The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1871-10-21
LADY THORNHURST,S DAUGHTER.
CHAPTER I.
THE FATHERS RETURN.

IN all England.
The house is picturesque old stone
dwelling, which has stood couple of cen
turtles.
At little distance in the rear of the
house are 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 frst-class business abilities, ac-
tive in her habits, keen, sharp witted and
her own farm manager.
She was not woman of social habits, nor
particularly given to hospitality. There
was vein of parsimony in her nature that
made social gatherings at her expense a
positive pain, but she had come of a line old
country family, and her ancient name and
excellent lineage procured her friendly re-
cognition and formal visits from the various
county magnates. These visits were as
formally returned at stated periods, and but
for their small break in the even course of
her existence, Miss Redruth would have led
the life of a recluse.
Late one afternoon in May, nearly twenty
years ago, Miss Redruth was seated in her
drawing room, after her usual afternoon
custom, Her chair was drawn up before an
open bow window, and she was looking out
into the depths of an apple orchard, which
was covered with bloom, with a strangely
intent gaze. One might have supposed her
engaged in abstruse calculations as to the
probable yield of the fruit-trees, but q
second glance at her deeply contracted
brows and troubled face would have testified
that her thoughts had deeper and more
unauiet source.
She was a gaunt, grim woman of middle
age, and of masculine appearance. She had
a hard face and hard nature. She had no
tender Wpm3ntV ppntlp woman
sympathies, no sentimentality, as she loved
to say, no fondness for womanly employ
ments.
Redruth Moor was not an entailed estate,
and Miss Redruth had inherited it frem her
father. The present representative of the
proud old family was Colonel Redruth, her
brother, an army officer, who had spent
most of his life in India, and whose arrival
she was now mOmentarily expecting at her
home, after an absence from his native land
for many years. There was more of dread
than of Joyous anticipation IN the manner
of Miss Redruth, as the moment Of the Col
onel's appearance drew near.
What can | say to him. she muttered
uneasily. {" What viii he say to me when
he knows all? | wish the meeting were
over. All, there he comes"
The carriage she had sent to Sleaford to
meet her brother was in fact at that moment
seen returning at a swift pace along the
dusty road. 1t turned in at the wide farm
gates, and came Up the carriage sweep to-
ward the porch. Miss Redruth arose after a
mechanical fashion rom her chair, and went
slowly out into the wide hall, advancing to
the threshold to meet her relative.
The open carriage came nearer. Upon
the back seat sat a gentleman whose face
flushed at sight of her, and who took off his
hat as sudden rush of emotion swept over
his soul. The carriage drew up at the
porch, and the gentleman sprang lightly out
and ran up the steps.
Jacob! My dear sister!' he cried, in
deep, agitated tones, embracing her. g You
have not changed, at least, in the nine years
since we partedi''
Miss Redruth submitted to the embrace
and presented her right cheek to her broth
er's caress, but she did not offer to kiss him.
She was superior TO such small weaknesses.
" am glad to see you back in England,
George" she exclaimed quietly. You have
changed, l think; but then your life has
not been so quiet as mine"
She withdrew herself from his arm, and
led him into the low, quaint, pleasant draw
ing room.
The Colonel halted Just within the TIRES
hold, and looked about the room with an
eager, expectant gaze.
He was q handsome, distinguished looking
deeply bronzed by Indian suns, with keen,
dark eyes, a grand head, and black hair al
ready streaked with gray. He wore IRON
gray military whiskers, and his massive
eyebrows were of irOn-gray also, giving to
his noble countcnance a look OF sternness
and command that we'll became him.
"Whcre is Ignatia ?'' he asked, his face
suddenly clouding with disappointment.
Why IS not my child here to welcome
hpr a hCr2 Sha- no - not III .,
NO, George answered Miss Rcdruth
with embarrassment. She does not know
that you are expected to-day. | thought it
best not to tell her, and-and sent her cut
in her little pony ohaiso for a drive"
" intending to let her find me here on her
return?" said the Colonel, his brow clearing.
" You meant to surprise her? VIII she be
back soon?''
"Sit down. George" said Miss Rcdruth
thing 10 tell you before Ignatia comes. Did
did you hear anything over at Sleaford
Did you meet any one you used to know?"
4" ] did not said the Colonel wondcringly
seating himself at . window commanding q
view of the read. Was there ANYTHING for
me to hear?" he added, with 2 sudden
change of countenance. The child has
not grown detormed, nor Lad the small pox,
nor
- HOW ora &c you tnlnE the enid IS u
demanded Miss Redruth grimly. " You left
her little girl, and she seems but little
girl to you still. Blu, she is twenty years
old, woman grown
I" Ah, yes" sighed the Colonel {. She has
left behind her her childhood. but she will be
something desrer and nearer to me than
simply child. She will be my companion
my friend. She viii console me ia part fci
the loss of her mother. Does she fuffll her
childish promise of beauty and groce2'
" She does said Miss Redruth, setting
her lips firmly together.
L" | know that she Is good said the In
dian soldier, with tender emphasis. " re-
member well her loving, sensitive nature
her winning ways, her bright, impetucus
spirit She had a noble intellect-you do
not mean, Jacob, that she is not so clear
headed as she was J" he added, IN sudden
alarm.
No, she knows enough" was the reluct-
ant reply.
"Ah p said the Colonel, trying to smile.
&c She has lover, then? That is to be ex-
pected at her age
" You should have come home sooner,
George" said Miss Redruth. People W he
have children should stay with them aud
take care of them"
q could not we'll come home earlier,
Jacob said the Colonel. g My daughter is
an heiress, and as such must take her place
IN society. If she has an unworthy lover,
will undertake to wean her heart from him.
Surely she cannot resist her fathers loving
counsels.'
d" 1t is too late for counsels," said Miss
Redruth, with a sort of grim desperation.
"Ignatia Redruth is beyond the reach of adj
vice. You need not blame me, George.
lgnatia herself viii clear my skirts of