Connecticut western news., 1871-10-20
CHAPTER II.

The little basket-chaise drew up before the porch of the stone house, and the young lady who held the reins tossed them to q stable lad who was at hand, and alighted, helping out little child. The two ran lightly up the steps. : The hall was deserted when the pair entered it.
 mother, in gay, sweet voice. {" Her chair is empty. Shall we find her?"
 She moved lightly across the floor, and then her eyes suddenly resting upon the grand figure to an abrupt halt cry of terror and horror, strangely mingled, came from her white lips. Her face blanched her limbs .trembled; she panted for breath.
 The father and daughter stood face to face after separation of nine long years
 The colonel scarcely recognized the sallow, romping little creature he had left in this mag niticent woman. Her tall and slender figure was instinct with stately grace. Her every movement indicated refinement and thorough breeding.
 The Colonel did not move toward her, nor did the sternness of his countenance relax.
 His daughter took step toward him, cruel agitation convulsing her frame. Her arms It seemed as If she would have knelt before him.
 "Fatherl fatherl" she cried, in an an- guished appeal. "Father, speak to mop
 That pleading cry went to the Colonels soul. He forgot his daughters error, remembering that she was his chlld-his only child. His heart melted within him. He silently opened sprang forward and was folded to his breast.
 For a little while there was silence between them, broken only by the girls sobs and the soft caresses the Colonel sh0wered upon her head and face Then he drew her to sota, still enfolding her in his arms.
 "Father," whispered Ignatia brokenly, s'do you knowP Has Aunt Jacob told you-"
 CT know all, my daughter, answered the Colonel gently.
 ''And you forgive mo2 You will not cease to love mel"
 The father answered only by a soft oarees. Her terror and anguish aroused his tenderness and pity, and he had never in all her life loved her with such a yearning love as he felt for her at this moment when she lay trembling against his breast
 "Aunt Jacob has told me of your marriage, Ignatia, he said. "I will not upbraid you for keeping the matter a secret from me all these years. How long is it since you saw Captain Holm?"
 Ut is nearly three years, father," was the low reply. CT have not seen him since the child was three months old"
 "Do you love him still ?" asked the Colonel.
 "Oh, no, mol" she murmured. "I would rather die than live with him as his wife1"
 "And this child is yours and his2"
 "Yes, father; but she is not like him in character"
 The Colonel looked at the little creature
 She was scarcely three years old, and it was easy to see that she had inherited no talnt ot her profigate fathers nature.
 "What is your name, little one ?" asked the Colonel.
 "Georgia Redruth," was the prompt answer.
 The Colonel held out one hand with smile to the child. When he had throned his tiny namesake upon his knee Ms daughter knew that she was forgiven.
 She presently raised her head from it's rest ing-place, and told him her story. It differed little from the narrative Miss Redruth had al- ready given her brother. It seemed, indeed, to the father as he heard her, that the girl had been Esmore sinned against than shining |"
 "Do you suppose" he asked, 'that Captain Holm knows now that you are an heress ?"
 CT am sure he does not" answered the de- serted young wife. eff he had known it he that you were the next heir to poor Uncle Ralph"
 sYou parted in quarrel ?" .F
 s'Yes, father i; but it was not a sudden out break. He came home one day from the town whore his regiment was stationed in t terrible humor. We found afterward that every officer in his regiment had cut him, for conduct un- becoming an officer and gentleman He was obliged to sell out his commsslon as soon as possible after that.
 'He was full of rage, which he vented upon me. He cursed himself for falling in love with me, when he might have won an heiress.
 " At last ne LOOK ms euectS hLu uOuN ''1 HIS horse, and rode toward Sleaford at furious pace. have never seen him since. I do not know whether he is living or dea>I.
 "Your young life shall not be bhghted by this scoundrell" cried the Colonel. "The law shall free you from any claims he may choose to make upon you when he discovers that his de- serted wife is really an heiress. My first move ment shall be to procure you 8 release from the villain.
 "And until you have obtained divorce from him, we will not go to Redruth."
 "Wil they let me keep my childl" asked 1g- natia.
 "Of course. dear"
 "Dear father" she said, softly, "my whole life shall try to show my love and gratitude to
 Before the Colonel could reply, Miss Red ruth stalked into the room, unmistakably anx- ious.
 A single glance set her mind at rest The Colonel held his grandchild on his knee, and Ignatia was looking up at him with grateful
 All is forgiven and forgotten" said the Colonel cheerfully. "Ignatia and the chilG will start for London with me by the morning train.
 "I will not take her to Redruth while that scoundrel has the shadow of claim upon her.
 The evening was passed pleasantly and with. out restraint. No further allusion was made to Captain Holm, and Colonel Redruth told stories of his Indian life, charming his hearers into forgetfulness of Ignatia's profigate hus- band.