Flesherton Advance, 23 Jul 1896, p. 2

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LORD KILLEEN'S REVENGE 'Hk CUAPTEB XXXVI Il-(Coiainued) "Why bo wont on Saturdayâ€" tliroo days ago," suid Barry.. "O Id you bu<ln'l heard. He won't bo home un- til to-morrow.. And even so," with a rcpro.ichful glance at Uor, "you needn't preteud to me Ulril you think he wouldn't 1)0 glad to see you at any time, under any rinuuistanixM." Then a liijhl dawned upon him. "Ah! you're afraid he might objvct to your being esctirted by me," he suid, with all the sapient air of one who has gra.sped by chance a truth. " Why shoald he object t What have you got in your head now in lieu of bralnaf" demanded ConKtantia, with a stamp of her pretty foot. She knew StrouRa WHS watching her, and thia rendered her the more indignant.i "I only thought thatâ€" Uut you are not worth an argument," she broke off with \ nervous lit i le laugh. "tjtill, the gardens, Con I And I hear they are lovely now," entreated Norah, eoaxiugly. She slipped her hand round ker sister's waist, and gazed with tend- »r entreaty into her eyea. "And if he ia away from home," she said. "Well, let us go, then," said Constan- tia. She took Norab's hand, anil held It tightly, and she adroitly changed her position, so that Stronge no longer walked at one side of heri The little sister now divided them^ Perhaps she bad divined his an^tlysis of her motives a moment since, |nd resented itj Per- haps his deep, earnest gaze bad em- barrassed her. At ail events she had elected to punish him, and inutinct told her that the surest way to do that waa to withdraw herself from him. It was pnly a yard or two as it hap- pened, but "ohj the differcnoe to bimi" They all went on again, presumably •a though nothing had occurred to dis- turb the happy harmony of a while â- CO, but silenoe fell upon them. Even Norah ceased her iuteiminable chatter. Kot a word eaoaped them ua they skirt- ad the avenue, and presently emerged upon a low, level bit of sward oloae to the rangn of wio<lows that belonged to the library, billiard-roum, smoking- room, and the little den where Mr. Featherstou was popularly supposed to meditate on godly deeds, to make up his clothing club and other charitable accounts, and where, ac(M>rdiug to Bar- ry, he was in the habit of saying bis prayers. "Il must be awkward for him now," he said, as they came to a standstill opposite the windows of the "Den," to let Nurah pluck a (lower that had tak- en b<!r fancy^ "lie must miss the ora- tory.. Ilut pnrhups he sets up bis closet wherever he gocs.< A galvanized iron affair would not cost much, and would be Invaluable to one so earnr«t< lie might pitch it on the nearest gooi^o- green, and hold a Ulue Itilibon meeti-ig in it. 'I'hat would delight the innocent villagers; the bouse that moved would fill them with awe.' They would go down before it. His list of teetotallers would be filled to overClowLog^ lie will create quite a ttoiisalion in l<'erâ€" Ah!" The ejac:ulatioa droppe<i from him involuntarily, lie changtMi color. His faze was riveted uiwu the window of he room where the young man was sup- posed to wri'jjlle with the higher [mwers for the subjut^atlon of drunkenncs.^ in the village; and lo, and behold, what he saw there was the good young man himself I His comiMinions followe<l his gaze, and were electrifiod in lurnj To come face to face with a jwrsou, you have gCHKl reason for believing to Im many miles away, is always a .shock, mure ur leas. It was de«dile<lly more to (.'on- stanlia in IhU instani'e, as she would not have been seen by li"eather«ton so :lo.se to his hou.so for anything that could bo offrrod her. They were all so â- slounded (bat no one s|K)ke, even when Fe.it berston had abstracted the pajier from the dnveii|iort in the window and had moved a«ide out of their Kight. Not for long however. Before Con- â- tantia had suffiiii'nlly rc<-ovore>l bor- â- elf to arrange for a hasty retreat, Fenthnraton reappeared again with a tuinl)ler in hi.i hand. • "The holy l)f>y is going to mix him- self a moli'St S'ilUl/," [iarry o<)uM not refrain from niullenng, unable lo let a chance of sncerintf at nis rival go by. Featlierslon had moved away ugaiii, and again returnml; and what was this he now heldt Constant ia gasted as if fn.scinnted at this new obji'ot in i lie picture. She felt she was growing very pale and that her hands were I reiubling. Was her last l)eliof in him lio Ije now rudely •batteredâ€" here â€" to-day? It was a long-net'kwl Ijottle of goodly uroportions. By mi means an rnipl y bottle. It was three quarters full of a liquid of imle gold color: It seemed to those looking on that Ihey oould, even at t hat distance, read the word cognac Ujion it. Mr. Feutherston, who evidently Ign- ored the suiMrior cburms of a <leoanler, eyed the oriliimry brandy liollle with a friendly glance, and pulling the cork from it, prinee'leil to pour its contents Into the tumbler until the latter was quite half fullâ€" generous measurement allowail. To lift it to his li(i8 after this and drink it with an uninlslake^ able n lish, setMne.*! a .simple matter lo this apostle of temimrauoel Who ran oould read that there was a lasting love between I ho man and t he Ixil t le. "Come, come," whl.spi>.red Constant la, hoarsely, turning pit(M>u« oyiis on fitrongo. It snemod t ohim â€" who un- derstood a groat deal, and yet not quite allâ€" a niarvelously strange thing that It should be to hira she oamo for help Id this trial, which, utter all, hail he but known it, wn.s not so severe a one. It was, however, thu final wren. h. She put out her hand to him in her dlstre-ss. He o.ugbt itâ€" how gladly, she could not knowâ€" and with one consent, they nil turnptC and fled the a|iot, and ran back loward tho wood.^ In silence they D\a<U their way, until they c^ime to a tiny dell, secluile<l, moss-grown, liv- ing in the very heart of the swaying trees; and here they 8to|)i>ed, out of breath a little, and looked one ui>oa the other.' No one spoke. CUAPTER XXXIX. When the .slli-n -e had grown positive- ly uwtui, ^orah broke it. ' "Well, I never I" she said, simply, but largely. Neither did any one else, evidently. There was no dissentient voice. One I'ould see that they were something em- barrassed with each other, by the way in whii:h they avuide<l each other's eyea. CoiLStantia tried to make a re- mark, but (ailed; so did Stronge; and then all at once they became aware that something was the matter with Ilarry. He was purple 1 He was writhing, wriggling, in the most extraordinary way, and then the crisis came He burst into a roar of laughter. Long and loud be laughed, with a most indecent disregard for public opin- ion. He was past cariog for that. Ho (lung himself indeexl ujion the mossy sward as though he could no lon(;er support his limbs, and abandoned him- self ecstatically to the mirth that had been consuming him for the last five minutes. Stronge regaided him with extreme severity for a little while, and then, overcome no doubt by bis evil example, gave in, and broke into exuljerant laughter likewisej Even the fear of Constantia's wrath was powerless to control him. Norah was not long in following suit. IJeligbted with a chance of cackling at all limea, she saw no wa splendid opportunity not to be neglected, and gave her mirth full swing \(ithout a thought for the mor- row, and a sister's displeasure. As for Constantia, she stood stern and uncompromising, gazing at hex com- panions with oareTuI contempt. But after a bit her strength, she found,waa insufficient for hcrj Had this revela- tion come a month ago, before the dis- closure:- oil the night of that fatal m^iak- ed ball, all would have lieen different; believing Featherston still true, she would have felt crushed, humiliated, heart-broken. But now I Now they were all laughing; and she was young, she was Irish, she was pretty. It was but a flei^hwound, after all, she hod received in her first en- counter. In spite of a keen struggle with her severer self, the stern lines almut her soft lips relaxed, the gravity ! died from her e^es, and was replaced I by a sparkling light that told its own tale. She maile one last fight for com- 1 l>o.surc, and then, vanquishod, yetwilh- ' out regret for her defeat, she joine*! in > the general merriment, and laughed until the tears ran down her cheeksj "That's right," said Stronge, with a quick seu.se of relief as he watched her. Waa there a glimmer of hope in the relii-f* "Oh, butâ€"" she said, looking up at him. "It is dreadful, la it not f Oh, we should not be laughing â€" " "After all, why not i" said Stronge. "There is an element of comicality somewhere around, and we are all in- (eted by it. There La surely no harm in that." "liarrett, he is calling you names," said Norah, saucily j "lie says you are a comical element. It was you who made us laugh, wasn't itt" "Well, 1 don't fancy I was the first cauae," said Barryj I was only the useful but iiLsignificant luuti^h. Better be laughing lb, in oryiug any day. le.iih- erstoii uogtit to be lli<« crying, naugh- ty boy. lly Jove, what a swindle I" Hero ho went of( again. "I wish wo hadn't gone up there to- day," said Constantia, nervously. "You most confess wo behaved mcanly,shaiu6- fully, to spy up.m him through his own windows, to ileteci himâ€"" "Drinking whisky, with that bluerib- Ijoii pinned upon bis coat! That's what I c;ill mean and shameful," interrupt- ed Norah, with u liillu sniff. "Brandy, my <lear," corrected Barry. "Don't belie him." I "Was it brandy? Uoallyf" asked Nor- ah, in an awe-struck tone. "The best, 1 have no doubt," aaid Harry. "That makes it worse, then," said Norah., "Aunt Uriitgot is always say- ing that brandy is over so much wick- eder than whisky." I "Your aunt Bridget knows what's what," relurnud Barry, solemnly. "Take uiy advice, and stick to her dark say- ]ings until your b;iir is gray." I 'Ob, 1 hoiie he didn't see us," said Constantia, mii^erably.' She looked so pile and terrified that om-e uguiu rilronge's hejirt was contracted by a liilter pung o( jealousy.' Um-e again di'spiir look up its dwelling there. I Women, he knew, had Imon faithful I through much l)cfore Constantia's lime â€" Iierbaps .she would U-. I He was ig- norant, however of that little scene at Donna Dundas's liall, whern masks hid facea and where hearts s|Kikc the truth. A woman can forgive most things, Imt disloyally demands ve-ng»>ance. "To do him iuslice he doesn't squint, and it would have been iniiHW»Mible oth- erwise to see us and the lioltle at the same time," said Harry, who was deler- niinod not to tako it .seriously, "He gave the prefereiioe ito the liotlle." Then be looked amused again. "It he hud seen as, I wonder what he wouUl have done," he said. "Prayed for death," said Stronge with conviiition. "Oh, when I think of that blue rib- bon I" cried Norah indignantly. "And il was the liiKgesI \iU-i-« of riblMin in Ihe parish. Oh the hypocrite I Con- ine, liDW shall we ever apeak to him again I" "You must do nothing, you muat not oven hint at it. It would lie base, <lis- honorable," said Constantia vehement.- ly. "Norah, do vou lieivr ineV You must ilo nothing, you must let this Ihinff pass from your mind as though it bad never Iwen." "Stuff and nonsense!" said Norah scornfully, wlio hod not yet leonieil tnat you may think It any uncivilize>.l language you like, but that you must s[)eak in proper Knglish.i "Do you sup- pose 1 c<inld forget wliat we saw to- (layf Could you?" ConstMnlia lutneil a sorrowful glance upon her lillli' sister, but answer sle made none.i Never indeed >vould sh- forget this day. Her last lieliet in one »he could have lovei was shattered, Ih" pity had given pUco lo-day to n sup- reme coiitt^mpt. Hut in all this ther. was sadiissa. "It never oooorred to me," said Stronge slowly. "It did to ine," said Barry. "I'm a dull fellow enough, but some instinct Btotxl to me, and told me lo mi«tru.st him.' Thia craze for tot4il alislinenoe was all a plant to get hUitself into the go>xl gjucea of Lord Kill<-en.s, who can give hira a push in the parliamentary direolion u<!Zt eleciionj Babl it makea one sick to think of it." • "Come bume I" sild Constantia, sud- rtenlvj She lo<jke<l digtre&sed, and her hands were trembling. A thought ha<l come t<i hi-T. "If he should happen to walk this wayâ€" to meet usj It might happen." She did not say ho^v often of late he had oome through the wooil this way to call at The Cottage, and how often she had rushed by the back door into the tiny orchard behind the house to give some color to the serv- ant's an.swer, "Not at home." "Oh, hurryl" she oried, looking appcalingly at Strongej "If I met him now I could not speak to himâ€" I couldn't in- deed, and he might guess â€" " Her very lips grew pale at the dread- ful thought. Barry s{>rung to hia feet, and I bey all followed Connie's eag- er loot.steps back toward The Cottage. Just where the wood terminated, and open fields that belonged to her home, she dismissed her com|>aninns. "Norah and I will go home alone the rest of the -tvay. Yes, please," seeing that Barry was about to protest, the hour being late and the twilight dull. ".4s you know," with a faint smile at him, "Annt Bridget is not altogether in her bivi'liest mood to-day, and to see you againâ€" you both," hastily in'luding Stronge, and blushing warmly at her indlsoretlon. "would â€" wouldâ€"" "Don't mind me," said Barry ,sweet- ly, "I'm not ^rorth that blush: nor is the occasion. To know one's self unbe- loved by Miss MacGillicuddy might cause some men acute misery: it only oauses me joy unspeakable. However, aa I am your servant always, Constan- tia, to do or die in your service, I shall bid you good-bye here." "Don't tike things so much to heart," said Stronj^e, lo a low voice, as bo took her hand in parting.i "Nothing is worth much ^rief." Yet, how he had grievedl How he would grieve forever for the love de- lfie<l himi He put aside his own feelings for the mnment, and sjioke this world- ly sentiment to try to heal her wound. He was considerably jierplexed by the strange look with which she answered him. "Is th.it your creed?" she said slow- ly- "At least it is a good one," he re- turned evasively. He and Barry, having kissed good- night to Norah, turno<l into a path that led sharply to the right and were soon out of sight.! Constantia with a quick sigh, went on through Ihe wood, hardly heeding the lively Norab's chat- ter that never for a moment ceased. Toward the end of the path a tbiiJi bit of shruliliery grew, and as they en- tered it, lioth started, as a tall, dark figure stcnp'd out of the rhododendrons, right in /ront of them. CHAPTElt XL. Constantia snrunK bai'k involuntarily as if frigbtene4l, and laid her hand on Nor.ib's arm. That Utile heioine.how- ever, w;ta not to bo daunted. She went straight up to, the dark figure, and peered into its face. fjonl Kille«n's Ilevenge. "Why, it's Kittyl" she said then, in a tone of distinct (ILsapitointment; a time that l)or<lere<l on di^ust; to be so near to the finding of a real bogey, and to have it turn out nothing after all! "What lire you iloing. Kitty?" shn demandml, with an air oT asperity. A face ha<l emerged from the long black coat that Iris^ marriinl women always wear; a face young and pretty. One could see thit the cloak had lieen lorrowccl. The girl looked past Norah at Constantia, in a timid, uncertain fashion. "Miss Connie," she said, "eonld I spake to yo for a moment, it ye plazo?" The cloak had fallen back altogether now, and l>etraye<l the dove-colored cacbemire gown nnd muslin apnm that formed the female livery at Araglin. Constantia saw that it was Kitty Brian, the underhou.<iemaid there, a girl to whom Lady Varley had lieen specially kind, taking her out of a poverty- stricken to train as a servant. The girl had returned this kindness by a passionate atta<'hment, that grew with every gentle word from her gentle mis- tress. "I.ady Varli'v!" exclaimed Constantia. anxiously. "She is not ill? Has any- thing hapnone<lt" "There Is nothing, mlvt." said the girl, "nothing at all." with a rather forced smile. Her nervousness seemed to grow upon 'ler. "It was only a lit- tle thriflo of my own I wanted toâ€" to consult ye aliiiut. An' I Ihnught if I met ye here in private," with an ex- ureasive glance at Norah (who read her, however, like a took), "you might list- ten to me." "Certainly," aaid Constantia, grave- ly. "Norali, run on to the house, and if Aunt Bridget asks for me, sayâ€" say I nm comiDg. and that 1 shall be in presently." "I'll do better than that," aaid the good little Norah. "I'll idle around until I see you coming, or," fearing she may hurry her, nearly coming, and then she can scold us Ivtb togeth- er, which," aaucily, "will nave time. Now, Kitty," with a sivniful glance at that iKwr diplomatist, "you can tell your siv-rets in comfort, aa you have got rid of me." .She darted away like a swallow, leav- ing Constantia alone with the maid. "Well," said the former, smiling kindly, "what is it? Y'ou have something to say to me?" She like Ibo girl, who had proved herself very ilevoted to LaAy Varley during all the aad time of the poor lit- tle lialiy's illn««s and dtuith, and pre- pared to listen sympathetically to any homely tolo of trouble the girl might chanc'i to tell. "Yes, mi.ss." The girl hesitated, and looked round her fearfully, and Con- stantia, Nvhiwo surprise was growing, could not full to mark the iiallor of her lips, and the terror that depicted itself oiiever.v feature. "There is l^d ni'wis. Miss Connie," she .said at last; and then again paused, with a swift glance around her into tbi' thiikening gloom. "Oh. if 1 should Ih> overheardi" she .said. "No one can hear you in this out-of- Hit--\vny spot," returned Constantia, laliiily. thougb her heart was liegin- iimg to iHiat with the expectation of soil!" unknown but surely coming evil, 'What ia it, Kitty? Spi\ak at once, ^(•iiii'thing hns happened." "No, no, miss; not yet. Hutâ€" but what I'm afuard of is that it will happen un- less there ja some one to prevent it. Mias Connie," in a low, urgent tone, 'swear to mo you'll not Ijethray that 1 was tin; one lo bpake, of what I'm now goin' to tell ye.' "I swear it," said Constantia, without , hesitation. Anil then, quickly, "Lady [ Varley is in tUuger â€" trouble* ' "Ay, Alias. 'Twill be sad trouble for h''r if no one imu help. But yuu, { .Mi»i Mactiillicuddy, you can do some- thing. That's why 1 came to ye. For ! two long days and nights, " cried the girl, ui low Dut ciiited tones, "tbia Secret has lain upon my heart, uutll 1 told myself 1 ihould spake o£ it or die." "Spiak, then." aaid Cooslaulli, with a toui:b of impatience; "wluit is this terrible thing that threateus your mis- treas?" "Aly lord â€" " began the girl, and then stropped aliruptly as if frighl«-ued. Constantia drew l^ack. abu flushed criiuaoQ. "It is impossible that I should lis- ten to compiainta of Lord Varley," she said, haugliLiiy. "I thought you too respectalde a girl for this sort of thing. Do you think jour uilstreaa would like to have the petty uuplea*- antnesses of her houseliold puulicly can- I vaaseti?" She moved as though to pass the girl I by; but Kitty Brian laid her hanl upon ! her arm and held her firmly. I 'Miss Constantia, don't go like that. ' Hear me," she cried, dropping on her I Ipees and catching Constantia':! skirls. l"Vou know â€" don't ye, now mitofâ€" that l I would sell my heart's blood for the ' misthrcis. 'lis (or my lady that 1 beg, here on my knees. I thought you ! loved her, so I came to yuu. Oh, mias. if you will not listen, who will? What friend ha,.i she upon earth when -her own man ii false to her* " The voice was so tragical, so passion- ately in earnest, the girl's face so white with honest emotion, that Constantia felt her nerve fail. If, any real misfortune threatened Lady Varley, what should she do? She entertain- ed for her aa warm an affection that she stood now almost paralyzed by this sudden tialeful light that luid been thrown across her brain. That Lord Varley had been wild, fouliah, culpa- ble, she knew; but that word "false," and the girl's impassioned luunner â€" "Do you know what you are suyiug?" she murmured, faintly. "Ay, miss; and the grief that lies in my worda for her. Uod be good to ua all! We want it sorely when the very closest to ua may be the one to work us the worst evUI" "AH that you suy makes only vague bints," cried Constantia, veiiemenlly. "Vou must explain fully, entirely. Tell me at once exactly what you mean." "Listen, then, miss. Ve heard, may be, that Misther Dundaa went to Lon- don alout a week agot" "Yea." "May lie, though, ye haven't heard that ever since hu goin', my lord has been mornin'. noon, an' night up there at Ballymore wid Mrs. Dimdasf '"Ibis is all prolaldy idle gossip." "It's not, missi" with an eloquent ges- ture. "Don't >e be led from the truth by siu-h Tubbish as that. He goes to see Mrs. Dtuidas. More shame for berl" she broke out, in a burst of honest in- dignation. "Ho may have had business." jier- sisted Constantia. Uut she felt her fee- bleness. "Business, is it? An' what business has he wid any one but bis O'wn wife? Arrah! Mise Connie, now, an" is it de- fe.ndin' him ye'd be? An' I that could have s^vorn ye were all for iny lady I" "If you have only to tell me of Lord Varley's visits to Mrs. Uundaa, who is a very old friend of bis," tiegan Con- stantia, coldly. "1â€"" "Ah! but that Lsn't all, miss," aaid Ithe girl, sadly. " "fls only the l>e- ginnin' of ii. Look here; this is how It stanils. Mr. Dundos has been gone a week; he is not to lie home for anoth- er fortnight, an' when he comes he won't find a wife -lie(ore him. She's goin' to leave him (or Lord Varley!" "Oh, no, no! What horrible story ia his? " cried Constantia. putting up Jier t hands as it to ward thing. "Ti: 1. pi off some hateful is thrue, miss, for all that," said th'- girl, mournfully, "Thrue as ye stand th"rp. This is Tuesday, an' for Thura- <U»y they have it all settled to run away." .She threw her arms wide, and then suddenly brought her bands togidher with a loud clap, and burst into tears. "Oh, wlrra, wirra! an' what will become of my lady thin?" she .sobbed. frauticallT. Constantia was too horrified to have much patience with her wild grief. "Stop crying," she said. Imperiously, "and listen to me. Have you proofs? Is there no doubt about all thisâ€" disgraoe- (ul story!" "Sorra doulit, mlM," The girl waa still sobbing, but some Indignation came into her tone. She turned on Constan- tia. "Dy'e think I wouldn't have more dacency than to mintion the matter at all, if there wasn't a necessity (or it?" she said. "It's all arranged, I tell ye. By starting on Thursday, they'll have a good ruu liefore Mr. Dundas haa learned the truth. Oh. it will lie the ruin entirely of my ladyl Such a shame to her, an' before all the world, tool Oh, mi», if you can do anything, do iti" Constantia was sunk in thought. So this was the end of Donna's wiTeal An intense loathing (or her Lieautiful coua- m. that seemed to chill her througlj and through, crept over her until 3ie felt that she waa shivering, not only in aoul but Ixidy. Ob, the pretty phrases of her, the pluiisiblo worils, the soft, seductive laugh! Oh, that she could tell her what abe thought of iier! I'hat she could make her feel, i( only for the firat and last time of her life! She drew her breat h hard with a kind of sob. as she aaain turned to the anxious girl. "And you," she said, looking down on her, "how did you learn all thial" Kitty fidgeted. _",Why, there's Dinny Murphy up »t "anymore," she said at last. "1 see. I understand, lie ia your sweetheartâ€" your lover?" "Why we do lie i^cepin' company sometimes," said the girl, plucking shy- y at her apron. "Hut faix, 1 don't think, miss, that there's much in it." She cast a glance at Constantia out of her eloquent Irish eye>s, as she aaid this, that lielied her ».sscrtiou, and com- pelleil Constantia to lielieve that there waa all the world in it so far as aha was concerned. . ','*Iay lie ye think I should have held my tongue in spite of what Iknow. May be 'tis blamin' mo ye are for spak- in at all," she said presently, puzzled ly Constantia's pained silence. "But feps. nii.-i.s, dear, I couldn't see the iiiislhress worsted wiilont sain' a word to soineliody whu might give her a An' liy luck, mias. It sthruok me band. that you were tha very one tk do bM a good turn. Mi« Connie," »he came closer and took Cunstaniia'a baud, ^ad lifted it req)e«5tfully, and presied it to her lips, 'do something. Do nowl I'm a poor, ignorant girl, aa' no one would â-  listen to ine, or I'd ptand up befor* Father Jerry himself, an' ory^ It through the parish as a sin an' a shame, if 1 thought 'twould do any good to my lady. Oh, miasi to see the tu«;e of her, so sad, an' so lonely, aa if all the world waa authray wid herl If even the b»by had been left herâ€"" Hi-re she broke off and began to cry bitterly. Ihe little child had been very dear to her. Many and many an hour she bad walke<l up and do>wn the nur- sery floor at midnigbt, hushing its weak cries, and soothing it into tka lethargy that often passed for sleep. "Do not tbink o( that, do not go tack to it," cried Constantia huxriedly, a pang at her heart. "I will try what I can do. I promise you; and I am glad, Kitty, that you ceme to me â€" ma only. No one"â€" she leaned fonvard iniipreKively, and laid her hand on th* girl's fchoulder â€" "no one, remember, must know of this but you and I. Think of Lady Varleyl" "1 think of nothing else, mils," I^ plied the girl, aadly. (To be Continued.) STRANGEST 01 ALL WEDDING& Lion Taurr ud Society Belle Married la a Lloo'a <'ace la !i«alh Africa. Immense, dignified lions and stately' lionesses were the bridal attendanta of a happy couple recently married in South Africa. In a cage where half a dozen Kings of the Forest, strode uneofUy alxiut and growled, the man uwore to "lovs, cherish and protect," the woman, who pledged herself to "lova, honor and obey." And when t he ceremony waa over the crowd gave three obeera that startled aH the animals in tha menagerie, and they excitedly began bowling and screeching. The deep Toajra o( the liona, the shrill trumpeting of eleptutnts, the acreama of tigers and leoparda. the chattering monkeys and t he screeching o( poxrots all combined to form a wedding march Biu-b as never before greeted a brida and groom. Bloomer weddings have become com- mon, stage ceremonies are old, romantio young folks have been wedded in bal- loons and others have stood up in rait rocul trains to be united. In short. Hymen's bonda have been under al- most all circumstances and in all 8ui> roundingB. It ia dirricult to produce A NOVEL WEDDING, and some e[(orta in that line have been ludicrous. To be sure, a multi-mil- lionaire m.ay spend a (ortune on tha marriage o( bla daughter, and make it a novelty to that extent, but «t.ll it ia novel in degroe only and not io kind. It would seem that people would re- nirember such an important event aa tht'ir marriage any way, be it celebrat- ed ever ao modestly. The scene of the latest norelty in marriagi-s, which deserve the title of the most unusual nurriage in tha world, waa in Jubaunt«burg, South Africa. Vol some time FiUis's circus has been touring through South Atrlca. Une of the leading (eatures of the show wia the eihibiiion given by a cag* of per- forming lions under the u&re of Uerr August Wiuilschermaim, a bandat^ma Ueriuan. before whose glances the Uooa trembled and were oljcdient. Dut thoee fien-e eyes could send love mefisjigea when their owner willed, and MvHH .May M-ilraVion. one of the belle* of Johannetiburg. fell a. yklinx to tbsin and blui&hingly said "Yes" when b«( stalwart lover asked her to become tht wife of a lion tamer. When the uuuuger of the oircua of* fered subetonlLil inducements if thi c«Temonv waa perfurmed IN THE LiON'd CAGE, that arrang<'inent wa3 agreed to. al- though Miffl Malraison at first de- murred. Hut she want4'd to ba brave, as she was to get a brave huabaud. and she (inally agrvied to enter the den of liona to clviuge her name and condi- tion in life. The cirtu.H tent was crowded the night o( the ceremony. Pet>ple struggled (o» advantag«'Ous posiiioiid, and they cheer- ed the plucky bride a^ she entered the cage supported on the arm of the bridegroom. "Will you come inside?" hiqulred Herr Windachermann of the minister, aa be held the door invitingly open. "1â€"1 think not," aaid the reverend gentleman. "I will remiin outside. It â€"itâ€" isâ€" tooâ€" too â€" crowded Inside." And so it waa arranged. Standing In- side the cage, with their hands clasped, the happy couple listened to the worda that moide them man and wife and gave the nece!>sary re.sjKiuses as clearly as though they had bt-en in a parlor or lefore the chancel rail of a church. 'The bridegroom held a whip in his dislugaged hand, and at times ba glanced around at his (ieri-e pets. Handing against the bars of the oaga were .several weiapons convenient to hia hand iu oaae the lions ahuuld object to the pr«i,seuc^ of a stranger in their borne. 'Ihe liona behaved remajkablr well. They had been decorated wiib flowers and riblions, and they seemed to know that they were on their guod Iwhavior. 'Ihe bri<ie wore a conventional hi ids! dress, but the bridegroom was attired iu his usual garments. Ua wag afraid the lions might uut know him if ha wore a full drees suit. FENCINC, AS EXERCISE Fencing is becoming a favorite form of exeroL9e smoug women. Among its accompUshed adepts are the young I'rincessea o( Wales, Mrs. Langtry and several of the most graceful acti'es.ses of the Kngliah stago. Though ibe earlier Icasons are sajipoaod to be fi»- tiguiug, when once the knowledge has been aoquircj learneis are always on- Ihuaiasfic followers of this vigorous, healthy exercise. LONDON RE.\L ESTATE. A lot of land on (!oriihill, in London, with a front of 21 t.-et, facing thu Bank of England, was sold rocentlv at a pric<4 equivalent to |12,-Jt>0,(K)0" aa acre. ^

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