Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-10-05
CHAPTER II.

| .t IGNATIA.
The little basket chaise drew up before
the porch of the stone house, and the
young lady who held the reins tossed
them to 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
entered it.
Where's Aunty Jacob ?" cried the
young mother, in gay sweet voice.
Her chair is empty. Shall we find
her2"
She moved lightly across the floor, and
then her eyes suddenly resting upon the
grand figure and stern face of the re-
turned soldier, she came to an abrupt
halt. A 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 a separation Of nine long
years!
The Colonel scarcely recognized the
sallow, romping little creature he had
left, in this magnificent woman. Her
tall and slender figure was instinct with
/
indicated refinement and thorough breed
ing. I.,. lalIref
The Colonel did not move toward her,
nor did the sternness of his countenance
relax.
His daughter took step toward 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 0 father" she cried, in an
anguished appeal. Father, speak to
me ~ af...
That pleading cry went to the Coloners
soul. He forgot his daughter S error,
remembering that she was his child-his
only child His heart melted within
him. He silently opened his arms, and
with a gasping cry, Ignatia sprang for
ward and was folded to his breast.
For little while there was silence be-
tween them, broken only by the girl $
sobs and the soft caresses the Colonel
showered upon her head and face. Then
he drew her to a sofa, still enfolding her
in his arms.
Father, whispered Ignatia broken
ly, do you know? Has Aunt Jacob told
you" .r
f" ] know all, my daughter" answered
the Colonel gently.
And you forgive me2 You viii not
cease to love me-"
The father answered only by soft
caress. Her terror and anguish aroused
his tenderness and pity, and he had
never in all her life loved her with such
a yearning love as he felt for her at this
moment when she lay trembling against
his breast. p
Aunt Jacob has told me of your mar
riage, Ignatia," he said. 81 will not up.
braid you for keeping the matter secret
from me all these years How long is it
since you saw Captain Holm2'
" 1t is nearly three years, father" was
the low reply. have not seen him
since tue child was three months old. 4"
"Do you love him still2' asked the |
Colonel.
"Oh, no, nor she murmured. 81
would rather die than live with him as
his wifel
And this child is yours and his?"
=" Yes, father; but she is not like him
in character.
The Colonel looked at the little crea-
ture. She was scarcely three years old,
and it was easy to see that she had in
herited no taint of her prohigate fathers
nature.
"What is your name, little oneS"
asked the Colonel
Georgia Redruth, f" was the prompt
answer
The Colonel held out one hand with
smil to the child. When he had 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
Redruth had already given her brother.
1t seemed indeed, to the father, as he
heard her, that the girl had been more
sinned against than SHINING.
Do you suppose, he asked, that
Captain Holm knows now that you are
an heiressf'
Il am sure he does not, answered
the deserted young wife. II 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 a quarrelf'
Yes, father but it was not a sudden