National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-10-13
{ EiAPTER III.

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 ahghted, helping out Il
! little child. The two ran lightly up the steps.
! The hall was deserted when the pair entered
where's Aunty Jacob 2" cried the young
mother, in gay, sweet voice. " Her chair Is
empty. Shall we find herF
She moved lightly across the floor and then
her eyes suddenly resting upon the grand figure
and stern face OF the returned soldier, she me
to an abrupt halt. \ cry Of terror and horror,
strangely mingled, came from her white lips,
Her face blanched her limbs trcmbled: she
painted for breath.
The father and daughter stood face to face
after a separa ion of nine long years
The colonel scarcely recognized the sallOw
rompng little creature he had left in this mag
nihcent 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 countcnance relax.
His daughter took step toward him, cruc!
agitation CONFUSING her frame Her arms
dropped, and her hands were clasped together.
1t seemed as If she would have knelt before
him.
Father! o father" she cried, in an an
gushed appeal. Father, speak to met
That pleading cry wsit to the ColonePs soul.
He forgot his daughters error, remembering
that she was his chlld--his only child. His
heart melted within lin. He silently opened
his arms and with a gaspng cry Ignatia
sprang forward and was folded to his breast.
For a little while there was silence between
them. broken only by the gIPs sobs and the
soft caresses the Colonel sh0wered upon her
head and face Then he drew her to . sofa,
still EMBEDDING her IN his arms.
"Father," whispered Ignatia brokenly, ''do
you know Has Aunt Jacob told you-"
~ know all, my daughter" answered the
Colonel gently.
And You forgive mc2 You will not cease to
love me2'
The father answered only by soft caress.
Her terror 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 Jacob has told me of your marriage,
Ignatia," he said. 81 will not upbraid you Tor
keeping the matter a secret from me all these
Years. How long is it since You saw Captain
Holm p
1T is nearly three years. father" was the |
low reply. Il have not seen him since the
child was three months old"
do you love him still Z" asked the Colonel !
"Oh, no, no." she murmured. Il would |
rather die than live with him his wife!"
"Aud this child is yours and his ?"
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 faint Of |
her prodigate fathers nature.
What is your name, little one ?" asked the |
Colonel.
Georgia Redruth." was the PROMPT answer.
The Colonel held ont one hand with smile |
to the chlld. When he had throncd his tiny |
namesake upon hs knee ms daughter knew |
that she was forgiven.
She presently raised her head from its rest
ng-placf and told him her story 1t differed |
little FROM the narrative Miss Redruth had al |
ready gwen her brother. 1t seemed, indeed. |
TO the father, as he heard her. that the girl |
had been more sinned against than SHINING" |
Do you suppose" he asked, that Captain
hom knows now hat you are an helress =
am sure he does not" answered the de-
serted young wife. IT he had known i. he
would have returned to me. He never dreamed
That you were the next heir to poor Uncle
Ralph"
" You parted in quarrel Z"
Yes, father but 1t was not Sudden out
break lie came home one day from the town
where his regiment was stationed in II terrible
humor, We found afterward that every office,
an his regiment had cut him, for conduct un.
becoming All officer and gentleman He was
oDnged 70 sci out his commission as soon as
possible after that.
he was full of rage, which he vented upop
me. lie cursed himself for falling in love with
me, when he might have won an Reiress.
" At last he took his effects and mounted his
horse, and rode toward Sleaford at turious
pace. nave never seen him since | do not
know whether he is living or dead.
iour young life shall not be bighted by this
scoundrel. cried the Colonel The law shall
lree you from any claims he NAV choose To
make upon you when he discovers that his de-.
serted wife IF really an heress Nv first move
Ment shall De to procure you release from tl,s