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WILD MARGARET, ———~—s«OB8A
to him and say, ‘I can’t marry Violet Graham, the woman
you have chosen for me, and whose money would set me
straight; but behold the girl [intend to make my wife and
the future Countess of Ferrers!—she is your housekeeper’s
niece!”
‘Grand-daughter,” said Blair. ‘‘And what if she is?
tell you, Austin, Margaret is a lady, from the crown of
her head to the soles of her feet!”? » :
‘‘T daresay. Iam sure she is, if yousay so. Youarea
very good judge. But, my dear Blair, you can’t expect
. @verybody to'’see her with your eyes, especially an old
man who has outlived theage of romance! Miss Margaret,
With all her beauty, and grace, and refinement, will be his
housekeeper’s granddaughter—and nothing more to him.
€ will, to put it plainly, be very mad, my dear Blair.”’
“Well!” said Blair, with the Leyton frown on his hand. «
Some face, and the firm look about his lips which when
Seen by his friends was understood by them to mean that
-he had made up his mind—‘‘ what then?” ;
_ Austin Ambrose raised his eyebrows and looked just
‘over Blair’s head with a smile. .
“What then? Well, you ought to know better than I
whether you can afford to quarrel right out with your
uncle, the great earl.’’
Blair flushed. ~ Be
‘What can he do to me—or her?”’ he asked. .
“He can’t order you off to instant execution, as he
would no doubt like to do,’’ said Ambrose, ‘** but he can
Injure your prospects very materially, my dear Blair.
Oh, I know about the title and estate,’ he went on, as”
Blair opened his lips. ‘‘Those must come to you—lucky
beggar that you are! But there is something more and
beyond those. The earl has a large personal property,
a vast sum of money, that he can leave as he pleases——’?
‘Tow do you know that?” demanded Blair, with a faint:
Surprise,
The slightest flush rose to Austin Ambrose’s face.
“Well,” he replied, ‘‘I only imagine so. Like most
- people, I know that the earl has not lived up to a half, or
& quarter of his income for years. And what an income
itis! He must have saved an enormous sum of money——:
‘‘Let him do what he likes with it!’ exclaimed Blair,
bluntly, ‘I have had more than my share already. Let
him leave it to anybody he likes. It is his own.” a
._‘‘Whom is he to leave it to?’ said Ambrose. ‘The
| Home for Lost Dogs?”
“ Or Sick Cats. I don’t care!’ said Blair, impetuously.
‘That is all very well, and very noble, and all that, my
dear Blair,” said the cool, quiet voice. ‘*But—pardon