Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-10-12

he CoionelS lace grew suddenly pare
The grizzled moustache on his upper lip
trembled convulsiyely.
"What has she done? he asked, in
hoarse whisper.
Married dissolute fellow
married? Good heayensE
cit is SO. George" said Miss Redruth.
"She has been married nearly four wears.
-Four years? and you never told me?
She never wrote that she was married
Four years!
eyes. Let me tell you how it happened.
About four years ago, regiment was sta
toned within twenty miles of us, and its
officers were to be met at all the best
houses in this part of the county. lgnatia
was but a schoolgirl under goyerness, to
whom left the direction of her pursuits
and movements. Ignatia had number of
girl friends, who she was often allowed to
visit. At the house of one of these friends
she met Captain Digby Holm. He was
handsome, after the style girls like, l sup
pose, and became the rage, as the phrase is,
He comes of good family, but is disso-
lutte. His own father has disowned him.
| He is Thoroughly bad, but has specious APP
pearance. He fell in love with Ignatia and
she with him, and one day the precious pair
came into this very room, and asked my
| consent to their marriage"
| "Well?" said the Colonel, his face CHASTITY
white, his voice trembling.
| "Of course | refused my consent" said
| Miss Redruth. {" 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 seem
ed it was not. The up shot of the matter
was, that Captain Holm and my niece were
| married quietly without my knowledge, by
special license, at Sleaford to which place
| Ignata and her goyerness had gone in the
pony chase, on pretence of wishing Il
match Berlin wool, but really to meet th'
fellow"
1" But how could he procure license tc
marry a child of sixteen, without the con
sent of her relativeS?"
Captain Holm is not punctiious abou
speaking truth" said Miss Redruth bitterly
| "He may have declared Ignatia to be o
| age. At any rate, he returned in the chaist
with the girl and her governess, and ali
nounced himself to me as Ignatia's hus
band. l did not know what to do dareC
not write to you"
"And this precious son-in-law of mine
is he in the house? demanded the Colone
sternly, with lowering broWs.
"No he lived here with Ignatia for
year or more, for would not let my nice
90 from under my roof He sold out hi
commission and the child has not seen hin
in three years. | believe he is rowing abou
the Continent When he knew her, m,
niece was but a sallow, uniformed child
She is now very beautiful, but that, o
course, he does not know. Neither does h
know that she is now an heireSS."
RI The Colonel arose and paced the foo
with quick and agitated steps
Don't reproach me, George" said Mis-
Redruth. "Have | not suffered? HOY
could have done differently"
cited to such scoundrel, who had no
even the virtue of faithfulness-"
"She need not be tied to him, George,
interposed Miss Redruth eagerly. 81 con
suited Mr.. Ainsley, my lawyer, you know
He says that it will be easy to procure
divorce for Ignatia."
4 "Why should not the marriage be sc
, aside as illegal?" demanded the Colonel.
Miss Redruth colOred.
Because-because-" she stammered
e "You see, George, the Holms are rich. Or
: ly two lives stand between Captain Holr
t and great estate
' "And you want me-a Redruth, and
/ rich man-to claim alimony for my daugt
= ter?" cried the Colonel, in a stern rtngin
voice. "For shame, Jacobea. You woul
g have me to trade on her wrongs! 70 70.
4 would have her except money from thi
} scoundrel"
, "No, no. Hear me-" exclaimed Mis-
/ Redruth. 81 would not have the marriag
: declared illegal, simply because there is an
other person to be considered who has no
. yet been mentioned"
r "And who may this person be?"
e Tgnatia's child!'
r "Her child! Ignatia's child? Great Heay
t en-! Am | dreaming?
/ "No, I wish you WERE" said Miss Red
r ruth. "There is a child of three years,
/ girl For her sake, as you must see your
r self, the legality of the marriage must nc
d be questioned"
l. The Colonel did not answer. He strod
back and forth with bowed head and gail
d cred brows, and Miss Redruth dared NJ
n question him, nor even attempt to Sooth
e him.
81 don't think Ignatia so entirely I
O blame" she ventured to say, after little.
}. The Colonel gave no sign that he hear
Q the observation. ;,
e "This is a turning point in her life" sal
e Miss Redruth, after another uneasy silenc,
h 81 hope you don't intend to cast her of
II George"
e Still no answer from the Colonel.
II Miss Redruth turned from the contempt;
ton of his face to the open window, he
n firm, hard mouth growing frmer and hare
g err, as she compressed it closely Neitht
IS spoke again until a little basket chais
,r drawn by a stout, shaggy pony, came lei
e urely along the highway and turned I'M
v the open farm-gates, and Miss Redruth the
exclaimed:
IN "Ignatia is come. How will you recei'
II herY
,e The Colonel answered in a hoarse vOic
without looking up:
Q. "Send her to me. Stay-yOu need NJ
h. tell her 1 am here. Let her come in her
n. And let us meet alone, Jacob"
G Miss Redruth arose and Withdrew, Il
! look of apprehension deepening in her fac
n CHAPTER II.
Ce IGNATIA.
The little basket chaise drew up befo
ID the porch of the stone house, and the your
" lady who held the reins tossed them to
stable lad who was at hand, and aiighte
h. helping out a little child. The two RI
IN lightly up the steps.
" The hall was deserted when the pair e
lg tered it, ~,
en- mother, in a gay, sweet voice. " Her cha
al is empty. Shall we find hCr"
n. She moved lightly across the floor, al
We then her eyes suddenly resting upon t
10 grand figure and stern face of the return
IS soldier, she came to an abrupt halt. C
of terror and horror, strangely mingle
&c came from her white lips. Her face blanc
It. ed; her limbs trembled she painted f
err breath. 49, -.
The father and daughter stood face to IA
b. after a separation of nine long years.
w The Colonel scarcely recognized the 81
it low, romping little creature he had left,
ut this magnificent. woman. Her tall al
slender figure was instinct with state
er grace. Her very movement indicated refr
lr- ment and thorough breeding.
he The Colonel did not move toward her, n
did the sternness of his countenance rela
h, His daughter took a step toward him,
Ie. cruel agitation convusing her frame. II
3. arms dropped, and her hands were clasp
at together. 1t seemed as if she would ha
ed knelt before him.
Father! o fatherP' she cried, in an q
o. cuished appeal. Father, speak to me -
d. That pleading cry went to the Colone
" soul. He forgot his daughters error,
a membering that she was his child-his or
he child. His heart melted within him.
he silently opened his arms, and with a gas
ing cry, Ignatia sprang forward and W
?" folded to his breast.
eft For little while there was silence betwe