Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-10-06
LADY THORNHURSTS DAUGHTER.
CHAPTER /.
THE FATHERS RFTuPN

one of the most fertile in Lincolnshire.
perhaps in all England.
Ihe house is picturesque old stone
dwelling, which has stood couple of
centuries.
AT 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
lhat owner, twenty years ago, as to-
day, was Miss Jacobea Redruth. She was
and IS possessed of first-class business
aoliltles, active in her habits, keen, sharp
wltted, and her own farm manager.
she was not woman Of social habits,
nor particularly given to hospitality.
lhere was vein of parsimony in her
nature, that made social gatherings at her
expense positive pain, but she had come
OF fine old county family, and her an
cient name and excellent lineage procured
her friendly recognition and formal visits
from the various 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 re-
cluse.
Late one afternoon in MAY, nearly
twenty years ago, Miss Redruth was seat
ed 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 ap-
pie orchard. which was covered with
bloom. with a strangely intent gaze. One
might have supposed her engaged in abb
struse calculations as to the probable
yield of the fruit-trees, but second glance
at her deeply contracted brows and
troubled face would have testified that
her thoughts had a deeper and more un-
quiet source.
She was gaunt, grim woman of mid
die age and of masculine appearance.
She had hard face and hard nature.
She had no tender womanly ways, no gen
tie womanly sympathies, no sentmentali-
ty, as she loved to say, no fondness for
womanly employments.
Redruth Moor was not an entailed es-
tate, and Miss Redruth had inherited it
from her father. The present representa-
tive 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 momen-
tarily expecting at her home, after an ab-
sence 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 ofthe Coloners appearance
drew near.
"What can say to him P" she muttered
uneasily. ''What will he say to me when
he knows all l wish the meeting were
over. Ah, there he comes"
The carriage she had sent to Sleaford
to meet her brother was in tact at that
moment seen returning at swift pace
along the dusty road. 1t turned in at the
wide farm gates, and came up the car.
riage sweep toward the porch. Miss
Redruth rose after mechanical fashion
from her chair, and went slowly out into
the wide hall, advancing 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
lightly out and ran up the steps.
Jacob! My dear sister!' he cried, in
deep, agtated tones, embracing her.
''You have not changed, at least, in the
nine years since we parted!"
Miss Redruth submitted to the embrace,
and presented her right cheek to her
brothers caress, but she did not offer to
kiss him. She was superior to such
small weaknesses.
Il am glad to see you back in England,
George" she exclaimed quietly. "You
have changed, l think; but then your
life has not been so quiet as mine.n
She withdrew herself from his arm, and
led him into the low, quaint, pleasant
drawing-room.
The Colonel halted Just within the
threshold, and looked about the room
with an eager eXpectant gaze.
lie was handsome, distinguished look
ing man, of some fifty years, with COM
plexion deeply bronzed by Indian suns,
with keen dark eyes, a grand head, and
black hair already streaked with gray
He wore iron gray military whiskers, and
his massive eyebrows were of iron gray
also, giving to his noble countenance
look of sternness 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?T
mo George?' answered Miss Redruth,
know that you are expected to-day. |
IL DCst uOt W tcil utI. dHu-uIlu L
sent her out in her little pony chaise for
drive"
Intending to let her find me here on
her returnp" said the Colonel, his brow
clearing. "You meant to surprise her
Will she be back soon P"
'.Sit down, George said Miss Redruth,
with perceptible uneasiness. 81 have
something to tell you before gnatia
comes. Did-did you hear anything over
at SleafordP Did you meet any one you
used to knowp"
II did not" said the Colonel wonder
ingly, seating himself at window COM
manding view of the road. "Was there
anything for me to hear P" he added,
with sudden change of countenance.
The child has not grown deformed, nor
had the smallpox, nor"
"How old do you think the child is pn
demanded Miss Redruth grimly. '.You
left her little girl, and she seems but a
little girl to you still. But she is twenty
years old, a woman grown"
"Ah, yes" sighed the Colonel. "She
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