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

OF course | refused my consent" said
Miss Redruth. 81 sent Ignatia to her
school-room, and after lecturing Captain
Holm, dismissed him from the house. l
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
niece were married quietly without my
knowledge, by special license, at Sleaford,
to which place Ignatia and her governess
had gone in the pony chaise on the pretense
of wishing to match Berlin wool, but really
to meet the fellow"
But how could he procure license to
| marry a child of sixteen without the consent
of her relatives 2"
captain Holm is not punctilious about
speaking TRUTH said Miss Redruth bit
terly. - He may have declared Ignatia to
be of age. At any rate, he returned in the
chaise with the girl and her governess, and
announced himself to me as Ignatia's hus
band. [ did not know what to do. | dared
not write to you
"And tn is precious son-in-law of mine
| is he in the house2" demanded the Colonel
sternly, with lowering brows.
" Ne; he lived here with Ignata for a
year or more, for | would not let my niece
go from under my roof. He sold out his
commission, and the child has not seen him
in three years. l believe he is rowing about
the continent When he knew her, my
W
is now very beautiful but that, of course, he
does not know. Neither does he know that
she i3 an heiress.'
The Colonel arose and paced the floor with
quick and agitated steps.
" Don't reproach me, George" said Miss
Redruth. Have | not suffered? How
could | have done differently?'
Tied to such scoundrel, who had not
even the virtue of thfulness-''
"She need not be tied to him, George" in
terposed Miss Redruth eagerly. | consult
ed Mr.. Ainsley, my lawyer, you know. He
says that it Will be easy to procure divorce
for Ignatia."
why should not the marriage be set
aside as illegal 2" demanded the Colonel.
Miss Redruth colored.
" Because--because-" she stammered.
You see, George, the Holms are rich.
Only two lives stand between Captain Holm
and great estate
" And you want me-a Redruth, and q
rich man-to claim alimony for my daugh-
ter ?" cried the Colonel, in a stern ringing
voice. For shame, Jacobea. You would
have me trade on her wrongs? You
would have her accept money from this
scoundrel?'
&" No, no. Hear me-, exclaimed Miss Red
ruth. q | would not have the marriage de-
clared illegal, simply because there is an
other person to be considered who has not
yet been mentioned.'
"And who may this person be?''
"Ignatia's child
Her childl Ignatia's child? Great
heaven! Am | dreaming? ''
No, | wish you were,' said Miss Red
ruth. /" There is "a child of three years, q
girl. For her sake, as you must see your
SELF the legality of the marriage must not
be questioned
The Colonel did not answer. He strobe
back and forth with bowed head and gath
cred brows, and Miss Redruth dared not
question him, nor even attempt to soothe
him.
al don't think Jgnatia so entirely to
blame, she ventured TO say, after a little.
The Colonel gave no sign that he heard
the observation.
"This is a turning point in her life." said
Miss Redruth, after another uneasy silence.
| hope you don't intend to cast her of,
George"
Still no answer from The Colonel.
Miss Redruth turned from the contempla-
| ton of his face TO the open window, her
firm, hard mouth growing firmer and hard
er, as she compressed it closely. Neither
spoke again until a little basket cbaise,
drawn by q stout, shaggy pony, came leis-
urely along the highway and turned into the
open farm gates, and Miss Redruth then cx-
claimed:
"Ignatia is come. How VIII you receive
her %
The Colonel answered in a hoarse voice,
without looking up:
"Seni her to ne. Stay-you need not tell
her | ara here. Let her come IN here. And
I let US meet alone, Jacob"
Miss Redruth arose and Withdrew, the
look of apprehension deepening in her face.