Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-02-11
THE PROPHECY;
OR,
THE BRIDE OF FATE.
CHAPTER l.
BY ELIZA A. Duruy.


filled the atmosphere.
The history Of the ruined family who had
occupied the decaying mansion, was one of
common occurrence in the old Dominion in
its palmy days. From father to son they
had lived beyond their means, keeping open
house, and entertaining all who asked hospi-
tally at their hand, with a recxlessness of
expense that was almost royal in its profu
sion.
Acre after acre was shorn from their broad
domains, till the Vale, as the old place was
called, with small farm attached to 1t, was
all that remained of the once princcly estate
belonging to the Falconcrs.
Reginald Falconer, the last one of them
who had possessed it, was now a dwelling
old man, trembling on the brink of the
grave, who, by the terms of the contract
when he parted from his property, was to
remain in the house, and be taken care of
by the new purchaser, whose name was
Ashford, till death released him from the
mortal coil which had become sad burden
to him.
In his youth, Reginald Falconer had been
Il gay, rollicking man, devoted to field sports,
and fond of gay companionship. He hunted,
drank, and gambled, with reckless care for
either health or fortune, and at sixty he was
broken-down man-ruined. Twenty years
later, on the winter morning on which our
story opens, he lay gasping out his life. with
few regrets that the end was so near; for he
had been struck with paralysis, and TO him
death was preferable to the helpless inanity
of his present condition.
Ac ha law II, HE had ~ =.
he recalled his wasted life, and thought, with
remorse, of one act in il which he would
have given much to be able to atone for. In
the hey-day of his career, he had married
fair and gentle girl, who, had she lived, might
have changed his future and made him hap
Ply in his home, but she was snatched from
him shortly after the birth of daughter.
and he returned with keener zesi than be-
fore to the amusements irom which the in
iluence Of Mrs. Falconer had, in Il measure.
Withdrawn him.
Fanny Falconer was placed with Il sister
of her mother, and her father almost forgot
her existence She grew into fair and win
some maiden, happy in the home in which
she had been placed, unconscious of the
dark future that lay before her. AT the age
OF seventeen, her aunt died, leaving her
small independence, and Miss Falconer was
removed by her father from the ray town in
which she had so long lived, to preside over
his disorderly home.
n girl of refined tastes could find little that
was eongenial in that home, and Fanny re-
cooled from il with an aversion her father
took little pains to overcome. He found an
elderly woman OF staid character and rr
spectacle antecedents for her companion.
and thought his whole duty to his mother
less daughter was accomplished.
AnnnU tho ppr1f,at,tppc Ar
collected around him were many men young
cr than himself, and among them was one
named Harry Hurst, who boosted that he
had never yet failed to win the affections of
any woman he desired to iascinate. Hear
ing of this boast, his host significantly said
to him:
"There is one on whom your powers are
not TO be tried, Harry Hurst remember
that. The girl refer to, has destiny be
fore her. My English cousin is on his way
10 this country to visit my daughter, and il
things go pleasantly with them, the two
branches of the family will be united and
Fan. may be a countess yet. Clement Fall
coner is the heir OF his mothers brother and
he Is Earl OF Rochdale, with handsome
rent-roll. Besides, the marriage of Clement
aud Fanny, who are the last survivors of
their race, would be the fulflment of an old
prophecy"
The young man to whom this caution was
addressed was handsome enough 10 win the
favor of any one of Ewes daughters. and in
spite OF bis vanity, he possessed many good
points OF character. He was generous and
warm hearted-capablc of strong attach.
meni, but incapable Of self-sacfiiice He
had been strongly attracted by the fair Fan
ny,and the iniimation that rival was about
to appear on the scene, only added STRENGTH
10 the fancy he had taken to the neglected
daughter OF the house. Slightly eleyatinr
his eyebrows, Hurst carelessly replied
'Forewarned is forcarmsd,' you know.
hope that you do not suppose me capable
of triding with your daughter, Mr.. Falconer,
whatever may have done with others n
Il would not advise you to attempt It /:
that is all, was the curt reply. ii have
lately remarked that you are more attentive
to Fan. than quite like-she is Romantic.
as most girls are, and you are deuccdly hand
some, Hurst. | thought il fair To Won. and
to her, to tell you that nothing can come of
q grand passion between you two. NV
daughter shall marry as | choose, and her
fate is already settled.
sHave you informed Miss Falc0pcr Of the
destiny in store for herr asked Hurst. with
perfect GOODNESS. .You are very considcrn,e
to warn me OIL dangerous ground, bit |
think she should not be kept in the dark as
70 The brilliant prospects opening before
The elder man shortly replied;
~ VIII be time enough to open my plans
To her when Clement has seen her and had
opportunity to make himself agreeable to
her. As TO the impression She viii produce
have no fears, for she is as pretty a little
wild-Hower as any man would care to gather.
There IS the bell Tor dinner. | hone Won
quite understand me, Hurst"
"Oh, perfectly-I shall be careful 10 AVOID
doing anything TO displcase you so far as
Miss Falconer is concerned.
Ii this conversation had never taken place.
the result might have been different; but the
want Of tact displayed by the oyer.anNous
father defeated the plans he had SO carefully
matured. The young man withdrew Tho
delicate attentions he had lately layishcd an
Fanny FalcOner, and she showed pioue and
surprise at his detection. Hurst was thu
only one OF her fathers guests TO whom She
had shown any favor and his falling ava,
from his allegiance was shock to her pride
and in some slight degree Il trouble to he
heart.
To win him back was her one thought .ant
her feminine wies TO that effect awakened
IN the heart Of her admirer deep and genu
me passion, lie found means 10 make thi
known to her without mourning the obsrr
walton Of her father He met her in he
walks, betrayed TO her the expected arriya
OF her cousin, and the result that was antici
pated to follow He pleaded his own cans
with the passionate ardor of a lover an,
won it. Fanny imagined herself the hcron
of n romance. and anticipated persecution d
the hands OF her father if she refused TO civ
herself to her unknown cousin
She thought her lover the handsomest an
most fascinating Of men what were ran
and wealth when placed in comparison vii
life passed with Harry Hurst, even in ol
security. She answered the question as mo-
girls of her age would have done, by yowin
eternal eonstancy to her adorer
CHAPTER II.
THE plsowNED DAUGHTER.
Clement Falconer arrived in due tim,