Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-10-19
LADY TH0RNHURSf'S DAUGHTER.
CHAPTER |.
THE FATHERS RETURN.

the most fertile in Lincolnshire, perhaps in
all England.
The house IL picturesque old stone dwell
ing, which had stood a couple of centuries.
At little distance in the rear of the house
are outbuildines, all indicative Of the extreme
thrift and prosperity of the owner of Redruth
Moor.
/ The owner. twenty years ago az to-day, was
Miss Jscobea Redruth. She was and is pos
sessed of frst-cass business abilities, active
III her habits, keen, sharp-w.tted, and her own
farm manager.
/ She was not woman of social habits, nor
particularly given to hospitality. There was
vein of parsimOnY IN her nature, that made
social gatherings at her expense positive
pain. but she had come of a fine old county
family, and her ancient name and excellent
lineage procured her friendly recognition and
formal visits from the various county mag
mates. These visits were as formally return
cd 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 re
cluse
Late one afternoon in May nearly twenty
years ago, Miss Redruth was seated in hdt
/ drawing room. after her usual afternoon Gus
tom. Her chair was drawn up before an open
boW-Window, and she was looking out into the
depths of an apple orchard, which was covered
with bloom. with strangely intent gaze. One
might have supposed her engaged in abstruse
calculations as to the probable yield of the
fruit trees. but a second glance at her deeply
contracted brOws aud troubled face would have
testified that her thoughts had deeper and
more unquiet source
She was a gauut gam woman of middle age
+ and OF masculine appearance She had hard
face and hard nature. She had no tender
womaulv ways, no gentle womanly sympathles,
no seutmentality as she loved to say, no fond
ness for womaniy emplOyments.
2 was tn an
and Miss Rcdruth had inherited it from her
father The present representative of the
proud old family was ColRedruth her brother,
an army officer who had spent most Of his
life in India. and whose arrival 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 joyous anti
cipaton in the manner of Miss Redrutn, as the
moment Of tine Colonels appearance drew
/ near.
What can say to him ?" she mnttered I'M
easily. "What will he say to me when he
knows all ? | wish the meeting were over. All,
there he comes.
The carriage she had sent to Sleaford to
meet her brother was at that very moment
seen returning at swift pace along the road.
It turned in at the vide farm gates and came
up tine sweep towards the porch. Miss Red
ruth arose in a mechanical fashion from her
chair, and went slowly out into the wide hall,
/ advancing 10 the threshold 70 meet heI lcla-
I tive.
/ The open carriage came nearer. Upon the
/ back seat sat a gentleman whose face flushed
/ at sight OF her and who took off his at as
sudden rush of emotion swept over his soul.
/ The carriage drew up at the porch, and the
gentleman sprang lightly out and ran mp the
steps
Jacob! My dear sister p he cried, in
deep. agitated tones, embracing her. " Yoa
have not changed, at least, III the nine years
since we parted?'
Miss Redruth submitted to the embrace and
presented 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 .he exclaimed quietly. You have
I changed. / think but then your life has not
7 been so quiet ae nine"
She Withdrew herself from his arm and led
him INTO the low, quaint, pleasant drawing
! room.
/ The Colonel halted just within the thresh-
old, and looked about the room with an eager,
/ eNpectaut gaze.
/ He was handsome, distinguished looking
man, Of some fifty years, with a complexion
deeply brouzed by Indian suns, with keen dark
eyes, a grand head and black hair already
streaked With gray. He wore iron gray mill
/ tarv vhiskers, and his massive eyebrows were
/ Of iron gray also, giving to his noble counter
. ance a look OF sternness and command that
/ wen bccam. him.
Where is Ignatia ?" he asked, his face
suddenly cloudmg with disappointment " Why
Is not my child here to welcome her father
She-she is not i'll Z"
No. George" answered Miss Redruth with
embarrassment. " She does not know that
you are expected 10 day ! thought it best
not to tell her, and-snd | sent her out in her
little pony chaise for ride"
- Intending n let her find m here her
return z said the Colonel, his brow clearing
" You meant to surprise her? win she be
back soon 2
Sit down, George, said Miss Redruth with
perceptible uneasines.. Il have something
to tell you before Ignatia comes Did-dd
you hear anything over at Seaford; Did you
meet any one Won used to know -
. did not. said the Colonel vonderingly
seating himself at a window commanding a
view OF the road. q" Was there anything for
me 10 hear 7" he added. with q sudden change
OF countenance THE child has not grown
deformed, nor had the smallpox. nor"
" How old do You think the child il Y de-
manded Mrs Redruth grimly. You left her
little girl, and she seems but little girl to
YOU still. But she Is twenty years old, a wo-
man grown
All. yes. sighed the Colonel. "She has
left behind her her childhood, but she viii be
something dearer and nearer to Inc than rIm-
ply a child. She win be my companion, my
friend She will console me IN part for the
loss Of her mother. Does she fulfill her child
ish promise Of beauty aud grace r.
She does said Miss Redruth, setting her
lips firmly together
- / know that she is good " said the Indian
soldier, with tender emphasis. =" remember
well h.r loving, sensitive nature, her winning
ways her bright, impesgons spirit. She had
a noble iutellect-you do not mean, Jacob
that TAa is not 20 headed az 5he was Z
he added. in sudden alarm.
" No, she knows enough was the reluctant
reply.
"Ah," said the Colonel trying TO smile
;. She ha. lnNer thnnz lint ]. 10 be OK