Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1868-12-10
Mistellameous.
Brought to Light.
by THOMAS sPEIGHT.

BY THOMAS sPEIGHT.
CHAPTER IA DANGEROUS PROMISE.
1t was pleasant to Miss Spencelaugh to
exchange the binding glare of the hot
May sunshine, through the midst of which
she had walked up from the town, for the
shaded cOOlness of the morning room, in
which luncheon was laid out. with its vista
of grecnery in the conservatory beyond,
and the low musical plash OF a tiny fount
ain hidden somewhere among the flowers
for she had been down in NormanfOrd all
tho morning. assisting at the installation of
q new mistress for the school in which she
took so great an interest; tempted by the
fineness of the day, she had chosen to walk
both thero and back and now came in.
tired, indeed. but with heightened colour
in her cheeks. and an added brightness in
her eyes. which made her look thoroughly
charming.
She found hsrancle. Sir Philip Spence
laugh, already seated at table, immersed
in the Times newspaper, which had just
arrived by midday train, and demande
to be skinned through before luncheon
could be discussed in comfort. He beamed
on her kindly through his spectacles, and
nodded his white head as Frederick enter
ed the room. "A splendid day for tho
peaches, my dear, he said, and then re-
turned to his reading. Lady Spencelaugh
had not yet left her own apartments; and
as she was frequently not visible till din
ner. time, her absence excited no surprise.
There's something here that will inter
est you, Freddy, said Sir Philip, as laugh
ing one of his dry quiet laughs, he handed
the newspaper across the table to his niece,
marking a certain passage with his thumb !;
and then taking off his spectacles, he pro-
ceeded to rub the glasses with his handker-
chief, keeping his eyes fixed meanwhile on
Frcderica.
The passage indicated was among the
marriage announcements, and ran as fol-
lows: AT Bombay. on Goth March, Cap
tain George CliiIe Barringer, of the til
Regiment, to Euphemia. only daughter Of
Colonel Sir Charles Patterson, of Bryan
stone Square, London. A simp,e state
ment enough. but ne pregnant with much
meaning to Frederiea Spcncelaugh. She
could feel the whitencss that crept over
her iaoe as she read, and in her heart q
hollow aching pain, as though some vital
thread had suddenly snapped. and there
with tho gladness of her life had gone out
forever. But without his spect' cles. the
baronet's eyes were dim. and Sir Philip
suspected nothing.
Frederica had proud and resolutc spir
it her uncle evidently expected her to
make some comment on the news and be-
fore the pause had time to become an awk-
ward one. she had rallied her strength snf-
ficently to speak. Il think, sir, it would
have been more courteous on the part Of
Captain Barringer. considering the trouble
YOU have at on his account, had he writ
ten to you his marriage. instead of leav
ing you to discover it by accident. There
wus q tremuSus ring in her voice. which
not all her efforts could entirely suppress.
Oh, to get away to the silence and solitude
of her own ROOM
The service, my dear. that l rendered
George was nothing as between friends,
s. id Sir Philip; and at his age, young fel-
lows detest letter-writing at least know
that did; besides which, he was in love,
and therefore not accountable, like an
ordinary mortal
What could Frcderica do hut turn over
the newspaper, and make believe to he
suddenly Interested in the political news :;
but the words danced before her eyes. and
wild confusion of tangled thoughts rushed
madlv through her brain.
Last time | was in town. resumed Sir
Philip, as he helped himself to the wing of
a chicken, Il foil IN with my old friend
Dcsberough, whom had not seen for sew
eral years, and who was formerly colonel
Of the regiment in whicl Barringer is now