Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-10-12
Lady Thornhursts's Daughter
VII IA A~As
Tile rArnER's RETURN

THE FATHERS RETURN.
The farm known as Redruth Moor is one
ofthe most fertile in Lincolnshire perhaps
In all England.
The house is picturesque old stone
dwelling, which had stood couple OF CEN
turtles.
Alta little distance in the rear of the
house are out-buildings, all indicative OF the
extreme thrift and prosperity of the owner
of Redruth Moor
That owner, twenty years ago, as to-day,
was Miss Jacobea Redruth. She was and Is
possessed of first-class business abllltles' ac,
tive in her habits, keen, sharP-"lttea' anu
her own fam manager. 80.
She was not woman OF social haDltS,
nor particularly given TO hospitailty'
There was a vein of parsimony in her ma
ture that made social gatherings at her eX-
pense a positive pain, but she had come OF
n fine old county family, and her ancient
name and excellent lineage procured her
friendly recognition and formal visits from
the various county magnates.. lhese VISITS
were as formally returned at stated PERIODS,
and but for their small break in the even
course of her existence, Miss Redruth Woulu
have led the life of a reCluse.
Late one afternoon in May, nearly twenty
wears ago, Miss Redruth was seated IN her
drawing-room, after her usual afternoon
custom. Her chair was drawn up pe1ore
an open bow-window, and she was looking
out into the depths of an apple orcharu,
which was covered with bloom, with q
strangely intent gaze. One might nave
supposed her engaged in abstruse calcutta
tons as to the probable yield of the fruit
trees, but a second glance at her deeply
contracted brows and troubled face would
have testified that her thoughts had deep
er and more unquiet source .,,,
She was gaunt, grim woman OF middle
age and of masculine appearance: She mao
a hard face and hard nature. She mad no
tender womanly ways, no gentle Womahly
sympathies, no sentimentality, as she loVed
10 say, no fondness for womanly employ
ments.
Redruth Moor was not an entailed estate,
and Miss Redruth had inherited 1t from hel
father. The present representative OF the
proud old family was Colonel Redruth, hel
brother an army officer, who had spent
most of his life in India, and whose arriva
she was now momentarlly expecting at hel
home, after an absence from his native lane
for many years. There was more of dreal
than of Joyous anticipation in the manned
of Miss Redruth, as the moment of the Col
onels appearance drew near.
what can say to him. she muttere(
nneasily. what will he say to me wEer
he knows all? l wish the meeting were
over. All, there he comes"
The carriage she had sent to Sleaford t
meet her brother was in fact at that mo
ment seen returning at swift pace alons
the dusty road. 1t turned in at the wiG'
farm gates, and came up the carriage
sweep towards the porch. Miss Redrutl
arose after a mechanical fashion from he
chair, and went slowly out into the wide
hall, advancing to the threshold to meet he
relative.
The open carriage came nearer. Upol
the back seat sat a gentleman whose fac
flushed at sight of her, and who took off hi
hat rs a sudden rush of emotion swept owe
his soul. The carriage drew up at tn
porch, and the gentleman sprang light.
out and ran up the steps.
"JoCob, My dear sister!" he cried, i
deep, gitated tones, embracing her. "1o
have lot changed, at least, in the min
years since we parted J.
Miss Redruth submitted to the embrace
and pres ented her right cheek to her broth
ers caress, but she did not offer to kiss hin
She was superior to such small weaknesses
II am glad to see you back in England
George" she exclaimed quietly. ''Yo
have changed, think but then your lif
has not been so quiet as mine"
She withdrew herself from his arm, an
led him into the low, quaint, pleasant draw
ing room.
The Colonel halted just within the thresl
old, and looked about the room with a
eager expectant gaze.
He was handsome, distinguished lookin
man, of some fifty years, with a complexio
deeply bronzed by Indian suns, with kee
dark eyes, grand head, and black hair q
ready streeked with gray. He wore irol
gray military whiskers, and his massiy
eyebrows were of iron-gray also, giving ,
his noble countenance look Of Sternnes
and command that became him.
Where is Ignata" he asked, his fac
suddenly clouding with disappointment
"Why is not my child here to welcome he
fa,her2 She-she is not ill? "
mo George" answered Miss Rebuilt
with embarrassment. "She does not kno
that you are expected to day. 1 thought
best not to tell her, and-and sent her OF
her little pony chaisc for drive"
Intending to let her find me here on b.
return?" said the Colonel, his brow clea
ing. "You meant TO surprise her? Will ST
be back soonp
"Sit down, George" said Miss Rcdrutl
with perceptible uneasiness. | have som
thing 10 tell you before Ignatia come
Did - did you hear anything over
Sleaford? Did you meet anyone you use
TO know"
81 did not" said the Colonel wonderin
ly, seating himself at window comman
ing view of the road. "Was there an
thing for me to hear?" he added, with
sudden change of countenance. "Tl
child has not grown deformed. nor had Il
smallpox, nor"
Glow old do YOU think the child is
demanded Miss Redruth grimly. you Il
her little girl, and she seems but a-~litt
girl to you STILL, But she is twenty yea
old, a woman grown"
"Ah, yes" sighed the Colonel. She HI
left behind her her childhood, but she W
be something desrer and nearer to me thi
simply child. She will be my companio
my friend. She will console me in pa
for the loss of her mother Does she fulf
her childish promise of beauty and grace
"She does" sadMiss Redruth. setti,
her lips firmly together.
IL know that she is good" said the l
dian soldier, with tender emphasis. | I
member well her loving, sensitive natur
her winning ways, her bright, impetuo
spirit. She had noble intellect-you
not mean, Jacob, that she is not so clea
headed as she was p he added, in suddt
alarm.
mo. she knows enough" was the relu
tant reply.
"Ah," said the Colonel, irving TO smil
"Sho has a lover then that is to be expe
ted at her age"
"You should have come home soone
George" said Miss Redruth. people wi
have children should stay with them al
take care of them"
81 could not well come home earlier,
cob,P said the Colonel. "My daughter
an heiress, and as such must take her pla
in society If she has an unworthy love
l will undertake to wean her heart fro
him. Surely, she cannot resist her father
loving counsels.'
1t Is too late for counsels," said Mi
Redruth, with sort of grim desperation
"Ignatia Redruth is beyond the reach
advice. You need not blame me Georg