, (Tl�'"9l. • RC UR m IN24Houj You can painlessly remove any corn, eitwer hard, soft or blending,/ DV applying 1'utnain't, Corn Extractor.-': ,it noYei' Mums, leaves no scar. contains f ealing gimharmless and b �lms because composed le use.. ,Cure guaranteed. ,Sold ay all druggists 215c. bottles. ,Refuse subtitutes. PUTNAIVVS PAINLESS CORN EXTRACTOR for Aubrey. And was all he oared for.. If he had ,gry Lady Gertrude a claim do hien, he . uld .redeem it by asking' for her but theta should be no nonsense t loving. He did not love her. He 1 ' nobody. Ah, well, ha was not so sure , that. But, at any rate, he would n have taken Erna March for his wi rider any circum- stances,. his infat a. aon was no less, perhaps his thought f her were as ag- onizing as they mz 9r ei; ,perhaps he grew haggard tern • . his ef- forts to cast her o ` ' of his heart. . Nevertheless, he redemned her , for her heartlessness. Ii :;did. not' occur to him that she night -illy love him, He did admit, freely a t frankly, that he deserved some pum : lent for his treat- ment of her; but turd, rite punishment which seemed to hinie to most degrade her who administered it. Al! that was ity thfi! The' sting was that Erna lead cease: to be the lofty, high-souled, if willfu . creature be had believed •leer. He wild have forgotten her harsh words and treatment; but not her deliberate 't !aellery. Poor fel- low.! he was. "lost ii the ffort to ad- just a wcmaziys £e lgs with her an - tions. "Lord Moreham," said, abruptly, as soon as he was, • "I came over here for the purposr 1 having a frank talk with y'bu, if y will permit me." "Certainly, ';xny 1 • On what sub- ject?" '. "On the subject a your daughter." "Ah!" in a Very ndneomneittal man- ner, as if that were a!:- subject requiring a great reserve in treiliment, "You know something, no doubt, of the stories which hallt been in eirculo- Lion about?' "My dear earl!" exclaimed LordMore- ham, deprecatingly.. "Of course I have. I admit that frankly, as between two men of the world. Ti e stories belong to ancient history. ,all of us must sow our wild oats." A look of supreme disgust passed over the earl's face; but lie shrugged bis shoulders and went on. "I have never seen fit to deny any- thing that has been said of me," he said quietly; "but now that I come to you on my present errand, I think it pro- per to tell you as much of the truth as need be." . "Unncceseary, my dear earl; but, just as you please." In fact, Lord--Moreham had consider- able curiosity to lzei r the story fro;n the earl's own Iips. Tb' earl; however, had no notion of •making „Lord More - ham his confessor. '� "I only wished to s33,y;' the yearly went on, "that in the first instance I merely took on my own shoulders the fault of another. It did not matter to me what was said of me; but I was foolish en - then to 'look upon royalty as a sacred thing, to preserve which any sacrifice v.as not too great." "Ah, yes," said Lord Moreham. "I re- member to have heard something of that." "As to the stories which are told of my career abroad, I will only say that I kept sufficiently bad company, but never did a dishonorable thing. But I did contract a foolish marriage with an adventuress." • "Ali!" Lord Morelia began to scent complications. "There aro no children, for the separ- ation took placg almost at once after the marriage. The e mean went to Am- erica, where she died about a year later. She w,as everything that was bad. I tell you of this because it seems the honor- able part, since 1 come to you, now, as a suitor for the hand of. your daughter." "Very honorable,ndeed. Your con - duet does you great edit," said Lord Moreham, warmly; dight in reality he thought Aubrey very ifoolisli to make so much of the matter, Whe delicacy of the earl in telling him,. lie could not in the least appreciate. "Anil you -wish to make our dear Gertrude, your countess?" "Yes. I feel that I should marry; and I have decided that Lady Gertrude would do honor to my name and wealth, I speak of it in this businesslike way, niy lord, because I wish it tuiderstoocl that there is no sentiment involved," "Very sensible, indeed. I can meet you half -way. Sentiment has no place in an affair of this sort. .You wish a countess, and you go straight to the point." . Lord Morehane's delight was so great that it was difficult for him to maintain his dignity. "You are not averse, then?" suggested the earl, coldly. "Why," replied his lordship, "I suppose I should here and haw, and make some demur; but I am disposed to treat you as you treat me ---fro ikl.y. Lord Aubrey, 1 shall be pleased to accept you as a son- in-law:' Tho earl smiled cynically, "But Lady Gertrude? She may wish to say .something in the matter." Lord Moreham almost betrayed him- self in his boisterous laugh. "Gertrude? She is too good a daughter to reject the :man I aecopt for her. No, no she will do as I say, A good daugh- ter and a good wife; my lord.' "Nevertheless," persisted the earl, clry- Iy, ".t shall request that you acquaint Lady Gertrude with the circumstances of my offer of marriage, when I shall then speak to her myelf." So the following day the earl rode over again, and was met in the drawing-room by Lady Gertrude, It was a painful meeting for both of them; for both were conscious iiia measure of how' the other was feeling. The earl bowed very low before tier, as if kee woul l aolkvey an un- spoken apology for any ant of his which might have troubled. her. ' i'ou know why 1 am here, Lady Garr- trude?" he said, ''Your father has spoke en to you?" "Yes, my lord." "May 1 hope that you look with favor on my request?" he asked. Noe a word of love! No pretense of it, Lady Gertrude shut her lips tight. He might at least have made that little concession after having won her heart. She might have forgiven him then. "Yes, my lord," she answered, coldly, "it will give me pleasure to be ' the Countess of Aubrey." He felt the meaning of her manner; but he only bowed as if in acceptance of her ans: ger. If she were offended with him, it was her right. Possibly he was sm trifle disappointed, as if in his innermost heart he had thought she might refuse him. There was no need to prolong the in- terview •beyond the interchange of con- ventional courtesies; and within a few minutes the earl was again closeted with Lord Moreham.. So far as the latter was concerned, the most interesing portion of the conversa- tion that followed was contained in these words of the earl: "Then, if the amount seems satisfac- tory to you, I will settle fifteen thou• sand a year on Lady Gertrude,' and con- vey •to her the Westmoreland ' place, which comes to nee from my mother." "A princely settlement, my lord," said Lord Moreham. CfT elSmER NXXVIL The earl had been in no espeeial haste to be married, and Lady Gertrude was positively indifferent. She enjoyed all the eclat that came from her position as bride -elect of Lord Aubrey; but she would not have done a thing to hasten or postpone the wedding. Lady Moreham was of a iifferent mind. Erna March still existed, and every day there came new evidences of her social success. When the London season opened no one hesitated to say she would be the great card of the sea- son. She was engaged to the Marquis of Melrose, it was true, but he was an old man, and might die at any moment; and, what was more, she was a, capri- cious creature, who might change her mind. Lady Moreham had seen something of her hold upon the hearts and minds of men, and she was not disposed to take the risk of having her meet with Aubrey again until the latter was safely wedded to her daughter. So it was dire to her that the wedding was fixed for so early a date. On • the morning of the wedding -day, Lady Moreham made her appearance in her daughter's boudoir, her eyes rather big with startling news. Gertrude dis- missed her maid, and looked inquiringly at her mother. "Gertrude, my dear! what do you suppose has happened?" Gertrude turned a little ailr� asked, indifferently: "Lord Aubrey changed his mind?" Lady lliorel,am was shocked at the levity; but within the last few weeks the had fallen into the habit of defer- ring more than before to the future Countess of Aubrey. "My child! No, et'rtninly not. Erna March has married the Marquis of Mel- rose." Gertrude's eyes snapped with exulta- tion, but she said nothing. Her mother gave out the next piece of news. She married the marquis on his death- bed." Gertrude started up, but fell back again in her chair. After all, what did it matter? The wedding was to take place in a few hours. "Then she is the dowager marchioness. I suppose she made a good bargain?" "Really, Gertrude!" exclaimed her mo- ther, too shocked to restrain herself, "you do sometimes make the most vul- gar remarks." Gertrude smiled unpleasantly, her beautiful face marred by a sneer. "Did you not think the same thing?" she calmly asked. She did not recover her serenity after her another left her, but sat near her window, gloomily tapping the floor with her daintily slippered little foot. She was not having at all suck a wedding - day as she had dreamed of. In the early days she had laid but lit- tle stress on the part that love would play in her marriage. Then she had dreamed mostly of a coornet and a large settlement. Well, she was getting both. But she bad dreamed of being imperious- ly happy, very much as a queen might be supposed to feel. But she was not happy arc all. It was not so much that the love was lacking. She might have put Up with that fea- ture; but instead of having won her lord triumphantly, by virtue of her beauty and accomplishments, she had only re- ceived him at second hand from her most hated rival. She had had rivals in her dreams, but then she had always played Erna's part. Ah! how she hated Erna! there was no ill she would not leave wished her. If she had felt more sure of the earl, it would have been different; but there al- ways haunted her the uneasy ofecling that Erna would need no more than to look at the earl to make him indifferent to his plighted troth, and bring hive back to her feet. "My lady!" Her maid had entered the room, her face expressive of startling tidings. Gertrude stamped her foot angrily at the interruption. "Why do you conte here with that idiotic air? If you have anything to say to me, say it like a rational being," "Yes, my lady. I would not have trou. bled you at all, only I was sure you would thank me for telling you." "Well?" • "Miss March-•----" 'Are you going to tell the that she id "PALE AN Anaemia, Bad 131 Sick Ilea Success of For her 'Wilkinson is. eurative pro Pills. 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