CHAPTER XXIX.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 284, 25 July 1888, Page 4

CHAPTER XXIX.

I.ADY PKARIAs DEBUT. The Dowager Countess of Morfclake \vae the iGhqsfy woman in the circle in which

she glorified. Morfclake Hall, just out from London, waa her summer residence ; then she had her town mansion in St. James's Square, and her Tilla in Switzerland, and an old country house away up amid the Scottish hills, called ' Ravenswold.' No other woman had such jewols, such exquisite and costly laces, such stiff satins and brocades ; no peer in the realm drove a finer carriage, or paraded a handsomer span of horses in the park, than did the dowager countess. And with all this grandeur she was a queer little old woman, who wore a stiff black gown, a high turban, and enormous green goggles, and always carried a cane, with a priceless jewel in its golden head, which canesho rattled furiously on the slightest provocation. She was very old, and childless, and her nearest relative, Sir Bayard Brompton, was her heir prospective. But the do *ager was very whimsical and eccentric, and in view of her anticipated demise and fat legacies her favour was courted in the moot assiduous manner. She was godmother to Lord Strathspey's twins, and on the event of Lady Marguer ite's entree into London society she gave a grand ball. On the day before tho important event was to take place she summoned the earl and his daughter into her august presence. c Sit down here,' she said, as the young lady curtsied bofore her, {indicating 1 a footstool near at hand with her jewelled stick. ' Lord Strathspey, do you draw up your chair. I'm going to make you a proposition.' The earl obeyed with alacrity, foi even a British peer has respect for wealth. ' Now,' began the countess, tapping hor gold snuff-box, and inserting a pinch up her withered nostrils, ' I want to know what are your prospects for the girl there ? Who is she to marry ?' The earl smiled, while Marguerite flushed to the roots of her golden hair. ' She is so young, such a child yet,' he replied, ' that I haven't given the matter a thought.' 1 You haven't ? Just what might be expected of a man. And you're going to plunge her into London society, whore, before the season's over, her pretty face will win her a score of lovers. And she'll be s»ire to pick out a penniless vagabond for her choice. Girls like her always do that. Now, Angus Strathspey, if you want to save yourself a deal of trouble and your girl a broken heart, maybe, pick out a husband yourself, and let her know who he is befoie you introduce her into society.' The earl bowed and pretty Pearl blushed pinker every moment. • I've got the whole thing cut and dried,' continued the countess, ♦ ir you agree to it. I intend to leave your children something, as 1 am their godmother, or I intended, I may say. I can't tell whether that scapegallows son of yours shall ever touch a cent of my money or not. He's a black sheep, not a look of the Strathspey about him. Should not wonder if that crazy wife of yours had some method in her madness after all.' The earl winced as if a keen blade had pierced him, and made a protesting gesture, but taking no notice the dowagei went on : ' That's not the point, however. I may leave the boy something and I may not ; depends upon how he turns out. But I'll leave the girl here my entire fortune, title, estates, moneys and all, provided she'll take Bayard Brompton for her husband.' She paused a moment for aa answer, but Pearl had covered her face with her hands and the earl remained gravely silent. 'Bayard's my relative,' sho went on, ' and a fine young fellow, though he's as poor as a church mouse, and it would be a scurvy trick to give him nothing. But I like your girl, and I've set my heart on seeing them man and wife. Say the word now, and I'll have the deeds drawn up at once making her countess in my place. I don't mean she shall wait till I'm dead ; the day she marries Brompton she shall come inbo possession of everything, and me besides, what time I live ; I'll be their killjoy,' she added, with a grim smilo and a rattle of her jewelled stick. ' Come, Strathspey, what do you say ? Can't you speak ?' The carl glanced at his daughter, and, pale and affrighted, she crept to his sido, and hid her face on his shoulder. ' What shall I say, pet / he whispered. ' Oh, dearest, papa!' she sobbed, I can't leave you— 1 love no one but you !' ' Pshaw ! that's all moonshine,' put in I the dowager, rattling her stick impatiently ; ' don't blubber like a baby now, and spoil your cyec. You won't have co leave your father, he can live with you. What do you say ?' 1 Let me have time to consider — let me .•cc the young baronet,' said the earl. But the countess brought down her stick with a decided, No ! ' Now or never ! I give you ten minutes,' shes-ud, drawing out her watch, and laying it before her ; 'at the end of that time I withdraw the offer.' She caught up a silver bell and clashed it violently. A French maid flew to answer. : ' My jewel. case !' snapped the countess. The maid sot it befoi c her, and retired. 1 Now,' said the countess, as she unlocked it and threw back the lid ; ' see there !' Pearl uttered a cry of girlish delight as she beheld the dazzling contents. Diamonds like stars of living light, milky pearls in strings and in clusters, sea-green emeralds and blazing rubies, garnets, amethysts, set in every conceivable form and design. 'They are yours,' said the dowager, curtly. ' You may take them home with you, and array yourself in them ; and tomorron night I'll present you to the London world as the Countess of Mortlake. What do you say? Only two minutes now.' Despito his own rank and wealth, the earl was dazzled. It was enviable position for his child. The young man, a$ Jie remembered him, was agreeable and handsome ; she would learn to love him in time. ' What shall I say, Lady Pearl ?' he questioned. 'Just what you please, papa,' faltered the blushing girl, ' Then she shall marry Brompton,' said the earl, 1 Done !' cried the dowager, bringing down her stick. 'Girl, you are the Countess of Mortlake ! Take your jewels !' f To be continued.)

In the course of last year, 221 persons departed this life whose joint wills were proved in London for £23,227,000. The most widely-attended exhibition there has ever been was the Paris one of 1877 ; it was visited by over 16,000,000 people. Book Most in Favour with Tipplers. - The quart-o. According to " Vanity Fair," tho Czar is at times so insane as to require the constant services of a guardian. Miss Booth, daughter of the Salvation Army leader, is to marry Fakir Singh, a Hindoo. The reported early departure of Neumayer'e Antarctic expedition is disbelieved in Berlin. The Corporation of Ballarat have decided to light the city with electricity, and have also adopted the electric tram system.