Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-10-19

; - 1t Is too late icf Gounsels, said Miss Red
ruth, with q sort of grim desperation. Ig-
malta Redruth is beyond the reach of advice
You need not blame Inc, George Ignatia her
self will clear my skirts of blame 1t is NOT
my fault if she has wrecked your homes and
made herself a bed of living Goals to lie on
The Colonies face grew suddenly pale The.
griz2led moustache on his upper lip trembled
conyusiyely.
what has she done ?" he asked, in hoarse
whisper.
Marreda dissoltte fellow"
Married Good Heavens ~
:" 1t is so, George" said Miss Redruth. ''She
has been married nearly four years
-Four years And you never told me
Sue never wrote that she was married. Four
years.
Yes. Let me tell YOU how il happened
About four years ago, a regiment was sta
toned within twenty miles of us, and ibs Off
GERS were TO be met at all tAe best houses IN
this part of the county, Ignatia was but a
schoolgirl, under gOyerness, 20 whom l left
the direction OF her pursuits and movements.
lgnatia had a number of girl friends wnom
she was often allowed to visit At the house
of one of these friends she met Captain Die
by Holm. He was handsome, after the style
girls like, | suppose, and became the rage rs
the phrase is. He comes of good family but
Is absolute. His own father has disowned
him, Heis thoroughly bad, but has a spe-
cious appearance. lie fell IN love with Igna-
tia and she with him, and one dav the precious
pair came into this very room and asked rny
consent to their marriage"
Wel?' sad the Colonel, his face glastly
white, his voice trembling.
"Of course | refused my consent said
Miss Redruth - sent Ignatia 60 her school
room, and after lecturing Captain Holm, dis
missed HIM from the house. thought that
was the end ofthe matter but il seemed it was
not. The upshot of the matter was that Cap
tain Holm and my niece ware married quietly
without my knowledge, by special license. at
S!caford to which place lgnatia and her gov
eness had gone in the pony chalse, on pre-
tence of wishing to match Berlin woUl, but
really to meet that fellow"
But how could he procure license TO mar
ry child Of sixteen without the consent of
her relatives ~
Captain Holm is not punctllious about
speaking truth, said Miss Redruth. bitterly,
:" He may have declared Egnatia to be Of age.
At any rate, he returned IN the chGise with
the girl and her governess and announced
himself TO me as Ignatia's husband. | did not
know what TO do. | dared not write to YOU.
And this prccions son-in-law Of mine--is
he in the house?' demanded the Colonel
STORMY, with lowering brows
=" No he lived here with ignaha for a year
or more, for would not let my niece go from
under my roof. He sold out his commission,
and the child has not seen him in three years.
| believe he is rowing about the Continent.
When he knew her, my niece was but snl-
low, Uniformed child. She IL now very beauti-
full, but that, of course, he does not know.
Neither does he know that she is now an hcir-
ess"
The Colonel arose and paced the floor with
quick and agitated steps.
Don't rarrnool ,,n rpn,,o - .c,l NJ.
kedmth. Have | not suffered? How could
! have done dhereutly;'
Tied to such a scoundIel who had not
even the virtue of faithfuuess-'
She need not he tied to him, George" in
terposed Miss Rodruth eagerly IL consulted
Mr., Ainsley, my lawyer, you know. He says
that it will be easy to procure divorce for
lgnata,"
Why should not the marriage be SGT aside
as Illegal;" demanded the Colonel
Miss Redruth colOred.
- Because -becauee--" she stammerod. You
see, George, the Holm are rich. Only two
lives stand between Captain Holms and great
estate
- And you want me-a RedInth and rich
man, to claim aimouy for my daughteri'
cried the Colonel, in siren, ringing voice.
" For shame, Jacobea. You would have me
trade on her wrongs? You would have her
accept money from this scoundrel?'
No, no. Hear me- Exclaimed Miss Red.
ruth. :" would not have the marriage de
clared Illegal, simply because there is another
person to be considered who has not yet been
mentioned"
" And who may this person be Z"
Ignatia's child :"
" Her child Ignatia's child. Great Heav
en- Am Dreaming"
No. ! wish you were,' said Miss Red
ruth. There is child OF three years,
girl. For her sake, az you must see yourself,
tho legality Of the marriage mustnot be qucs-
toned
The Colonel did not answer lie strobe
bnck and forth with bowed head and gathered
brows, and Miss Kedruth dared not question
him, nor even attempt to soothe him,
81 don't think Ignatia so entirely to blame.
She yentured to say, after little.
the Colonel gave no signs that he heard
the observation
This if turning point in her life" said
Miss Redruth, after another uneasy silence.
hope you don't intend to east her of,
George p
Still no answer from the Colonel.
Miss Redruth turned from the contemplation
of his face to the open window, her firm, hard
mouth growing firner and harder, as she com
pressed 1t closely. Neither spoke again until
a little basket chaise, drawn by a stout, shaggy
pony, came lesurely along the highway and
turned into the open farm gates ana Miss
Eedruth then exclaimed:
Ignaha IL come. How will you receive
her ?"
The Colonel answered in a hoarse voice,
without looking up
Send her to me. Stay--you need not tell
her | am hero. Let her come in here. And
let rs meet alone, Jacob.
Miss Rcdruth arose and withdrew the look
Of apprehension deepening IN her face.
CHAPTER III.