The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-10-16

suppose, and became the rage, as the phrase is.
He comes Of good family, but Is dissolute.
His own father has dlsOwned him. He Is thor
oughly bad, but has specious appearance. He
fell in love with Ignatil and she with him, and
one day the precious pair came into this very
room and asked my consent to their mar
swell p said the Colonel, his face ghastly
white, his voice trembling.
"Ofeourse, refused my consent" said Miss
Bedruth. sent IgnatiA to her school
nom, and after locturing Captain Holm, dis
missed him fran the house, ! thought that
was the end OF tho matter, but II seemed II
was not The upshot OF the matter was, that
Captain Holm and my neiee were married
quietly without my knowledge, by special
license, at Sleaford, to which place IgnAtia and
her gOyerness had gone in the pony chaise, on
prctence OF wishing TO match Berlin wool, but
really to Peet the fellow"
But how could ho pressure license TO
marry a. child OF sixteen, without the consent
Of her relatiyes2"
Captain Holm Is not punetilious about
speaking the truth, said Miss Redruth bitterly.
" He may have declared IgnAiia to DO Of age.
At any rate, he returned in the chaisc with the
girl and her governess, aud announced himself
to me as IgnatiA's husband. did not know
what to do dared not write to you
"And this precious sOn.in-law Of mine-is lie
In the lIousOI' demanded tho Colonel Btcrnly
with lowering brows.
"No; holived here with IgnatiA for a year or
more, for would not lotmy niece go from under
my roof He sold out his commission, and tho
child has not seen him in three years. Ibe-
lieye he il rowing about the Continent When
he know her, ms niece was but EalloW, un-
formed child. Shot now very beautiful, but
that Of course, he does not know. Neither
does hC know that he is now an hoircss."
The Colonel arose and paced the floor with
quick and agitatCd steps
Don't reproach me, George" said Miss
Redruth. "Ilayo ! not sutfcrCdf How could /
have done differently"
"Ticd to such a ssoundrel, who had not even
tho virtue Of faithiulncss-"
She need not DO tied to him, George, intor-
posed Miss Rcdruth, eagerly. consulted Mr..
Ainslcy, my lawyer, You know. lie says that
1t will DO easy 10 procure divorce for Ignatia."
"Why should not the marriage be set aside
az Illegal Z" demanded the Colonel.
Miss Rodruth colOrcd.
" Because because" she stammered. "Yon
see, George, the lIoms are riyh. Only two
lives stand between Captain Holm and a great
estate
"And you want mo--a Rcdruth and Il rich
man-to claim alimony for my daughter" cried
the Colonel, IN a stern, ringing voice. "FOr
shame, JacObea. You would have me trade on
her wrongsT You would have her AcccptmoDey
from this scoundrolf"
"NO, no. Hear me-" exclaimed Miss Red.
ruth. 81 w0uldn0t have the marriage declared
Illegal, Hply because there Is another person
TO be considered who has not yet been men.
toned"
"And who may tins person boz"
"lgnntias child"
"IIer child Ignatias childf Great Heavenl
Am lrcamingT'
mo, wish you werc,n said Miss Rclruth.
There is child Of three years, a girl For
her sake, as you SEQ yourself the legality ofthO
marriage must not be questioned"
Tho Colonel did not answer. He strobe back
and forth with bowed head and gathered brows,
and Miss lcdruth dared not question him, nor
even attempt to soOthe him.
81 don't think lgnatiA 30 entirely to blame"
she yenturcd to say, after little.
Tho Colonel gave no sign that he heard the
observation.
"This is turning.pOint In her life said
Miss lledruth, after another uneasy silence.
81 hope you don't intend TO cast her OF,
George
sail no answer from the Colonel.
Miss llcdruth turned from the contemplation
Of his face to the open window, her firm, hard
mouth growing iirncr and harder as she conf
pressed II closely. Neither spoke again until
little basket ehaise, drawn by stout shaggy
pony, camo leisurcly along the highway and
turned into tho open farm gates, and Miss Red
ruth then exclaimed:
"Ignatia is come, How will you receive
herr"
The Colonel answered in a boarsc voice, with
out looking up:
"scnd her to me. Stay-you need not tell
her am here. Lot her come in here. And let
us meet alone, Jacob
Miss licdruth arose and withdrew, tho look Of
apprehension deepening in her face.