The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-03-26
UNCLE LEIGH'S PROPHECY
BY CAROLINE CONRAD.

| NOtnlng, Drotner, TO VeX you, need
not have spoken" said Leigh Arnott,
meekly dropping his gray beard to the
hands clasped upon his cane.
"But you did speak, and you did vex
me. I believe you are as much bewitch-
ed with Marquis Carr as Rachel herself" !"
81 think him very promising young
mani do, indeed, brother Douglass"
"He is no match for Rachel. He shall
not have her. l had rather"
"Brotherl".,
The old mantle elder of the two,
Leigh Arnott-rose tremblingly to his
feet.
swell, "said the other, angrily, "what
was | going to say that you fly upon me
| like that?'
81 was afraid you would say something
to repent Of"
"Humphl Here, ,Rachell Rachell child'
A young girl in the garden below
looked up from the flowers she was wa.
tering, and at a repetition of the sum-
mons came upon the piazza where her
uncle and father were.
She was as fresh-faced and lovely as a
May morning. Her eyes were as clear as
a child's, her brow as white, open and in
genious. But withal she had look of
fragility that made one shrink inyolun-
tarily at thought of the wind q heaven
blowing upon her too roughly.
Chow can you look upon that face and
say what you did just now?" asked DR..
Arnott, triumphantly, as he drew the girl
toward him.
His brother looked and sighed without
knowing It'll
"I'm sorry I said it, brother
Rachel looked with timid anxiety from
one to the other. -
I'VE we're speaking of Marquis, dear
child," said the uncle, quickly, eager to
allay that look of pain.
But at that word the sorrowful ex-
preston deepened, and Rachel, withdraw
ing herself from her father, went and
stood by her uncle, caressing him with
her little soft hand.
"You and uncle Leigh are congcnial in
one direction, certainly" laughed her fa-
ther, shortly, "but I'm match for the
two of you"
"Hard as fint-hari as flint" mur-
INJURED Uncle Leigh; but Rachel only
drew nearer her uncle with little shiver.
"Rachel is good child-she will yield
to all my wishes an unquestioning obedi-
ence,s said DR.. Arnott, half questioning,
half imperative, and bending stern yet
loving eye upon his darling.
Rachel looked frightened, but she did
not answer.
answer, child" commanded her fa-
ther, loudly.
II love Marquis, father, murmured
poor Rachel.
"More fool, you," vociferated the doc
tor. ibid I not bid you anlove him?"
"You did, sir; but 1 find I cannot"
said the girl, simply.
"Cannot? WiH mot would be nearer
the truth, ungrateful girl. When was
boy children did not reply to the COM
mand of parent with their cannots.''
81 am sorry, sir" began. Rachel, now
very pale, while her uncle secretly stole a
reassuring arm about her.
"Sorry for what, you baggage-for me
or that scoundrel, Marquis Carp"
Marquis is not scoundrel, father; he
never did anything wrong in his life but
| to love me-"
He is a scoundrel for that. He knew
would never give you to him"
"Oh, father!'
"Not T."
Rachel did not answer, neither did she
weep. But DR.. Arnott felt somehow un-
easy under the soft still eyes. He turned
away with a mutter. ~
She called him gently.
"Father.n
/ He stopped without looking round.
1--WE always been an obedient, truth,
ful child till this, hayn't II"
| He nodded.
Because" stopping and clearing the
husky little throat, 81 don't want you to
be deceived .about-about me and Mar.
quis. 1 love Marquis and he loves me
and needs me. I'm all he has got in the
world. It would be wicked for me to
take myself away from him, and I CAM
do it. not even to mind you. I belong tc
Marquis, I want you to understand that
father-just as much as though was hi:
wife"
| The stern old man was glaring at hel
by this time, like some wild animal.
"Upon my word" he began.
i But Rachel went on quietly.
"When Marquis is ready for me, I shall
go to him, if l have strength and power
to do So" -
"I'll take good care of that" mutteret
the doctor.
81 only wanted not to deceive you,
would not disobey you in aught else"
With that, quiet and white as spirit
Rachel glided away.
i "Who would have thought it was il
her?'' exclaimed DR.. Arnott, in amaze.
"She may be her mother outwardly
but she's pure Arnott inside!' said Un
Gle Leigh proudly yet sorrowfully. "Yol
may break her heart brother, but you'll
meyer break her spirit"
! "We'll see, we'll see, nodded DR.. Ar
mott, pacing to and fro, and stoppin'
shortly before his brother.
J, "Was that what you meant with you
twaddle about dying young9"