Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1871-11-15


bridge, place a chair and bring another
cup and saucer. Her Iadyship, no doubt,
will join Us at breakfast
fFhapk~; have already hreakfa <Ied,
F..jOined the visitor, irily taking the chail
placed. after prolonged stare at the
Baranet, who, having bowed in silence,
had resumed his seat and paper, with
difficulty, however, hiding his impa.
tience and anxiety.
Really, this an unexpected honor,
am sure remarked Mrs. Lyle, in the
same tone of welcome. 1T is most
neigh borly.'
Lady PenderIeith paid not the slight
est heed to this sentence. With her rnldr
hard, handsome eyes she watched the
footman from the room; then turning
the calmness, the haGteur gone-anger,
ungovernable rage, apparently uSurp-
ing its place, she exclaimed, Mrs. Lyle
Penderleith, Sir Gerard Penderleith, I
am here to demand from you my daugh-
teri
Your daughteI!' calculated Mrs. Lyle,
her assumed placidity crushed in an in
slant.
'Alman cried Gerard, starting up and
losing all control over himself.
My darling Alma repeated her lady
ship, laying stress OH the words. You
act your parts we'll, confess. Never
theless, you are aware what has brought
me under this roof, desire the restOra-
ton of my unfortunate daughter, whom
you'--and fiercely she addressed the
Baronet-'whon y0u last night enticed
from her mothers roof, despite her moth
er's earnest desire
'Alma--Alma quilted Penderleirh,
yesterday@ gasped Gerard, in comster-
nation.
Yesterday! This morning her room
was found empty, and !, her mother,
have come to demand her back from her
abductOr.
She had risen from her seat. She had
drawn her figure to its full height, aud
now, with a face quivering with pas
sion, confronted them.
For awhile they stood paralyzed by
surprise to answer Gerard's silence was
not Occasioned only by Lady Pender-
leith's announcement, but rushing over
him. stopping the pulses of his heart,
making his senses reel. came the
thought if Alma had quilted her
home, what could have become of her?
Where was she at that moment? What
accident could have happened2
Mrs Lyle was the first to recover her
SELF Reassuming the roieShe had mark
ed out, she said quietly, Ny dear Lady
Penderleith, pray be composed; there is
some mistake herel That Sir Gerard
Penderleith intended to elope with
Alma last night, having failed to obtain
your consent TO his suit, |, AS he, will
confess. Also that an appointment WAS
made; but to his surprise, that appoint
ment your daughter did not keep. We
know nothing of her, nor where she has
gOne-if she has gone! But this instant,
we were attributing my dear niece's
non-appearance to the fact that your
Ladyship had detained her.
Lady Penderleith looked unninching-
ly into the others face while she spoke,
then, her lips contracted, said, scarcely
moving a muscle, it is lieg
Your ladyship!' exclaimed:Mrs. LYLE,
rising VI haAghtily: If / Dc NOT ring
for my servant to show your ladyship
out, and at once end this painful inter
view, 1t is because Ihold the uncontrolI-
able anger you are in to be some ex-
cuse. repeat, my niece is not here,
that for what we kn9W,i,-aHd sue put
a stress on the sentenceL'she is yet at
Penderleith.
1t Is, I say a lieH reioinsd ~ L!;ss.-utiner,
@ttn""H :. cnange of manner and tone.
Look! Could have stopped her? Here
is proof 1 did not. This was found in
her dressing:rOOm by her maid who
brought it to me two hours ago.
As she spoke she threw an open letter
on the table. The Baronet immediate
ly recognising the handwriting, seizing
it, read the few hurriedIy-written lines
with avidity and consternatIon. They
ran,
"DEAREST MOTHER:
In sorrowI contemplate my intend
cd disObedience to your wish. but with