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

Reduth. "I sent Ignatia to her school
room, and after octuring Captain Holm, dis
missed him from the house. ! thought that
was the end Of the matter, but it seemed it
was not. The upshot OF the matter was, that
Captain Holm and my ncice were married
quietly without my knowledge, by special
license, at Seaford, to which place lgnatia and
her governess had gone in the pony chaise, on
pretonco Of wishing to match Berlin wool, but
really to meet the fellow"
"But how could he procure license to
marry q child of sixteen, without the consent
| of her relatives"
"Captain Holm is not punctilious about
speaking the truth, said Miss Redruth bitterly
"He may have declared Ignatia to be of age
At any rate, he returned in the chase with the
girl and her governess, and announced himself
to me as IgnNtias husband. | did not know
| what to do. dared not write to YOU"
"And this precious son-in-law OF minc-is he
in the house?" demanded the Colonel sternly
with lowering brows.
"No; eliyed here with Ignatia for year or
more, for l would not letmy niece go from under
my roof. He sold out his commission, and the
child has not seen him in three years. | be-
lievo he is rowing about the Continent. When
he knew her, my niece was but q sallow, I'M
formed child. She is now very beautiful, but
that, of course, he does not know. Neither
does he know that he is now an heross."
The Colonel arose and paced the floor with
quick and agitated steps.
Don't reproach me, George said Miss
Rcdruth. "IIavc not suffered? How could |
have done differently"
cited to such scoundrel, who had not even
the virtue of faithfulncss-"
"She need not be tied to him, George" into
posed Miss Rcdruth, eagerly. / consulted Mr..
Ainsley my lawyer, you know. he says that
it will be easy to procure divorce for lgnatia
"Why should not the marriage be set aside
as illcgOl? 7" demanded the Colonel.
Miss Redruth colorcd.
Because because" she stammered. 'You
see, George, the Holms are rich Only two
lives stand between Captain Holm and great
estate"
"And you want mc--a Redruth and n rich
man-to claim alimony for my daughter" cried
the Colonel, in q stern ringing voice. " For
shame, JacObea. You would have me trade on
her wrongs? You would have her acceptmoney
from this scoundrel?"
"No, no. Hear me-" exclaimed Miss Rcd
ruth. 81 wouldnot have the marriage declared
illegal, simply because there is another person
to be considered who has not yet been mcn-
toned"
"And who may this person bo?'
"Ignatia's child"
"Her child Ignota's child? Great Heaven
Am drcaming?"
ono, | wish you were said Miss Rcdruth
"There is child of three years. girl Fol
her sake, rs you see yourself the legality the
marriage must not be questioned"
The Colonel did not answer. He strobe bach
and forth with bowed head and gathered brows
and Miss Redruth dared not question him, nol
even attempt to soothc him.
81 don't think Ignatia 80 entirely to blame,
she yentured to say, after little.
The Colonel gave no sign that he heard the
observation.
"This is a turning point in her life" sale
Miss Redruth, after another uneasy silence
81 hope You don't intend to cast her off
George"
Still no answer from the Colonel.
Miss Redruth turned from the contemplation
of his face to the open window, her firm, hare
mouth growing iirmcr and harder as she com
pressed it closely. Neither spoke again until {
little basket chaisc drawn by a stout shaggy
pony, came lcisurcly along the highway anc
turned into the open farm gates, and Miss Red
ruth then exclaimed;
"Ignatia is come. How will you receive
her"
The Colonel answered in a hoarsc voice, with
out looking up:
"Scnd her to me. Stay-you need not tel
her am here. Let her come in here. And lei
us meet alone, Jacob
Miss Redruth arose and Withdrew, the look Of
apprehension deepening in her face.