Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-10-03
CHAPTER ii
IAN MA

The little basket chaise drew up before the porch
of the stone house. and the young lady who held the
reins tossed them to a stable lad who was at hand
and alighted, helping out a little child. The two
ran lightly up the steps.
The hall was deserted when the pair entered it.
"Wheres Aunty Jacob 2" cried the Young mother
In a gay, sweet voice. "Her chair is empty Shall
we find herr"
She moved lightly across the floor, and then her
eyes suddenly resting upon the grand figure and
stern face of the returned soldier, she came to an
abrupt halt. A cry of terror and horror strangely
mingled, came from her white lips Her face
blanched; her limbs trembled; she painted for
breath.
The father and daughter stood face to face after
separation of nine long years!
The colonel scarcely recognized the sallow romp-
ing little creature he had left in this magnificent
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, 4 cruel agi-
tation convulsing her frame. Her arms dropped
and her hands were clasped together. 1t seemed as
il she would have knelt before him
Gather! FatherH she cried, in an anpuisbed
appeal. "Father speak to mep
That pleading cry went to the coonel's soul He
forgot his daughters error remembering that she
was his ehildnhis only child. His heart melted
within him. He silently opened his arms, and with
gasping cry lgnati 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
the colonel shOwered upon her head aud face
Then he drew her to sofa still enfoding her in his
arms.
Father" whispered Ignatia brokenly, "do Won
know2 Has Aunt Jacob told you-p
81 know all, my daughter" answered the colonel
"And you forgive me? You will not cease to love
me?" '''''' " WV
The father answered only bya soft caress. Her ter
ror and anguish aroused his tenderness and pity.
and he had never in all her life loved her with such
| yearning love as he felt for her at this moment
when she lay trembling against his breast.
Aunt Inaa ho-4 s11 anF-.
natia" he said. 81 viii not upbraid you for keen
| ing the matter a secret from me ali these vpars
How long is it since you saw Captain Holm?'
"lt is nearly three years, father" was the reDly
al have not seen him since the child was three
months old"
'Do You love him still?' asked the colonel.
"Oh, no, MOP she murmured. al would rather
die than live with him as his wiiep
"And this child is yours and his? 2"
Eyes, father; but she is not like him in charac.
ter"
The colonel looked at the little creature She was
scarcely three years old and it was easy to see that
she hal inherited no faint of her prohgate fathers
nature.
what is your name, little oneg" asked the COL
onel.
iGeorgia Redruth,' was the prompt answer.
The colonel held out one hand with a smile ia
the child. When he had throned his tiny name.
sake upon his knee his daughter knew that She was
forgiven.
She presently raised her head from its resting.
place. and told him her story 1t differed little from
the narrative Miss Redruth had already given her
ard
her, that the girl had been "mOre sinned against
than SHINING"
"Do ,ou suppose" he asked "that Captain Holm
knows now that you heressg"
| 81 am sure he does not" answered the deserted
| young wife. "lf he had known it, he would have
| returned to me- He never dreamed that you were
| the next heir TO poor Uncle Ralph"
"You parted in quarrelp'
eyes father; but it was not sudden outbreak.
| He came home one day from the town where Ills
| regiment was stationed III terrible humor Wa
found afterward that every officer in his rerimept
| had cut him, for conduct unbecoming an oficar
| and a gentleman lie was Obliged to sell ont he
| commission as soon as possible after thatn ~ MS
"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 he took his effects and mounted his horse
| and rode toward Sleaford at furious pace have
never seen him since. i do not know whether he
| is living or dead"
"Your young life shall not be blighted by this
| scOundrew cried the colonel. 1.-THE law shall free
| you from any claims he may choose to make upon
! you when he discovers that his deserted wife is
| really an heiress. My first movement shall be to
procure you release from the villain.
And until you have obtained divorce from him
Win they let me keep my chid9" asked Igua.
| tia
'Of course, dear"
"Dear fatherP' she said softly, "My whole life
shall try to show my love and gratitude to youo
Before the colonel could reply, Miss Redrutl
stalked into the room, Enthusiastically anxious
single glance set her mind at rest. The colonel
held his grandchild on his knee, and Ignatia was
looking up at him with grateful eyes
"Al is forgiven and forgotten" said the colonel
cheerfully. "lgnatia and the child will start fol
London with me by the morning train.
81 will not take her TO Redruth while that scoun
drel has the shadow ola claim upon her
The evening was passed pleasantly and without
restraint. No further allusion was made to N ami
Holm and col. Redruth told stories of his IndfaT
life charming his hearers into forgetfuness of IL
natias profgate husband.
at about two O'Clock the next day. Col Redrutb
Ignatia and little Georgia. took their leave OF Mis-
Redrutb, and drove away from the Moor.
They were obliged to wait nearly an hour for thu
| mail down train
The gray dusk was falling when they steamer
into the station at Huntington. A porter entere
and lighted the ceiling lamp, and went out again.
Suddenly two young men came sauntering alon
the platform.
One approached the door of the coach occupie
by Col. Redruth's family, and looked in, A guar