St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1859-11-17

the world-thercby constituting me
the legal, as well as the nominal, pro-
tector Of my sister.
As | said Hildrcd was very lovely
perhaps she appeared more so bv
the side of her palmer sister. How
ever this might be, it did not matter
to me, for | would have given all the
light Of the world to Hildred, at the
risk Of going in darkness myself. The
love of a sister is very sincere and
unselfish thing.
When ulldrcd was seventeen, and |
twenty, the young heir Of Ravenwood
came back t. his inheritance. The
rich lands and grand old house had at
last tempted him from the gay French
city, and hcnccfUrth he would remain
for the most part at Ravenwood Hall.
50 said the busy tongue of rumor.
One afternoon in the decline of sum
mcr, as | was sitting close at my
work, liildrcd being in the garden,
there came light tap at the door OF
our little parlor, and before | could
rise to open it tall and strangely
handsome man strobe into the room.
am Paul RavenwoOd, and you,
madam, are, | presume, Miss Faith
Mlburn ?"
You are correct, sir, but may
ask to what fortunate circumstances !
am indebted for the honor of this most
abrupt visit ?" His cool uncerimoni,
BUSINESS had slightly ncttled me.
lie sat down quietly in the rocking
chair which had vacated, and, look
ing at me leisurely, pulled moss-rose
from the vase and tore it in pieces, be
fore he vouchsafed an answer.
"Well," he said at length, I" if you
wish to know | can tell you. after you
reply to a few questions which shall
ask. Your father bought this place
Of Hugh Ravenwood ~
He did"
"And paid for it, dare say?
"To be sure he did. His labor
paid for it ! 1t was settled long ago"
How happens it, then, that my IA
thcr gave no decd, or bond of convey
ance?" he asked, with quiet scorn
which revealed to me more of his char
acter than a months ordinary ac
ouaintauce could have done,
" 1t was neglected, and he died very
suddenly as you are aware. ProOa
DIV he felt no need of doing it he
mirht have supposed that his heirs
wHnId bo honest men like himself,r
"Iu5eod, well. pcrhaps he did
still people are liable to be mistaken
Won know. and if would have been bet
ter if he had aLidcd by the law. Bet
ter for Won at lcast.'
| but partially comprchended him.
and as | did not reply, he continued
" Although regret the necessity.
Miss Milbum. | suppuse | shall be
Obliged to tell vou that this GIVE
Cottage, as it is called, belongs to the
estate Of Eavcnwuud -cunsCqucntlv
to myself
| started from my scat in trembling
dismay.
SIR, YOU cannot be earnest? You
would not dcfraud two helpless or
phans of their only Inheritance ?"
He laid his white icweled hand
soothngly upon my arm.
Sit down, Miss Milburn. Don't
bc disturbed YOU can remain here,
of course, free from rent until you are
able to pay, or until You 90 not want
the cottagc-gct married perhaps" he
added with a touch Of sarcasm in his
voice. His words, and his manner Of
speaking, cut my pride, and | shook
of his hand, and rose up again, witt
more dignity than beiittcd poor tai
lorcss.
"No, sir: | refuse your offer mOst
cmphatical!y-I do not wish to be the
means Of forcing bcncvoIcncc into
your character, where am sure it can
have no righttul dwelling
A harsh answer was upon his lips,
knew by the darkcmng of his brow
and the glittcring of his eyes, but
whatever he would have said was
hushed by the entrance OF lllldrcd
She did not perceive the stranger at
| first, and so she came running IN with
her sunny curls ilQatInG about her like
cloud OF snnbeams, and sinking
down on a stool at my feet, she eX
claimed loytuIly-
"Oh, Faith, | have such a surprise
for yon! That wIte-leavcd Japon
ica-'
Her speech was cut short by Paul
Ravcnwood'a rising lnvoluntariiy, as
If IN homage at the beauty OF my sis
ter. His eyes spoke his admiration
and his whole bearing expressed re
spect and courtesy. mildred olusheo
scarlet and cast down her eyes IN con
fusion.
My sister Hlidred, Mr.. Raven
wood
He stepped forward and took he
hand for Il moment in her own. Hi
greeting was almost rcverential, an'
nearly forgavc him for his rough