Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1871-10-20

"Of course I refused my consent" said
Miss Redruth. g sent Ignatla to her
school-room, and after lecturing Captain
Holm, dismissed him from the house. L
thought that was the end of the matter, put
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 Sleatord,
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 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 lgnatla to
be Of age. At any rate, he returned in the
chaise with the girl and her gOverness, and
announced himself TO me as lgnatla's hus-
band. l did not know what to do. dared
not write to you.'
"And tn is precious son-in-law of mine
is he in the house?" demanded the Colonel
sternly, with lowering brOws.
ono: he lived here with Ignatia for a
year or more, for / would not let my niece
| 90 from under my roof. He sold out his
| Commission, and the child has not seen him
| in three years. | believe he is rowing about
! The continent When he knew her, m
| niece was but sallow, uniformed child She
| is now very beautiful, but that, of course, he
does not know. Neither does he know that
| she is now an heiress."
| The Colonel arose and paced the door with
quick and agitated steps.
-" Don't reproach me, George said Miss
Redruth. "Haye | not suffered? How
could l have done differently"
Tied to such scoundrely who had not
even the virtue of faithfulness-
"Sbe 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 ?" demanded the Colonel.
Miss Redrutb colored.
| Beeause-because- she stammered.
I" You see, George, the Holms are rich.
Only two lives stand between Captain Holm
and great estate"
"And you want me-a Redruth, and a
rich man-to claim alimony for my daugh-
ter % cried the Colonel, in stern ringing
voice. " For shame, Jacobea. You would
| have me trade on her wrongs? You
would have her accept money fl I'M this
| scoundrel?"
| ruth. " 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 chiId.''
Her child! Ignatia's child? Great
heaven! Am dreaming?'
Ono, wish you Were" said Miss Red
ruth. "There is a child of three years, a
| girl. For her sake, as you must see your
| self, the legality of the marriage must not
be questioned." @1
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. #E<
81 don't think Ignatia so entirely to
blame," she ventured TO say, after little.
The Colonel gave no sign that he heard
| the observation.
| "This is turning point in her life,' said
Miss Redruth, after another uneasy silence.
" hope you don't intend to cast her off,
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
err, as she compressed it closely. Neither
spoke again until a little basket chaise,
drawn by stout, shaggy pony, came leis-
urely along the highway and turned into the
open farm gates, and Miss Redruth then ex-
claimed:
"Ignatia is come. How will you receive
her p?
The Colonel answered in hoarse voice,
| without looking up:
"Send her to me. Stay-you need not tell
her am here Let her come in here. And
let us meet alone, jacob
Miss Redruth arose and withdrew, the
look of apprehension deepening in her face.