Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1871-12-27
CHAPTER XIII.

CHAPTER XIII.
( LADY PENDERLEITH KEEPS HER WORD
! Had Lady Penderleith remained yet
( incredulous of the servants story, though
the girl only spoke what she believed
and driven five miles further on .insteaC
of back home, she would have assured
4 " Overtaken the fugitives, now Joined
/ by Mrs. Lyle; for at the first village
they reached, their trip to London hav'
ing been ruse, they We're compelled t.
stop, that the Baronets wound should
be dressed.
OF ITSELF it was unimp0rtant, but thC
feverish state Of his body, and the ex,
citement he had gone through, made
the village Esculapius shake his head
gFsveIy, and protest, unless the sufferer
had instant rest, and went through 6
course Of cooling medicines, he would
not answer ior the consequences.
This the Baronet strenuOusly declared
to be impossible. He waited patiently
for the extraction of the ball for the ban
daging Of the wound; but then, reas =
cending the carriage, insisted on pro-
ceeding Instantly A to have thwarted
him would have done more harm than
compliance, Mrs. Lyle and Alma yield
ed, and once more the carriage rolled
on through the night, till, by by-roads
and winding lanes, only known to Rich.
ard MaybrOok, they reached q little out
of-the-way town, at an inn of which
they alighted, aud knocked the land
lord up, and, brief space after, retired
safely to bed.
If any enjoyed rest and slumber that
night surely it was Alma, whose pale
face told plainly the poisonous effect the
incarceration in so gloomy prison
had upon her.
Her only fear was lest she should be
yet Overtakeu and borne back 10 Pen
derleith. That thought frequently
startled her from happy dreams. tremb-
ling with alarm. She no doubt would
have slept more peacefully had she been
aware of what arrangements the BarO-
net had already made to create himself
her rightful prOteetor--had she known
that at that very moment q special IL
cense, which, in case of need, he had
procured while in London, was safely
folded in his pOcket-book.
If she was ignorant of it during the
night, she did not long continue so in
the morning, when she found herself
taking part in that holy rite which
united her and Gerard for life. He and
he alone had right to rule her now.
1t was with an exquisite joyous con-
sciousness of this that Alma, blushing
and happy, placed her hands in his, and
smiling, said, feel quite strong and
brave now, dear Gerard, for 10 one can
part US.
No one can, nor shall, darling, he re-
Joined, folding her to his heart, and
sealing the word upon her lips. How
shall our troubles appear when viewed
through the medium Of our present
joy?
For awhile they did not speak tho
blissful rapture Of those two hearts that
beat as one was all too great for words.
How the sight Of them then, as they
stood 50 regardless Of her anger-of any.
thing but their own pure love-would
have augmented Lady Penderleith's
fury.
And now, young people, said Mrs.
Lyle, finally breaking in upon the tete-
a-tete, which she began to think would
last forever, what are your plans for the
future? suppose, she added, smiling,
you intend not,as yet, ,toreturn to Rose.
den?
Roseden? Oh, no, calculated Alma,
to the side of her companion
with that sense of reliance so fascinating
to young husband.
To Reseden laughed the Baronet
placing his arm around his wife's small
waist. No, thanks! We have no wish
for her ladyship to pull it about our
ears. think we shall make our we'd
ding tour in the highlands.
Could not do better said his mother.
1 have managed to get Alma a trousseau
together, the best this town can pro-
ducc, and advise you to start at once.
Not that [ fancy there is much likeli-
hood of her ladyship pursuing further;
but, in case she did, I think you would
rather avoid the scene which would
ensuc. E<. -
Assuredly. Why, Alma shivers mere
ly at its contemplation. No, we will
start at once. But you, my dear mo-
ther
Why I, at present, ,is we'll Us you, hav-
ing no desire to meet her ladysiip, shall
not return to Rosedcn, but pay the visit
[ have so often threatened to one or two
friends in London. Let me know when
you intend to return, and will see that
all is prepared in readiness,
Then you do not fear being the first to
meet her iadyship? laughed her son.
Fear? Not l. Besides, 10y that time
Lady Penderleith's anger will have
grown into quiet vindictiveness.