Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-10-11
CHAPTER II.
lGNATIA.

The little baskct-chaisc drew mp before the
porch of the stone house. and the young lady
who held the reins tossed them to a stable lad
who was at hand, and alightcd, helping out a
little child The two ran lightly up the steps.
The hall was deserted when the pair entered
it.
"Whcres Aunty Jacob ?" cried the young
mother in gay, sweet voice. Her chair is
empty. Shall We find her|
She moved lightly across the floor, and then
her eyes suddenly resting upon the grand figure
and stern face Of the returned soldier she came
to an abrupt halt A cry Of terror and horror
strangely mingled, came from her white lips
Her face banchcd; her limbs trcmbled; she
painted for breath
The father and daughter stood face to face
after separation of nine long years
The colonel scarcely recognized the sallow
romping little creature he had left in this mag
nifcent woman. Her tall and slender figure
was instinct with stately grace. Her every
movement indicated refinement and thorough
breeding.
The Colonel did not move toward her, nor
did the stcrnness Of his countcnance relax.
His daughter took a step toward him, cruel
agitation Convulsing her frame. Her arms
dropped, and her hands were casped together
1t seemed as If she would have knelt before
him.
Father! 0 tather!" she cried, in an an-
guishcd appeal. Father, speak to me !"
That pleading cry went to the Colonels soul
He forgot his daughters error, remembering
that she was his chld--his only child. His
heart melted within him, He silently opened
his arms, and with a gaspng cry lgnatia
sprang forward and was folded to his breast.
For little while there was silence between
them, broken only by the girls sobs and the
soft carcsscs the Colonel showered upon her
head and face. Then he drew her to a sofa,
still Unfolding her in his arms.
Gather" whispered lgnatia brokenly, edo
you know? Has Aunt Jacob told YOU"
81 know all, my daughtcr,' answered the
Colonel gently.
"And you forgive me? You willnot cease to
| love me 2"
The father answered only by q soft caress
Her terror and anguish aroused his tenderness
and pity, and he had never i'll all her life loved
her with such a yearning love as he felt for her
at this moment when she lay trembling against
his breast.
"Aunt Jacob has told me of your marriage,
Ignatia," he said. 81 will not upbraid you for
keeping the matter a secret from me all these
years. How long is it since you saw Captain
Holm?"
at is nearly three years, father" was the
low reply. 81 have not seen him since the
child was three months old"
edo you love him stiIl?" asked the Colonel.
"Oh, no, MOI" she murmured. 81 would
rather die than live with him as his wifc!"
"And this child is yours and his?"
eyes, father; but she is not like him in
character"
The Colonel looked at the little creature.
She was scarcely three years old, and it was
easy to see that she had inherited no faint of
her protligate fathers nature.
"What is your name, little one 7" asked the
Colonel.
Georgia Redruth," was the prompt answer.
The Colonel held out one hand with smile
to the child. When he had throncd his tiny
namesake upon his knee his daughter knew
that she was forgiven.
She presently raised her head from its rest
ing-place, and told him her story. 1t differed
little FROM the narrative Miss Redruth had al
ready given her brother. 1t seemed, indeed,
to the father as he heard her. that the girl
had been 'more sinned against than SHINING.
"Do you suppose" he asked, "that Captain
Holm knows now that you are an heircss ?"
81 am sure he does not" answered the de-
serted young wife, eft he had known it he
would have returned to me. He never dreamed
that you were the next heir to poor Uncle
Ralph"
"You parted in q QUARREL"
eyes, father but it was not a sudden out
break. He came home one day from the town
where his regiment was stationed in terrible
humor. We found afterward that every officer
in his regiment had cut him, for conduct TN
becoming an officer and gentleman He was
obliged to sell ont his commission as soon as
possible after that.
He was full Of rage which he vented upon
me. He cursed himself for falling in love with
me, when he might have won an heress.
cat last he took his effects and mounted his
horse, and rode toward Sleaford at furious
pace. have never seen him since | do not
know whether he is living or dead.
"Your young life shall not be blighted by this
scoundrel!" cried the Colonel. "The law shall
free you from any claims he may choose ia
make upon you when he discovers that his de.
serted wife is really an heiress. My first move
ment shall be to procure you release from the
villain.
"And until you have obtained divorce from
him, we will not go to Redruth."
"Will they let me keep my child !" asked Is,
natia.
"Of course. dear"
"Dear father" she said, softly, tiny wholC
life shall try to show my love and gratitude tc
| you"
Before the Colonel could reply, Miss Red
ruth stalked into the room, unmistukably anx.
| ious.
A single glance set her mind at rest. The
Colonel held his grandchild on his knee, ant