Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-11-02

and filled mp his working hours by
studying for his political career; for be
was no mere fdinednt aspirant to legis-
| lative initials. You know what an in
tellect he had.
Zone of Mrs. Stauncel's oldest
friends was neighboring Mrs. Ohet-
wynd, widow of an Indian Major, who
/ had left her with fair income and a
beautiful daughter. The widow and
her daughter were constant visitors at
StauBeel; in fact, they were on the
most intimate footing, and Miss Chef
wynd was Lucy TO everybody (GeTald
| included) except myself. She was "A
brilliant blonde, with very fair com
pIexion, deep blue eyes, and a rosebud
of a mouth. Tall, graceful, SHINY
formed, and light III all her movements,
she was a model of feminine vigorous
grace.
1.-The young lady was clever in her
own way. She drew well, talked
French and Italian well, and danced
we'll: but she had no taste for music or
intellectual pursuits; therefore there
wasn't much sympathy, on that point,
between her and Gerald.
s'Gerald grew, L saw, fond of the
young beauty, and be was not the man
TO enter half-hearted on any cause,
Ere long, he was evidently passionately
fond of Lucy Chetwynd. He told her
so, and the girl confessed her penchdRt
for him, for she was fond of him-very
few girls would not have been so. And
her mother, thorough woman OF the
world, was alive to the eligibility OF
Mr.. Stauncel's eldest son-Mr. Staun-
eel being a rich and long descended
landowner. Generally you don't find
the qualities united.
Lucy behaved very prettily. That's
a queer word, isn't it d? But it means
Just what / think. Pretty her de-
meanor, and manner, and speeches to
him were, loving / never thought
them. She was rather diStrdite at
times when he used to try to make her
as enthusiastic as himself, over Byron
and Edgar Poe, or ran on for an hour
descanting on MoZart's sonatas. Mn
sic to him was his life-blOod; with her
it was a pretty accomplishment. Still,
to all appearance, they seemed to suit
each other well. But the engagement
seemed only half one.
sin the summer, down came a visi-
tor He had been a tuft at Christ
church in Gerald's time, and an ally of
his on the river. He was a handsome
man, rather inSOucidnt in manner; and
stupid in his ideas, or lack of them.
But he was Raoul, fifth Viscount Des-
serton, and owner of half a Welsh
county. That fact his admirers never
forgot, aud it threw a haze of romance
and intellect round him. And the Wis
count never forgot it himself.
"He seemed very rIuch struck with
Lucy Chetwynd's beauty. Indeed, her
tranquil loneliness was eminently adapt
ed to catch admirers by a coup G@H
Aud the young lady even while know
ing Gerald's fondness, and really fond
of him herself, was not indisposed to
receive peers chances of admiration.
So matters went on for some days.
''AIrs. Chetwynd was an old cam
paigner. The glitter of coroner daz.
lied her and made her feel thankful
that the engagement between her
daughter and Stauncel was only an en-
bryO one. And so she gave her dsugh-
ter sundry secret instructions.
81 don't think, looking back. that at
first Lucy Chetwynd had any intention
of lifting Gerald. But the girls char
acter was a weak one, and her love of
admiration has been fOstered from her
childhood. So she gradually listened
more and more complacently TO Des-
serton's compliments, for a season of
utter dissipation, at Paris, had Taught
him one accomplishment, which was
| - ~
| ly; and as Gerald was away day after
day on his electiOneering business
poor fellow, he'd come in at night and
| tell Lucy his days adventures canvass
ing, as if she should share them-the
peer had good chance of making play.
And he made it.
1.-The Squire and his son were too
thoroughly high bred to dream of
| treachery In guest. Moreover, the
| generous spirit of Gerald led him to
trust former friend, and especially an
university friend, implicitly; so he let
the viscount escort Lucy hither and
| thither, with the full trustfulness of a
coDfiding nature. But when those
natures are deceived, their wrath is
| terrible"
Gerald would have been, said /.
EYES" said Chasemore, ''you are
right "
"After about three weeks, and during
| Gerald's absence, Lord Desserton form
ally proposed to and was accepted by
Miss Chetwynd. The secret was well
kept, and he having procured license,
they we're married at church near the
parish; then Lord and Lady Desserton
went suddenly abroad, accompanied by
Miss Chetwynd. rr.ls. ....
''The old Squire's first intimation of
the news was a letter we'll and craftily
written by Mrs. Chetwynd. 1t dwelt
much on the incompatibility of tenn
per, &c, of her daughter and his son,
and ended by every wish for Mr. Ger
aid Stauncel's happiness. When Ger
aid returned flushed with success, flor
he was returned by mBiority,) his
mother met him, aud lovingly, tear
fully broke the news to him. He lis
tened TO her, and then rushed into the
old hall, where was pacing up and
down, sorely i'll at ease. His face was
flushed crimson, and his eyes ghttering
as you have seen them once or twice
when he was in fury. He seized my
arm like vice, and his working lips
showed how the fierce wrath within
| choked bis words. ..F.-.
''You heard the news, Casennore," he
said at last. lyon know what that vii.
liam has done. You know he's robbed
me of Lucy. Smooth-tohgued, lying,
treacherous' cur Curse him / He's
taken advantage of my miserable weak
ness and blighted by life" Ess
/ Hush, Gerald, said /, ''the ser.