Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-10-03
LADY THORNHURsTs DAUGHTER
CHAPTER /.


THE FATHERS RETURN.
The farm known Redruth Moor is one of the
most fertile in Lincolnshire, perhaps in all England
lne mouse Is picturesque old stone dwelling,
which has stood couple of centuries
AT a little distance in the rear of the house are
out-Dulldlngs' all indicative of the extreme thrift
and prosperity of the owner of Redruth Moor
mat owner, twenty years ago. as to day was
Miss .Iacobea Redruth. She was and is nossessed
OF first class business Abilities active in her habits
keen, sharp witted, and her own farm manager
She was not a woman of social habits nor Dartic-
ularly given to hospitality There was a vein of
parslnony in her nature, that made social gather
lngs at her expense positive pain, but she had
come OF fine old county family, and her ancient
name and excellent lineage procured her friendly
recognition and formal visits from the various coun-
ty magnates. These visits as formally returned
at stated periods, and but for their small break in
the even course of her existence, Miss Redruth
would have led the life of a recluse
Late one afternoon in MAY, nearly twenty vears
ago, Miss Redruth was seated in her drawing room
after her usual afternoon custom. Her chair d ra n
up before an open bow window, and she was look
ing out into the depths of an apple orchard which
was covered with bloom with strangely intent
gaze. One might have supposed her engaged in alb
struse calculations as to the probable yield of the
fruit trees, but second glance at her deeply con-
tracted brows and troubled face would have testi-
fed that her thoughts had deeper and more un-
quiet source.
She was gaunt, grim woman of middle age and
OF masculine appearance. She had hard face and
a hard nature. She had no tender womanly ways,
no gentle womanly sympathies, no sentimentality,
as she loved to say, no fondness for womanly em-
hedruth Moor was not entailed estate and
MISS Redruth had inherited it from her father The
present representative of the proud old family was
COl. Redruth, her brother, an army officer who
mad spent most Of his life in India and whose arr
\ val she was now momentarily expecting at her
| home, after an absence from his native land for
many years. There was more of dread than of low
GUS anticipation in the manner of Miss Redruth as
the moment OF the colonel's appearance drew near
"N hat can l say TO him?" sne muttered uneasiIv
What VIII he say to me when he knows all?
| wish the meeting were over. An, there he comes"
The carriage she had sent to Sleaford to meet her
brother in fact at that moment seen rpturning
at swift pace along the dusty road II turned in al
| the wide farm gates, and came up the carriage
| sweep toward the porch. Miss Redruth rose after
a mechanical fashion from the chair and went
| threshold TO meet her relative
The open carriage came nearer. Upon the back
seat sat gentleman whose face flushed at sight of
her, and who took OFF his hat as a sudden rush of
emotion swept over his soul. The carriage drew nm
at the porch, and the gentleman sprang lightly out
and ran up the steps.
| tated tones, embracing her. "YOW have not
changed, at least, in tine nine years since we
partedH'
| Miss Redruth submitted to the embrace, and pre-.
scented her right cheek to her brothers caress, but
she did not offer to kiss him. She was superior to
| such small weaknesses.
~ am glad TO see you back in England, George u
| she exclaimed quietly "You have changed,
think; but then your life has not been so quiet as
She withdrew herself from his arm, and led him
INTO the low, quaint, pleasant drawing-room
| Inc colonel matted Just within the threshold and
gaze. 00'A''
He was handsome, distinguished looking man.
Of some fifty years, with complexion depny
Dronzed by Indian suns, with keen dark eves y
| grand head, and black hair already streaked with
| gray. He wore irOn-gray military wbiskers and
his massive eyebrows of iron-gray also giving
| TO his noble cOuntenance a look of sternness ana
| command that well became him.
"Where is lgnataP he asked, his face Suddenly
clouding with disappointment. "Why is not nv
| child here to welcome her father? She-she is moi
| ilI2'
mo George" answered Miss Redruth, with EN-
| barrassment. "She does not know that YOU are az
peeted to-day Thought il best not to tell her and
| drive"
"Intending TO let her find here on her returny Y
said the colonel his brow clearing. "YOu meant Il
surprise her? Will she be back soon?"
sit down, George" said Miss Redruth, with per
cephble uneasiness. "a have something to tell yOt
before lgnatia comes. Did-did you hear anything
over at Sleatord? Did you meet any one you uset
= did not" said the colonel, wonderingIy, seat
lus himself az a window commanding a view of In,
I9ad. was there anything tor me to hearg1 Ii,
a ue, WIN sudden change OF countenance "Tht
emu nas 1 y, grown deformed, had the small
How old do You think the child sg, demanded
MISS hedruth, grlmly. "You left her a little iii
anu sue seems Dut little girl TO you still Rnt IN
is twenty years old woman grown "' 'ii'
AN, yes, sighed the colonel aSbe has loft he
nnd hcr her chldhood, but she will be sometime
dearer and nearer to me than sinply a chilli III
will be my companion my friend She viii consni
In part for the loss of her mother 49, ~
fulfill her childish promise of beauty and raco,si
"She does" said Miss Redruth setting ber Iir
firmly together. NY Np