Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-10-08
LADY Observation-Disclosures
CHAPTER l.

|
At a little distance in the rear of the
house are out-buildings, all indicative Of the
extreme thrift and prosperity of the owner
Of Redruth Moor.
That owner, twenty years ago, as to-day,
was Miss Jacobea Redruth. She was and
is possessed of first-class business abilities,
active in her habits, keen, sharp-witted, 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 var
iOus county magnates. These visits were
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 recluse.
Late one afternoon in May, nearly twenty
years ago, Miss Redruth was seated in her
drawing-room, after her usual afternoon
custom. 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 a strangely
intent gaze. One might have supposed her
engaged in abstruse calculations as to the
probable yield of the fruit trees, but the sec
Ond glance at her deeply contracted brows
and troubled face would have testified that
her thoughts had deeper and more I'M
quiet source.
She was a gaunt, grim woman Of middle
age and Of masculine appearance. She had
hard face and hard nature. She had no
tender womanly ways, no gentle womanly
sympathies, no sentimentality, as she loved
to say, no fondness for womanly employ
ments.
Redruth Moor was not an 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 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 anticipation in the manner
of Miss Redruth, as the moment of the Colo
nel's appearance drew near.
"What can l say to him." she muttered
uneasily. ''What will he say TO me when
he knows all? l wish the meeting were
over. All, there he comes"
The carriage she had sent to Sleaford to
meet her brother was in fact at that moment
seen returning at a swift pace along the
dusty road. 1t turned in at the wide farm
gates, and came up the carriage sweep to-
ward the porch. Miss Redruth arose after
a mechanical fashion from her chair, and
went slowly out into the wide hall, advane-
ing TO the threshold to meet her relative.
The open carriage came nearer. Upon
the back seat sat a 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 up at
the porch, and the gentleman sprang light
ly out and ran up the steps.
Jacob NV dear sister," he cried, in
deep, agitated tones, embracing her. "YOu
have not changed, at least, in the nine
years since we parted
Miss Redruth submitted 10 the embrace,
and presented her right cheek to her broth
er's careSs, but she did not offer TO kiss
him. She was superior to such small weak
nesseS.
Il am glad to see you back in England,
George" she exclaimed quietly. "You
have changed, think; but then your life
has not been so quiet as mine"
She withdrew herself from his arm, and
led him into the low, quaint, pleasant draw
ing room.
The Colonel halted just within the thresh-
old, and looked about the room with an
eager, expectant gaze.
He was a handsome, distinguished looking
man, of some fifty years, with complexion
deeply bronzed by Indian suns, with keen
dark eyes, grand head, and black hair al
ready streaked with gray. He wore IRON
gray military whiskers, and his massive eye
brows were of an iron-qay also, giving to
his noble countenance look of sterness and
command that well became him.
"Where is Ignatia?" he asked, his face
suddenly clouding with disappointment.
"Why is not my child here to welcome her
father? She-she is not ill?''
mo, George" answered Miss Redruth,
with embarrassment. 'She does not know
that you are expected to-day. thought it
best not to tell her, and-and sent her out
in her little pony chaise for drive"
'Intending to let her find me here on her
return?' said the Colonel, his brow clear
ing. ''YOu meant to surprise her? VIII
she be back soon?"
'SSit down, George, said Miss Redruth,
| with perceptible uneasiness. 81 have some
thing to tell you before Ignatia comes. Did
did you hear anything over at Sleaford? Did
you meet any one you used to know"
! II did not" said the Colonel, wondering
I ", seating himself at window command
! ing a view of the road. "Was there any,
thing for me to hear?" he added, with a
sudden change of countenance. "The child
has not grown deformed, nor had the small
/ poX, nor"
/ 'How old do you think the child Tsp"
/ demanded Miss Redruth, grimly. ."You
left her a little girl, and she seems but
| little girl to you still. But she is twenty
years old, a woman grown"
"Ah yes," sighed the Colonel. "She has
left behind her her childhood, but she will
! be symething dearer and nearer to me than
simply child. She will be my companion,
my friend. She will console me in part for
the loss of her mother. Does she fulfill her
childish promise Of beauty and grace ?'
"She does" said Miss Redruth, setting
her lips firmly together,
Il know that she is good, +" said the Indian
soldier, with tender emphasis. 81 remem-
Der well her loving, sensitive nature, her
winning ways, her bright, impetuous spirit.
She had noble intellect-yOu do not mean,
Jacob, that she is not so clear-headed as she
wasP n he added, in sudden alarm.
"NO, she knows enough" was the reluc-
tant reply.
"AhI'' said the Colonel, trying to smile.
"She has lover then? That is to be ex-
peGted at her age"
"You should have come home sooner,
George" said Miss Redruth. people who
have children should stay with them and
take care of them"
81 could not well come home earlier, ia
cob" said the Colonel. ''My daughter is an
heiress, and as such must take her place in
society. If she has an unworthy lover,
will undertake to wean her heart from
him. Surely she cannot resist her fathers
loving counsels."
at is too late for counsels," said Miss
Redruth, with a sort of grim desperation.
Ignatia Redruth is beyond the reach of ad-
vice. You need not blame me, George.
Ignatia herself will clear my skirts of blame.
1t is not my fault if she has wrecked your
hopes, and made herself bed Of living
Goals to lie on"
The Colonels face grew suddenly pale.
The grtzzled mustache ON his upper lip
trembled convulsively.
"What has she done ?' he asked in a
hoarse whisper.
married dissolute fellow"
married? Good HeavensI'
at is so, George" said Miss Redruth.
I" She has been married nearly four years"