The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1871-10-21
CHAPTER II.


The little basket chaise drew mp before
the porch Of the stone house, and the young
lady who held the rens tossed them to a
stable lad who at hand, and aiighted,
helping out a little child. The two ran
lightly up the steps.
The hall was deserted when the pair en-
tered it,
"Where's Auntv Jacob p cried the young
mother, in a 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 malt. A cry
Of terror and horror strangely mingled
came from her white lips. Her face
blanchcd; her limbs trcmbled; she painted
for breath.
The father and daughter stood face to face
after q S ,paratIon of nine long years !
The Colonel scarcely recognized the sal
low, rompinc little creature he had left in
this magnificent woman. Her tall aud
slender figure was instinct with a stately
grace. Her every movement indicated re-
tinement and thorough breeding.
The Colonel did not move toward her,
nor did the sternness of his countcnance re-
lax.
His daughter took a step toward him,
cruel agitation convulsng her frame. H.
arms dropped, and her hands were clasped
together. 1t seemed as if she would have
knelt before him.
" Father O, iatheri |" she cried, in an
angushed appeal. " Futher, speak to me -
Tha5 pleading cry went to the C0lonel's
soul. He forgot his daughters error, re
membering that she was his child-hs only
child. His heart melted within him. He
silently opened his arms, and, with q gasp
ing cry, lgnatia sprang forward and was
folded to his breast.
For o little while there wos silence te-
tween them, broken only by the girls sobs
and the soft caresses the Colonel showered
upon her head and face. Then he drew her
to a sofa, still EMBEDDING her IN his arms
"Father," whispered Ignatia, brokenly,
ado you know! Has Aunt Jacob told
you"
" know all, nay aughter." answered the
"And you forgive me2 You will not
cease to love me?A
The father answered only by soft earess
Her terror and anguish aroused his tender
ness and pity, and he had never in ali her
life loved b er with such a yearning love as
he felt for her a this moment when she lay
trembling against his breast.
"Aunt Jacob has told me of your mar
riage, Ignatia,' he said. viii not upbraid
you for keeping the matter a secret ncsn me
all these years. How long is it since you
saw Captain Holm?''
=" 1t is nearly three years, father was the
low reply. " have not seen him since the
child was three months old
Do you love him still2" asked the Col
onel.
" Oh, no, no +" she murmured. I" would
rather die than live with him as his wife |! -
@ And this child is yours and hs?"
" Yes, 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 prohigat fathers nature.
"What is your name, little one?" asked
the Colonel.
Georgia Redruth," was the prompt
answer.
The Colonel held out one hand with q
smile to the child. When he he'd throned
his tiny namesake upon his knee, his
daughter knew that she was forgiven.
She presently raised her head from its
resting place, and told him her story. 1t
differed little from the narrative Miss Red
ruth had already given her brother. 1t
seemed ind eed, to the father, as he heard
her, that the girl had beer more sinned
against than SHINING"
:" Do you suppose" he asked, " that Cap
tain Holm knows now that you are an heir
ess 20
Z" I am sure he does not" answered the
deserted 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
80 gu parted in a quarrel?'
Yes, father; but it was not sudden out