Connecticut western news., 1871-10-20
LADY THORNHURST'S DAUGHTER.
THE FATHERS RETURN.

the most fertile in Lincolnshire, perhaps in all England. 8.s.
 The house is picturesque old stone dwell tug, which has stood couple of centuries.
 ,s little distance in the rear of the house are sutbuildings, all indicative of the ex- trema 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 abilities ac- tive in her habits, keen, sharp-witted, and her own farm manager.
 She was not a woman of social habits, nor particularly given to hospitality. There was 8 vein of parsimony in her nature, that made social gatherings at her expense a positive pain, but she had come of fine old county family, and her ancient name and excellent lineage procured her friendly recognition and formal visits from the various county mag mates. These visits were as formally returned at stated periods, and but for her small break in the even course of their existence, Miss Redruth would have led the! life of re- cluse.
 Late one afternoon in May, nearly twenty years ago, Miss Redruth was seated in her drawing-room, after her usual afternoon cus- tom, 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 8 strangely intent gaZe One might have supposed her engaged in ab- struse calculations as to the probable yield of the fruit-trees, but second glance at her deeply-contracted brows and, troubled face would have testified that her thoughts had deeper and more unquiet source. z i
 She was gaunt, grim woman of middle age and of masculine appearance. She had hard face and g. hard nature. She had no tender, womanly ways, no gentle womanly sympathies, no sentimentaity, as she loved to say-no fondness for womanly employments.
 Redruth Moor was not an entailed estate, and Miss Redruth had inherited it from her father. The present representative of the proud old family was Colonel Redruth, her hrok1 v>fSn vhn had ,nSf of his life ill 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 joy ous anticipation in the manner of Miss Red ruth, as the moment of the Colonels appear ance drew near.
 "What can say to him ?" she muttered un- easily. "What will he say to me when he knows anP Iwish the meeting were over. An, there he comes"
 The carriage she had sent to Sleaford to meet her brother in fact at that moment seen returning at Q swift pace along the dusty road. It turned in at the wide farm gates, and came up the carriage-sweep toward the porch. Miss Redruth arose after mechani- cal fashion from 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 & gentleman, whose face flushed at sight of her, and who took of his hat as a sudden rush of emotion swept over his soul. 1n6' ChrIlaS6 uTSW up db bll0 pO1Cll, ttuu thC gentleman sprang lightly out and ran up the steps.
 ''Jacob! My dear sis CT P he cried in deep, agitated tones, embracing her. '' You have not changed, at least, in the nine years since we partedl"
 Miss Redruth submitted to the embrace, and presented her right cheek to her brothers caress, but she did not offer to kiss him. She 1 was superior to such small weaknesses. II am glad to see you back in England, George" she exclaimed quietly. "You have changed, think j. but, then, your life has not | been so quet as mine." 'N | him into the low, quaint, pleasant drawing | room.
 The Colonel halted just within the threshold | and looked about the room with an eager, expecGant gaze. =. He was a. handsome, distingushed-lookin man, of some fifty years, with complexion deeply bronzed by Indian suns, with keen | dark eyes, 8 grand head, and black hair al- ready streaked with gray. He wore iron-gray military whiskers, aud his massive eyebrows were of iron-gray also. giving to his, noble countenanoe @ look of sternness and com mand that well became him. | "Where is Ignatia?" he asked, his face sud denly couding with disappointment. "Why is not my child here to welcome her father l She-she is not ill?" "No, George" answered Miss Redruth, with l embarra ssmeut. ''She does not know that you are expected to-day. I thought it best not to tell her and-and I sent her out in her little pony chaise for drive"
 "Intending to let her find me here on her return ?" said the Colonel, his brow clearing "You meant to surprise her? Will she be back soon?"
 perceptible uneasiness. CT have something to | tell you before Ignatia comes. Did-did you hear anything over at Slcaford2 Did you meet any one you used to know?"
 "I did not" said the Colonel wonderingly, seating himself at window commanding a view of the road. "Was there anything for me to hear ?" he added, with sudden change of couutenance. s'3Ihe child has not grown deformed, nor had the smallpox, nor"
 "How old do you think the 'child' is ?" de- manded Miss Redruth grimly. "You left her a little girl, and she seems but a little girl to you still But she is twenty years old,
 "Ah, yes" sighed the Colonel ''she has left behind her her childhood, but she will be something dearer and nearer to me than sim ply child. She will be my companion, my friend: She will console me in part for the loss of her mother. Does she fulfill her childish promise of beauty and grace?
 "she does," said Miss Redruth, setting her lips firmly together.
 soldier, with tender emphasis. II remember well her loving, sensitive nature, her winning ways, her bright, impetuous spirit. She had a noble intellect->you do not mean, Jacob, that she is not so clear-headed as she was p he sI added, in sudden alarm.
 "No, she knows enough, !" was the reluctant reply.
 "Ahi" said the Colonel, trying to smile. 'She has lover, then2 That is to be expect | ed at her age."
 ''You should have come home sooner. George" said Miss Redruth. s'People who have children should stay with them and take care of them"
 CT could not well come home earlier, Ja- cob" said the Colonel. ''Gdy 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."
 'It is too late for counsels," said Miss Red ruth, with 8 sort of grim desperation. "Ig- natia Rcdruth is beyond the reach of advice. You need not blame me, George. Ignatia her self will clear my skirts of blame. It is not
 my fault if she has wrecked your hopes, and made herself bed of living coals to lie on." The Colonel's face grew suddenly pale. The grizzled moustache on his upper lip trembled convusively.
 s sWhat has she done?" he asked, in 8 hoarse whisper.
 "Married dissolute fellow" Married! Good Heavensl" . |" It is so, George" said Miss Redruth. "She , has been married nearly four years."
 "Four years? And you never told me She never wrote that she was married. Four years 1"
 , "Yes. Let me tell you how it happened About four years ago regiment was stationed
 within twenty miles of us, and it's officers were to be met at all the best houses in this part oI
 the country. Ignatia was but schoolgirl under 8 governess, to whom l left the direc- . tion of her pursuits and movements. Ignatia had number of girl-friends whom she was often allowed to visit. at the house of one oi these friends she met Captain Digby Holm - was handsome. after the style girls like, ] } suppose, and became the rage, as the phrase is , He comes of good family, but is dissolute
 His own father has disowned him. He is thor. . oughly bad, but has spacious appearance. He fell in love with IIgnatia and she with him, and one day the precious pair came into this very [ room and asked my consent to their mar riage."
 "Well ?" said the Colonel, his face ghastly
 white, his voice trembling.
 -" Of course, I refused my consent" said Miss
 Re1futh to