A PEER’S PROMISE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 89, 19 August 1913, Page 6

A PEER’S PROMISE.

SCENE IN THE COURT. Accouliug to a writer in tin “Sketch,” - Miss Markham, who wa: awarded CdO.OOOi 11 a breach of pro mise of marriage with the Marquis o ! Northampton, whose dying father hac I secured a promise from him not C [marry Jiej', declared when all ">r Over: “It was not the money I re jquired— well, i wanted to marry tin 1 Marquis.” Then she made a conies Mon of the reason that prompted hci to bring the a cinofotshrdleutaoita to r bring the action for pro mise, which can easily be uuderscoot after the 1 letter read in Court, wind showed that Earl Compton loved her, [and would have married her hut fo the action of his father, the late Mar quis, wiio forbade the marriage, i “The action was really brought le Ime to try and force the father’s hand,’ j'Miss Markham said. And her eyes look 1 eel pensive as she thought over those dark days when she know Earl Comp ton would have married her but foi his father.

“What do I intend doing with i all? Well” —and now she smiled ; little—“l haven’t really thought abou' : it at all at present. It’s far to early yet to say anything about that.’ “You are fond of travelling,, ym know,”, broke in her sister—Mrs Woi —who was with Miss Markham. “Yes,” replied Miss Markham. “.! might go pleasure touring later.” But there was no ring of pleasure in her voice. The old memories wouh could back, as was shown by anothe remark she made which sums up th [regard in which the young lady hei;

the Marquis. Describing the scene in court aftc the settlement had been announced the “ Daily Sketch” sn ys the plain tii appeared absolutely indifferent to i all. She looked in the, direction o the Marquis of Northampton, and lie whole soul seemed to express itself ii ope long yearning gaze. And now h would not return her gaze. Surely surely he would give just one look—surely there would he one last goodbye. She stood up and faced tin direction of the Marquis, and still wit the same look in her eyes, but t its yearning was now added a look o! fear. The court was emptying. Conn sel were busy tying up their papers Tlie.ro was a ’shuffling of many feet The Marquis had been sitting wit his hands to his eyes, his elbows rest iug on tlie table. He took his hand away, and there was a queer look o' his face. Ho had felt it, too. The Mar qnis got up from his seat. Someom came and shook hands with him, am lie returned the grasp in a half-heart ed way; his face was twitching some what But he had not looked. I

friend touched him gently on the arm The woman still looked. He was go irg. There was to lie no good-bye. What was to lie done? She was excit od now. She bent over to Sir E.lwaiv Carson and spoke quickly to him. H shook his head slowly. Then strange thing happened. That dour itrrim fnco" softened, arid-Sit Edward Carson showed that he was a man No longer was he counsel in the case. He was but a knight errant ready t fulfil a, wonyap’s bequest. He spot hurriedly" to Mr Duke; the Marque was leaving the cmirl; he had got t the door,, and he had never looker hack. The woman stood gripping tli• bench.- The Marquis had got througl the door of the court. His frisn: Mas behind him. Air Duke gripper i-ds arm and spoke hurriedly to him “Outside,” said the friend quickly IMr Duke hurriedly went hack an gave the message to Sir Edward, am !'0 passed it to the woman. Withou a word to her solicitors, she mover quickly past the table round by tin jury-box towards the door opposite t• that through which the Marquis ha passed. Her whole demeanor ha; changed. There was excitement i her being. The good-bye was to I) spoken—at last. But it was too late When she got to the corridor.the Alai qnis had gone. Siie stood inside th porch -of the court—waiting. Air F F. Smith, with characteristic gallantry took up the search, accompanied In another. They "searched the coni dors, and they went down into thlarge hall to the door, but no trace o' the Alarquis was to he found. Ho hac gone. Aliss Alarkljam, or Mrs Aloss, as she really is, was married severa years ago to a stockbroker’s clerk, but divorced him in 1906.