THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
1 
'• ‘ No term or ceremony, .civil or religious, no 
notice before or publication after, no writing, no 
witnesses even are essential to the constitution of 
this, the most Important contract which two pri¬ 
vate parties can enter Into Matt Imorilal consent 
may be verbally and effectually Interchanged 
when no third party is present, and If It can be 
proved, even at the distance of years, by subse- 
No. 3. 
quont written acknowledgments, or oath of refer¬ 
ence, or In any other competent way, that such 
consent was given, the parties will be held to be 
married.’’ 
There was a momentary silence when the Earl 
had finished reading the paragraph. Then the 
book fell from his Ungers, and he covered his face 
with his hands. 
After a time Lord Ivor uncovered his face, and 
pulled himself together, as it were. 
" ll Is no use studying that horrid law-book,” 
he said, with a sad attempt at laughter. “ Neither 
you norl have brains, even if we were In a lit 
state, to understand It, Arthur. Of course, this 
terrible question must be settled with as little de¬ 
lay as possible.” 
“ What is to be done ?” said his lordship, rather 
helplessly; for, thoroughly kind-hearted, honest, 
upright gentleman as he was, Lord Ivor's brother- 
in-law was not over burdened with brains. 
•• Poor Jeanle was In such terrible distress, that 
l was obliged to make light of It," said the Earl, 
rather Irrelevantly. “ That fellow stayed at home 
this morning on pur post; to see her, and she was 
thoroughly overcome with the tidings which, In 
your absence, she was obliged to hear In silence. 
Hut It seems that he stated that he was willing to 
take a lawyer's opinion in the matter, and 1 think 
the only thing wo can do Is to agree to his propo¬ 
sition.” 
•‘But it the lawyer decides In his favor?” said 
Lord Sholto, In dismay. 
The Earl turned rrlght fully pale, then a gleam of 
fury lightened In the gray eyes. 
“ i will kill Blair," he said, slowly. 
"And be hanged for murder,” said the other, 
more calmly. *• Don’t talk nonsense, Ivor, it the 
decision Is In Blair’s favor, you must bear it like a 
man. and not add to Jean's suffering by yours. 
Surely, however,” Lord sholto went on, - there is 
a court to which one can appeal ?” 
•• ] have looked through this.” said the Earl, 
wearily, " and In every case the court has ratified 
the marriage. Besides, It would kill Jean. No 
matter what the lawyer’s decision Is, we must 
abide by It, Arthur, if it be for us, well and good; 
If It, be against us ’’—his face was pale as death as 
he concluded, brokenly—" Heaven help us both !” 
There was another silence, which Lord Ivor 
broke at length. 
“ I am going to write to sir David Calrnes,”he 
said. "In memory of his old friendship tor my 
father, I think he will help me In this. I will en¬ 
treat Sir David to come to-morrow.” 
•• i am sure he will do so," said Lin’d Sholto. " 1 
will send McCormlo at. once, lie is to be trusted to 
any extent. Sir David has always been most cor¬ 
dial to Fiorle and myself.'’ he added, crossing over 
to ring the bell, while the Earl went to a writing 
table and took out writing materials. 
"Send MeCormlc to me," said Lord Sholto to the 
servant, who answered the bell; - and order a con¬ 
veyance to be ready to take him to the station at 
once.” 
"Yes, my lord," said the man; and when the 
door closed after him, Lord Ivor looked up from his 
writing. 
"You must do something else for me, Arthur,” 
he said. " 1 cannot see Blair.” 
"Of course I will see him, my dear fellow,” said 
Lord Sholto; "only you must give me directions. 
What am l to say? 
" Just tell him merely, as quietly as you can. 
that we have sent, for our lawyer ; and ask hlui If 
he has any legal adviser for whom ha wishes to 
scud. Give him every facility,” added the Earl. 
" I cannot, see him.” 
•• No; you shall nut, Archie. 1 must tell my 
wife." 
The Eai'l smiled sadly. 
“ Of course you must, old fellow. Poor little 
Florence, how sorry she will be! Don’t tell her 
until to-night, when you are alone, Arthur, or her 
distress may give your guests a clue to what Is 
going on, and for all ohr Hakes that had best be 
avoided. Ask her U> be good to Jeaule " he added, 
softly, as he bent over Ills writing again. 
In a few moments the door was opened, and 
MeCormlc appeared. f n a few brief words Lord 
Sholto gave him hla instructions, and while he 
went to make his arrangements the Earl com¬ 
pleted his note. 
“ Use all diligence, MeCormlc,” said his master, 
when the man reappeared. " Perhaps Sir David 
Calrnes may return with you from Edlnhurgn to¬ 
morrow. I can depend upon your seeing to his 
comfort In every way. As you go through the hall 
send Burton here to me.” 
“ I am going to Send tor Blair,” he added, turn¬ 
ing to his brother-lu-law os the gillie disappeared. 
“Then I will go back to the drawingroom,” 
said the Karl, rising. " I don’t want your visitors 
to suspect any thing, Arthur; so don’t look too 
solemn when you come back with him." 
“All right,” said Lord Sholto, mentally wonder¬ 
ing how he could help doing so. and heartily wish¬ 
ing tor the time when he could take Florence Into 
his confidence over his dressing-room fire; and 
while the Earl went back to the drawing-room he 
despatched the butler with a message to Mr. Blair: 
“ Ills lordship s compliments, and If Mr. Blair 
were disengaged would he be ho kind as to step 
Into the library for a few moments.” 
In the drawing-room all was very gay and ani¬ 
mated. some one was singing at the piano a sad 
little Bong about grief aud parting, which seemed 
to the Earl almost prophetic, as he stood leaning 
against the wall, looking with proud, weary eyes 
on the pretty scene. 
Lady sholto, looking very delicately pretty In 
her black velvet dress and diamonds, was sitting 
on a sofa near the fire, holding a little screen be¬ 
tween her face and Its glow; she was talking to 
an elderly dowager and the old minister of the 
parish, a benign, kindly, white-haired man, of 
dignified presence. Ills was a face which wore 
the marks of sorrow, borne and conquered, and 
the Earl remembered having heard a sad story 
about him; how he had laid his young wife aud 
two little ones In one grave, years ago, wheu a 
ten ible fever had raged in the neighborhood. 
“ He was a young man then.” Lord Ivor thought, 
wearily. “ How did lie bear It ? How shall l bear 
my life It they give my darling to that man.” 
And the lady at the piano sang softly In her 
rich soprano voice, going on with the last stauza of 
her song: 
“ Beating heart, why thus lament ? 
Woe ia thine, then be content; 
Tho’ on earth no more we rove, 
Softly aisbinK vows of love. 
Find my heart, in this relief, 
Yielding; to these words belief, 
I shall see thee yet agrain. 
Though to-day we part in pain." 
“Is that his consolation?”thought Loid Ivor, 
looking at the old clergyman. “ VV1U that be 
mine?” 
At this moment his sister, catching his eye, 
beckoned him to her side, and leaning over the 
back of her chair, he tried to Interest, himself In 
a conversation about parochial matters, in the 
midst of which he saw Lord Sholto and Andrew 
Blair enter the drawing-room side by side; but In 
a few minutes they separated, and while Mr Blair 
strolled across the room to the piano. Lord sholto 
made an almost Imperceptible sign to his brother- 
in-law and sauntered lute the conversation where 
Lord Ivor shortly after joined him. 
“ He agrees to everything,” said LokI sholto, 
with some depression making Itself felt In his 
tone. " He said one law yer was sufflei. nt, but I 
persisted, and he at last named Cantlre of Glossln: 
we will sand a carriage for him In the morning If 
Sir David comes. ” 
"Does he seem sure of his ground, Arthur?” 
“ Horribly sure,” said Lord Sholto, ruefully. 
“ But he Is Just the kind of feUow to b? sanguine 
If he wished for anything," he added, to cheer up 
his brother-in-law.” •* Don’t, be down-hearted, 
Archie. All will be well yet." 
“ t trust so," said the Earl, rather sadly, and 
shortly alter, pleading fatigue from hts journey, 
he took leave or his sister and went to his own 
room when he rested from his fatigue by pacing 
up and down restlessly, Indefatlgably. all the live¬ 
long night- and finally throwing himself on his 
bed as the dawu looked ui at his windows. 
The morning brought a telegram from McCor- 
mlc, sir David could not be with them until 
about three o’clock on the same afternoon; but 
they might expect him without fall, and, allow¬ 
ing the distinguished advocate an hour for repose 
and refreshment, the "council of war," as Lord 
Ivor had called It to Jean, was fixed for four 
o'clock and a carriage was sent down to Glossln 
with a note from Mr. Blair, requesting Mr. Can- 
tire’s attendance at Sholto Hall on urgent pri¬ 
vate business. 
CHAPTER XV. 
SIR DAVID’S DECISION. 
The long night hours which had been so dreary 
for the Earl and Lord Sholto. had not been lees 
long or dreary far poor Jean McLeod, for during 
them she had not closed her eyes In sleep tor one 
moment; nor had she, for an equally short period 
of tune, ever lost sight ot the possibility that these 
lawyers might give the decision In Mr. Blair’s 
tavor. that decision on whlen hung, not only her 
happiness—that would be a small matter—but 
Archie’s. 
Towards morning, however, the maid Induced 
her to take a dose of chloral, and had the satis¬ 
faction or seeing her fall asleep at last, with tears 
still glittering on the long lashes, and a sorrow on 
the fair, pale face, terrible to witness on one so 
young. 
Jean slept t hrough the morning hours, and Lady 
Sholto, coming down to her brother with the tid¬ 
ings, wisely suppressed the other information 
Collins had given her or the dreadful night ot 
unrest her mistress had passed, for the Earl was 
sadly. “Very unwtirtliy of my strong-minded 
Jeanle, who was so eloquent about the rights ot 
women a few weeks ago. And now, Jeanle, listen 
to me, dear child. I must tell Arthur.” 
"Must ho know, Archie?” she said, coloring a 
little. 
"Ot course he must, dear child, but I tblnk It 
need go no farther than Arthur—which means 
Florence, of course—and we must consult a law¬ 
yer, you know. Mr. Blair cannot be very sure of 
his ground; but, at any rate, as he has chosen to 
abide, by a lawyer’s decision, we will do so also. I 
will write to my father's old University friend, Sir 
David Calrnes, to-night, and to-morrow we shall 
Have bjs decision. Meanwhile, Jennie, r am going 
to send you to bed, for you are not lit to put In an 
appearance at dinner w 1th that white face and 
those tell-tale eyes.” 
"I will go up stairs,” she said, wistfully; "but 
l need not go to bed. Archie. Cannot you come up 
to Florence’s boudoir after dinner and sit with 
me?” 
Lord Ivor hesitated a moment. 
"1 think 1 had better not, my dearest,” he said, 
with a slight const raint In his voice. "I shall have 
a great deal to do tills evening, and I think you will 
be all the better for a good long rest. You must 
try and sleep soundly to-night, dear child, and be 
calm and strong’ to-morrow for the council of 
war." 
“The council of war!" she repeated, vaguely. 
“ Yes. tho Council ot war, love,” he said, with a 
slight laugh. " We will have the lawyers here, 
my darling, and a regular cross-examination will 
beheld, you know.” 
“Oh, Archie!" she said, shrinking back from him 
with a face full of pain. 
“ We will make It as easy as we can for you, 
Jeanle,” he said, tenderly. 
"Oh, do not!” she said, with tears In her eyes 
and voice. -Do not—your klnduess Is breaking 
my heart. I deserve that you should be so angry 
with me, Archie, and you are so good- oh, my 
dearest and best, how I love you 1 how unworthy 
1 am of all your tenderness and trust!" 
" Foolish bairn,” he said, smiling, but with a 
very unwonted dimness In the proud, gray eyes. 
“It Is 1 who aui unworthy of your true, pure love." 
“ Unworthy 1" she said, passionately; "do not 
say so, Archie! Sometimes I wish—1 wish with 
all my heartr-that you had never seen me. I seem 
to have brought you so much sorrow and trouble. 
And you are so patient with mo, so forbearing, so 
loug-sulTeiing, that you make me feel ashamed of 
my own umvorthlness, of my wicked folly-” 
“Jeanle, 1 cannot have you talk so,” he said 
closing her lips with a Idas. “ Hark! there Is the 
second bell. lovo. If you wait one moment you 
will be able to escape to your room without de¬ 
tection; What! more tears, Jeanle—nay, It you 
are so childish, 1 shall have to scold you really.” 
At the door, win*u she had crossed the room, 
her hand still clasped In Lord Ivor’s, Jean paused 
aud lifted her eyes to his; It seemed to the Earl’s 
excited fancy as If she were bidding him a long, 
silent farewell. He took her to his arms again. 
"Jeanle, love,” he said, brokenly, “you are 
paining me terribly.” 
She made no reply, but putting up her two little 
hands, clasped them round his neck, and drawing 
tlie tall head down to hers, kissed him twice pas¬ 
sionately, then loosing ber clasp, she slipped from 
hts arms and was gone; while the Earl went slow¬ 
ly back Into the center ot the room, with a face 
full ot anxiety and alarm. 
“ Has that fellow good grounds for his asser¬ 
tion?” he muttered to himself, as he stood there 
for a moment In deep thought. " If he has—If he 
has, Heaven help us both !” 
Then composing his features as best he could, 
and assuming an air of quiet, indifference, he left 
the library, and made his way to the drawing¬ 
room, where most of Lord Sholto’s guests were 
assembled waiting for the announcement that 
dinner was served. 
« « I 1 4 4 « 
CD AFTER XIV. 
THE SHADOW DKKl’ENS. 
** Do you mean to say that he claims her for his 
wife—that he asserts that they were married by 
what passed between them at Langdale?” 
And Lord Sholto, with an expression of the deep¬ 
est astonishment on his face., looked over the table 
at his brother-in-law, who was lying back In a 
deep arm-chair with a cigar between his Ups, but 
with the deepest perplexity and distress depicted 
on hts handsome countenance. 
The Earl nodded his head slowly. 
" But on what grounds?” said Lord Sholto, after 
a moment’s silence, with the blank astonishment 
visible on his face still, 
“On these,” said Lord Ivor, curtly, throwing 
away his cigar, and rising from his chair, •• And, 
Sholto, bitter as the thought Is, 1 believe he has 
some show of light on his side. YOu know, or 
perhaps, you don’t know—the t'cotcli laws with 
regard to the most sacred and holy contract Into 
which two persons Can enter. You have heard, 
surely you have, of scotch Irregular marriages?” 
Lord sholto shrugged his shoulders. 
“ Of course 1 have heard of them.” he said. 
“ But 1 know nothing whatever about them, Ar¬ 
chie. Does Mr. BlaJr—confound him!—pretend 
that Jean went through an Irregular marriage 
ceremony with him at that wretched Inn?" 
"There Is no necessity fur any ceremony what¬ 
ever,” said tho other, gravely. "In this country, 
Arthur, a man has merely to call a woman whom 
he wishes to marry his wife In the presence of 
witnesses, and she becomes so, and vtce versa .” 
“ Legally his wife v" asked Lord Sholio. 
"Legally his wife,” was the answer. "Look 
here, old fellow, while I was waiting tor you here, 
l searched tor law books In your library. You 
don’t appear to possess many, but I ft und one.” 
Ho turned, to u table, and took from it a dusty 
volume, which he opened at a place that he had 
marked. 
“ Listen to this, Arthur,” he said; and, In a 
husky,strained voice, he read as follows: 
looking so 111 and haggard himself that Lady 
Florence’s loving heart ached for his suffering, 
and It was difficult for her to pay to Mr. Blalf the 
ordinary civilities of a hostess. 
The consultation, or council, of whatever the! 
correct term may be for the strange and unbstial 
discussion which was about to take place, was to 1 
be held In tile library, at four o'clock all the per¬ 
sonages interested in It were assembled there; 
except the one of all, perhaps, most nearly lnt**> 
ested, Jean McLeod. 
Sir David Calrnes, Who was a tall, thin, rather 
hard-featured man, had seated himself at the 
center table. In a large, high-backed chair, In 
which he looked quite official, while Lady sholto, 
pale and nervous, occupied a low chair by his aide, 
and her husband stood on tbe heartb-rtlg with 
Lord Ivor, wnose handsome face was very pale, 
but proud and calm as usual. 
Mr. Cantlre, a handsome, brisk-looking little 
man, was also seated at the table; he had 
brlghr, dafk eyes, regular features, an unusually 
pleasant, talkative manner, which was, how¬ 
ever, completely subdued by the awe he felt tor 
the distinguished company In which he found 
htmseir. A note-book and pencil lay before him, 
and he was twisting his fingers nervously In and 
out of his curly dark hair, In evident discomfiture. 
Mr. Blair, looking supremely haughty, resolute, 
and rather paler than his wont, Had thrown him¬ 
self Into a deep arm-chair, in an attitude of care¬ 
less attention; he was looking unusually hand¬ 
some, and Sir David Calrnes. who was a great ad¬ 
mirer of masculine comeliness, gave an occasional 
admiring glance at the proud, dark face, the Hash¬ 
ing eyes, and the careless grace of his posture. 
They had been silent tor some minutes; but pre¬ 
vious to that, Mr. Blair bad been exchanging cour¬ 
teous observations with sir David, on the weather 
and his journey, h nd Lady Sholto had answered 
rather hesitatingly and unsteadily truly, some re¬ 
marks which the latter had made, to her. All her 
thoughts were with Jeanle. and she was wonder¬ 
ing what was detaining her upstairs, when there- 
was the sound of a soft footfall on rite rnarhle floor 
ot the hall without, the library door opened, aud 
the young girl came In with a slow quiet step 
The few hours quiet sleep which the opiate had 
given her had not prevented Jean s face from being 
very pale, and the hollow circles around her eyes 
made them look larger and darker than their wout. 
Her lips were closed firmly, and the shadows lay 
heavily round the sweet sad mouth; but M r. Blair 
started at tho change a few hours had made In the 
bright girl; she looked years older, the mirth had 
faded from her eyes, and the mouth looked as if it 
had forgotten how to smile. 
All the gentleman rose at her entrance and 
bowed; Jean inclined her head slowly, as s v e 
stood at the door, In recognition of their saluta¬ 
tion; then, as she came forward, with her slow 
noiseless step, Lord Ivor went to meet her, and 
took both her hands tenderly in his. 
" Courage, my darling,'’ he said, softly, his proud 
gray eyes looking defiance at the handsome, dark 
face, which had grown suddenly very pale, over 
Jean’s shoulder, and he led her to a couch, on 
which she sank down, while the Earl stood, erect, 
proud, and mot ionless, at Its head. 
There was a momentary silence, then Lord 
Sholto spoke. 
" sir David," he said, quietly. " we have request¬ 
ed your presence here to-day in order to put before 
you a matter which is of the deepest interest aud 
moment to us all. We do not wish to enlist your 
sympathies on one side or on the other; we wish 
merely to place before you a fair and Impartial 
statement ot certain events, trusting to your 
knowledge of the law to set us right In the matter 
on which we are at varla ice." 
“1 shall be most happy to give you any advice 
or judgment In my power,” said Sir David, looking 
a little mystified. 
"And we are content to take your decision as 
final,”interposed Mr. Blair, suavely. "Your ex¬ 
perience at the Scottish bar, the well-known 
integrity of Sir David Calrnes, and the professional 
distinction he has obtained are sufficient guarantee 
that the decision will be a correct oue aud accord¬ 
ing to the law of this country, which has no abler 
exponent.” 
Sir David bowed slightly, Mr. Cantlre glanced 
admiringly at Mr. Blair, and Lord Sholto, breaking 
In rather abruptly, said: 
"We have given Mr. Cantlre a memorandum, 
which he will be good enough to read, and which 
will put you. Sir David, In possession of the facts 
of the case. Will you be kind enough to proceed, 
Mr, Cantlre ? " 
As your lordship pleases.” said the little so¬ 
licitor, briskly ; and taking up his note-book he 
proceeded to read a short, concise, and correct ac¬ 
count of the adventure ot Mr. Blair and Allss 
McLeod on the moor, with which my readers are 
all. 1 hope, well acquainted. He had not proceeded 
very far with his narration when Sir David Inter¬ 
rupted him. 
"I beg your pardon,” he said, ceremoniously. 
“ Did I understand you to say that the gentleman 
and lady met by appointment?” 
Mr. cantlre hesitated; his instructions did not 
contain the answer to Sir David’s question, aud he 
looked from one to the other of the persons as¬ 
sembled tor thetr assistance. 
Mr. Blair.sat quietly with his eyes downcast 
apparently he did not choose to speak, and no one 
cLse save Jean could ausvrer the Interrogation. 
The girl’s color came and went as Sir David re¬ 
peated the question. 
"Yes, by appointment.” she said, faintly, and 
almost Involuntarily she put up one little tremb¬ 
ling hand and touched Lord Ivor’s as it, lay on the 
head of the sofa, Instantly his palm closed over 
bei trembling fingers and he gave her a little reas¬ 
suring smite. 
“ By appolulment; thank you," said Sir David, 
quietly, making a uoteot the answer. “ Fray con¬ 
tinue, Mr. Cantlre.” 
The narratlou went on for some few minutes 
uninterrupted, when sir David Interposed again. 
“ You say tho lady did not contradict the asser- 
