Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-10-06
CHAPTER III.
IGNATIA.

SIIhI LEN L.
IGNATIA.
The little basket chase drew up before
the porch of the stone house, and the |
young lady who held the reins tossed
them to 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. |
''Where's Auuty Jacob P" cried the
young mother, in a 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 and stern face of the re- |
turned 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, romping little creature he had left, |
in this magnificent woman. Her tall and
slender figure was instinct with a 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 a step toward him,
cruel agitation convulsing her frame.
Her arms dropped, and her hands were
clasped together. 1t seemed as if she
would have knelt before him.
Father! 0 father!' she cried, in an
anguished appeal. Father, speak to
metz
That pleading cry went to the Colonel's
IL
membering that she was his child-his
only child. His heart melted within him.
He silently opened his arms, and with a
gasping cry, Ignatia sprang forward and
was folded to his breast.
For little while there was silence be-
tween them, broken only by the girls
sobs and the soft caresses the Colonel
showered upon her head and face. Then
he drew her to sofa, still enfolding her
in his arms
Father whispered Ignatia brokenly,
edo you know? Has Aunt Jacob told
you"
II know all, my daughter" answered
the Colonel gently.
''And you forgive me? You will no
cease to love mepn
The father answered only by soft ca
ress. Her terror and anguish aroused hi
tenderness and pity, and he had never il
all her life loved her with such yearnins
love as he felt for her at this momen
when she lay trembling against his breast
AUNT Jacob has told me of your mar
rage, Ignatia,' he said. IL will not up.
braid you for keeping the matter a secret
from me all these years. How long is il
since you saw Captain Holm ?"
at is nearly three years, father" was
the low reply. II have not seen him
since the child was three months old"
do you love him still ?" asked the
Colonel.
'.Oh, no, no !" she murmured. II would
rather die than live with him as his wife r'
'And this child is yours and his ?"
Eyes, 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 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 a
smile to the child. When he had throned
his tiny namesake 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 Red
ruth had already given 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 Cap
tain Holm knows now that you are an
heiress p'
81 am sure he does not" answered the
deserted young wife. "If he had known
1t, 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 his regiment was stationed
in terrible humor. We found afterward
that every officer in his regiment had cut
him, for conduct unbecoming an officer
and gentleman He was obliged to sell
out his commission as soon as possible
after that.
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 a
furious pace. have never seen him since.
do not know whether he is living or
dead"
Your young life shall not be blighted
by this scoundrel ?" cried the Colonel.
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
10 procure you release from the villain
And until you have obtained divorce
from him, we will not go to Redruth."
"Wiil they let me keep my child ?" ask
ed Ignatia.
.0f course dearn