Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-10-18
CHAPTER III.


The little basket chaise drew I'D 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 alighted helping
out little child. The two ran lightly up the
steps.
The hall was deserted when the pair enter
ed it.
Where S Aunty Jacob ?" cried the young
mother, IN a gay, sweet voice. 50 Her chair is
empty. Shall we find her ?"
She moved lightly across the floor and then
her eyes suddenly resting upon the grand fig
ure and stern face of the returned soldier, she
came to an abrupt halt. Cry of terror and
horror, strangely mingled, came from her
white lips. Her face blanched; her limbs
trembled; she painted for breath.
The father and daughter stood face to face
after separation of nine long yearsl
The Colonel scarcely recognized the sallow,
romping little creature he had left, in this
magnificent woman. Her tall and slender fig
ure was instinct with a stately grace. Her
every movement Indicated refinement and
thorough breeding.
The Colonel did not move toward her, nor
did the sternness of his countenanee relax.
His daughter took a step to ward him. a cruel
agitation convulsing her frame Her arms
dropped and her hands were clasped together
1t seemed as if she would have knelt before
him.
Father! o father" she cried, in an an
appeal. EaUu6r, speak TO me
That pleading cry went to the Colonels
soul. He forgot his daughters error, remem-
berlng that she was his child-hs only child.
His heart melted within him. He silently
opened his arms, and with a gasping cry, Ig-
malta 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 careses the Colonel showered upon her
head and face. Then he drew her to sofa
still enfolding her in his arms.
Father" whispered Ignatia brokenly, ''do
you know? Has Aunt Jacob told you"
., know all my daughter" answered the
Colonel gently.
"And you forgive me? You will not cease
"to love me ?''
The father answered only by soft caress
Her terror and anguish aroused his tender
ness and pity, and he had never in all her life
loved her with such yearning love as he felt
for her at this moment when she lay tremb-
ling 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"
ut is nearly three years, father" was the
low reply. 81 have not seen him since the
child was three months old"
'Do you love HIM still ~ asked the Colonel.
Oh no, mol" she murmured. 81 would
rather die than live with him as his wife!"
''And this child is yours aud his?'
Eyes, father. but she is not like him in
character"
The Colonel looked at the little creature
She scarcely three years old, and it was
easy to see that she had inherited no faint of
her profigate fathers nature.
"What is your name, little one?" asked the
Colonel.
Georgia Redruth," was the prompt an
swer.
The Colonel held out one hand with a smile
to the child. When he throned his tiny name
sake on 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"
"Doyou suppose, he added, " tha6Oaptain
Holm knows now that you are an heiress ?"
Il am sure he does not, answered the de
serted young wife. "If 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 quarrel?'
YES father; but it was not sudden out
break. He came home one day from the town
where his regiment was stationed in terrible
humor We found afterwards that every Of
ficer in his regiment had cut him, for conduct
unbecoming an officer and gentleman He
was obliged to sell out 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 heiress.
AT 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
,J,o1 ,,a1 10,
shall free you from any claims he may choose
to make upon you when he discovers that his
deserted wife is really an heiress. My first
movement shall be to procure you a release
from the william.
And until you have obtained divorce
from him, we will not go to Redruth."
CIVIL they let me keep my child?" asked
Ignatia.
"Of course, dear"
"Dear father" she said softly. my whole
life shall try to show my love and gratitude to
YOU"
ruth stalked into the room, Enthusiastically
anxious.
single glance set her mind at rest. The
Colonel held his grandchild on his knee and
Ignatia was looking up at him with grateful
eyes.
All is forgiven and forgotten" said the
Colonel cheerfully. ''Ignatia and the child
will start for London with me by the morning
tram.
81 will not take her to Redruth while that
scoundrel has the shadow of a claim upon
her."
The evening was passed pleasantly and with
out restraint. No further allusion was made
to Capt Holm, and Col. Redruth told stories
of his Indian life, charming his hearers
into forgetfulness of Ignatia's profigate hus
band.
At about 5wo o'clock the next day. Col Red
ruth Ignatia and the little Georgia took their