The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-02-09
THE PROPHECY
OR,
THE BRIDE OF FATE.

but II finally exhausted itself. and the SOFT lnuied
| sound Of falling snow hled the atmosphere.
The history OF the ruined family who had occupied
| the decaying mansion was OF common occur
renee Ia tie Old dominion in IT'D palny days.
| from father to son they had lived beyond their
MEANS keeping oDen house, and entertaining ali
who asked hospitality at their hands with reck-
essness OF expense that was almost royal In Its pro
fusion.
Acre after acre was shorn from their broad do
mains TILL the Vale, as the old place was called,
with small farm attached 10 1t, was all that
NAMED OF the once princely estate belonging 10 the
Faicorers.
Reginald Talconer the last one OF them who had
possessed it, was now driveng Old man, rrem-
Ding on the brink Of the grave who, by the terms
Of the contract when he parted from his properly
was to in the house and be taken OF by
the new purchaser, whose name was Ashford, TIL
death released HIM from the mortal coil which had
become sad burden to him.
III his youth Reg maid Falconer had been CAV,
rolekins man, devoted to field Sports and fond Vi
gay companionshp. lie hunted drank and gambed
with reckless care for either health fortune ana
at sixty LIE was Droken-down man-ruined. Twenty
years later, on the winter morning on which
story opens, he lay gasping out life, win Few re
grets That the end was SO near for he had been
struck with paralysis, and to him death was prefer
able to the helpless nany of his present condition..
AS he lay Ii mis- bed moaning at intervals, he re-
called ms wasted lie, and thought, with remorse, OF
one act in it which he would have gwen much to be
able ~ atone for. In the heyday or his career he
lad married fair and gentle girl who, mad she
ived might have changed his future and made him
happy in his home; but she was snatched from nun
shortly alter the birth OF daughter ami he returned
with keener zest than before 10 the amusements
measure, Withdrawn him.
Fanny Falconer was placed with a sister of her
mother and her father almost forgot her existence
she grew into fair and wlns0me maiden, happy Ia
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 small inde-
pendence, and Miss Faconer was removed by her
latner from the gay town IN which she had 30 long
lived - preside over his disOrderiy home.
girl OF refined tastes could ind little that was
congenial in that home, and Fanny recoled from it
with an her tatuer TOOK little pains to over
er and respectable antecedents tor her companion,
and Thought his whole duty to his motlerless daugh
ter accomplished
Among the gag companions Mr. Falconcr collected
around him were many men younger than himself.
and among them was one named Harry Hurst who
boosted that he mad yet failed win the afec-
tons OF any woman he desired to fascnate. Hear.
Ing Of this poast his host significantly said to him.:
"There Il one on whom your powers are not to be
tried, harry Hurst; remember that. The girl refer
to mas destiny before her. My English cousin on
his way TO this country to visit my daughter and II
Things go pleasantly with them the Two branches OF
| the family will be united, and Fan may he countess
| yet. Clement Palconer is the heir OF his mothers
brother, and he Ii Earl Of Rochiae with handsome
l rent roll. Besides, the marriage OF Clement ana
fanny who are the last survivors OF their race,
i would be the fulfilment OF an old prophecyr
The young man to whom this CAUTION was ad-
| dressed was handsome enough TO win the favor OF
any one OF Ewes daughters, and, in spite OF his
vanity he possessed many good points OF character.
| He was generous and warm-hearted, capable OF
strong attachment, but incapable or self-sacrlhcc
| lie had been strongly attracted by the far Fanny
and the inttmation tnat rival was about 70 appear
on the scene only added strength TO the fancy he
slightly elevaiing his eyebrows Hurst careessly
| plied.-
"'Forewarned Is forearmed,' you know. hope
that you do not suppose me capable OF trning with
| your daughter, Mr.. Falconer, whatever may have
l done with 0thersn
al would not advise you not to attempt il; that Is
ALL" was the curt reply. al have lately remarked
| that you are more attentive 70 Fan than / quite
are de1cedy handsome, Hurst. Thought i far to
you and TO ner to tell you that nothing can come OF
q grand passion between YOU two Ny daughter
shall marry ~ choose, and her late Is already set
| tied.n
.Have you informed Miss Falconer OF the destiny
In store for herr asked Hurst with perfect cooness
"i0u are very consderate To warn me or dangerous
ground but think she should not be kept IN tue
dark as to the brilliant prospects opening before
| herr
| Tne elder man shortly replled:-
ut Will De time enough 10 open my plans to her
when Clement mas seen her aud had opportunity to
make himself agreeable TO her. As to the impress
SION she WIN produce have no fears, for she is Us
pretty little Wild flower as any would care to
gather. There "a the bell for dinner. / hope you
| quite understand me, furstr
ION, periectly-I shall be careful to avoid doing
anything 10 oi5please you SO lar as Miss faconer Ii
/ concerned
iftns conversation had never taken place, the re-
suit might have been different; but tue want OF tact
| displayed by the over-anxous father defca ed
| the plans he had SO carefully matured. The
\ young man Withdrew the delicate attentions
he had lately lavishcd on Fanny Falconcr,
| and she showed plquc and surprise at
detection. Hurst was the only one OF her fathers
| bis falling away from his allegiance was a shock
to her pride, and IN some slight degree trouble to
| her heart.
To win him back was ner one thought, and her
feminine wiles to that effect awakened IN the heart
Of her admrer deep and genuine passion. lie
curing the observation Of her father. He met her
in her walks, betrayed TO her the expected arrival
of her cousin and the result that anticipated To
| follow. He pleaded his own cause with the pas.
sionate ardor Of q lover and won it. Fanny ina
rined herself the heroine OF a romance and antici.
l thefI If Sna
| refused to give herself to her unknown cousin.
She thought her lover the handsomest and most
| fascinating or men. what were rank and wea,t h
| when placed In comparison with life passed with
Harry Hurst, even in obscurity' She answered the
question, most girls of hcr age would have done
by vowing eternal constancy to her adorer.
CHAPTER II.
THE DIsowSED DAUGHTER.
Clement Faiconer arrived 10 due time. He was
blum looking Engshmln, about thirty-nve years Of
age, with frank manner that at times was Amos.
brusque. He admired the delicate beauty Of his
proposed bride, and survosng that the affair was
already settled and Fanny ready to pick up the
handkerchief when he delgned to throw IL, he made
| few iover-Ike advances and fewer pretty speeches
to the lady he had crossed the Atlantic to win 40
sent venture; but Fanny had no idea OF being taken
possession OF In this Indifferent fashion. SIZE had
from lips she thought touched with divine elo.
quence, and she turned from this natter.offact
wa ,es er anes s woas o. .S Oasn
less. the nrst effect OF her remonstrance would
probably be imprisonment IN her own room, from
| which she would not be permitted to emerge until
her consent 20 give her hand TO ner cousin
had been wrung from her. On this reasoning
sne acted, and when the preparations Tor her mar.
rage were actually began she communicates secretly
| with her lover and arrangements were made for al
| eopemcnt.
These were successfully carried into eject. ana
one morning Mr.. Falconer aroused from Mis- late
| siumbers TO learn that his daughter was not to be
| found in the house; that the grounds had been
| vaniy searched for her, ana there was little doubt
that she had run away rom the bridegroom pro.
| vlded for her.
TO paint the anger and dsmay Of the father would
be VAIN attempt He storned; he ragged through
many hours, and when those VINO had gone In ptlf.
ton that she was aiready the vie OF Harry Hurst he
uttered q curse 90 bitter that those around him
| shrank from his cruel words
The iorsaken bridegroom spoke In defence Of the
| runaway
"Nay, nay, cousin, recall those words; you cannot
\ mean them. Though Fanny has treated me badly, /