, 1864-03-05
The Father.

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Il was as delightful summers morning
as one could wish to see--eosmild, 30 calm,
so gentle; while the odors Of a thousand
flowers, rising up from the scented earth,
added a new charm to the scenery around
the castle Of Glenavin. 1t was the anniver.
sary of the birthday of Margaret Maxwell,
the heiress Of Glenayin's towers and wide
domains; and, ere the sun was well-nigh
risen, she was on her way to the cottage Of
Dame Vaudeville, with present of bou-
quet plucked from her fathers garden. But
ii was not for the dame herself that the
present was intended. The dame had son,
named Walter, who had been from childhood
the playmate Of Margaret; and now that he
had reached the age of eighteen, Margaret
still continued their acquaintance, for the
simple reason that she saw no harm in it.
How could she, having received her educa-
ton at home-having seen nothing of the
world-and, above all, being now only six
teen, with no one but her old governess to
control her? TeF f
The nosegay was presented to Walter, ac-
companed by what to him was now become
more precious-a kindly glance from Mar
garet's re-Aashing eyes.
"Dame, l have such news to tell you !"
said she to the dame. any father, whom
have not seen from infancy, Is about to return
home. A friend accompanies him from
France-the Count de Baisseaux."
At the mention Of that name, Dame Man.
deyille uttered sudden shrek, and clasped
her hands in agony before her face. Her
son and Margaret endeavored to soOthe her,
but she declined their profFered aid, and,
begging to be excused for an instant, retired
to another apartment.
"She started at the name Of the Count," "
said Walter, rther addressing the question
to himself than any one else. "How strange!
Can she know him?'
"That isvery improbable" observed Mar
garet. "For eighteen years she has not left
this valley. and the Count never visited this
country ill now"
"Yet it is strange. What is the Count 5
age 2"
I" Nearly the same rs my fathers. He
has been described to me as an excellent
man, but unfortunate he lost wife, in the
bloom Of youthful beauty, towhom he was
tenderly attached and shortly afterwards
his only child was drowned, by accident, in
the Arno." .s ..,..,. 81.
After short time spent in professions Of
regard for each other, during which Mar
garet declared that, come what would, her
affections should ever remain with her first
love, Walter Vaudeville, the entrance Of
Margaret's governess, who came in search Of
her, was the signal for their separation.
Margaret was scarcely gone when Dame
Vaudeville returned to the apartment she
had Just left. With sudden action, she
asked Walter IL he was prepared to quit
the valley, and accompany her TO q distant
country! -,-..I
"What is my danger? whom must
shun y said he, energotically. a
"The Count de Baisseauxr' replied his
mother. 1This night we must leave the
valley"
"But shall VIC not return ]" said he.
"Nevor, while De Baisscaux remains at
Glenavin Castle"
Has he then injured you so deeply z
ale IS my bane + exclaimed Dame Man,
deville, with energetic violence; MY curse
my hOrrorl He stepped my early youth in
tears Of bitterness, and now, in ripcr age,
his fatal agency pursucs me still.
Sand for those tears" said Walter, see
ing his mother weep, "may the oppressors
life-drops flow May all
"Forbear, rash boy! Though all mankind
conspire to curse his name, still be your lips
silent! De Baisseaux must not be arraigned
by you; no, no, never by your
In vain did Walter Vaudeville beseech
his mother to tell him more Of De Ba!sseaux;
in vain did he beseech her to tell him more
concerning himself All that she had ever
told him was, that his father had died while
he was yet an infant; but more than that
she never would reveal. Some dreadful
mystery was woven with his fate, and he was
denied all clue to il.
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Each vassal's heart leapt high with joy as
he cheered Sir Hubert MaxwelIoh his return
to Glenayin. The wild minstrelsy Of the
north was echoed far and wide as the portals
Of his castle were thrown open to receive
him. What happiness was his, when his
lovely daughter came forth to welcome him,
and embraced him with tears Of Joy! Nor