The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-10-20
LADY THORNHURST'S DAUGHTER
CHAPTER I.

The house is picturesque old stone
dwelling, which has stood a couple of cen
turtles.
AT little distance in the rear of the house
are out buildings, all indicative of the ex-
treme thrift and prosperity of the owner of
Redruth Moor.
That owner, twenty years ago, as to-day,
was Miss Jacobea Redruth She was and is
possessed of frst-class business abilities, ac-
tive in her habits, keen, sharp witted and
her own farm manager.
She was not woman Of social habits nor
particularly given TO hospitality. There
was vein of parsimony in her nature that
made social gatherings at her expense a
positive pain, but she had come Of a fine
old country family, and her ancient name
and excellent lineage procured her friendly
recognition and formal visits from the va
rious country 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 a recluse.
Late one afternoon in May, nearly twenty
years ago, Miss Redruth was seated 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 apple orchard, which
was covered with bloom, with q strangely
intent gaze. One might have supposed her
engaged in abstruse calculations as to the
probable yield Of the fruit-trees, but a
second glance at her deeply contracted
brows and troubled face would have testified
that her thoughts had deeper and more
unquiet source.
She was gaunt, grim woman of middle
age, and of masculine appearance. She had
hard face and hard nature She had no
tender, womanly ways, no gentle womanly
sympathies, no sentimentality, as she loved
to say, no tondness for womanly employ
ments.
Redruth Moor was not an entailed estate,
and Miss Redruth had inherited it from her
father. The present representative of the
proud old family was Colonel Redruth, her
brother, an army officer, who had spent
most of his life in India, and whose arrival
she was now momentarily expecting at her
home, after an absence 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 of the Col
onel's appearance drew near.
What can | say to him 2" she muttered
uneasily. What will he say to me when he
knows all? | wish the meeting was over.
All, there he comes"
The carriage she had sent to Seaford to
meet her brother was in fact at that mo-
ment seen returning at a swift pace along
the dusty road. 1t turned in at the wide
toward the porch. Miss Redruth arose after
a mechanical fashion from her chair, and
went slowly out into the wide hall, advanc-
ing to the threshold to meet her relative.
The open carriage came nearer. Upon
the back seat sat 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, agitated 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 broth
er's caress, but she did not offer TO kiss him.
She was superior to such small weaknesses.
am glad to see you back in England,
George" she exclaimed quietly. You have
changed, | think; but then your life has
not been so quiet as mine"
She withdrew herself from his arm, and
led him into the low, quaint, pleasant draw
ing-room.
The Colonel halted just within the TIRES
hold, and looked about the room with an
eager, expectant gaze.
lie was handsome, distinguished looking
man, of some fifty years, with complexion
deeply bronzed by Indian suns, with keen,
dark eyes, grand head, and black hair al
ready streaked with gray. He wore iron
gray military whiskers, and his massive
eyebrows were of iron-gray also, giving to
his noble countenance look CT sternness
and command that well becam5 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 i'll 2"
d" No, George" answered Miss Redruth
with embarrassment. "She does not know
that you are expected to-day. | thought il
best not to tell her, and-and | sent her out
in her little pony chaise for drive
- Intending to let her find me here on her
return ?" said the Colonel, his brow clear
ing. You meant to surprise her? Will
she be back soon?'
"SIt down, George" said Miss Redruth
with perceptible uneasiness. 81 have some
thing to tell you before Ignatia comes. Did
did you hear anything over at Sleatord
Did you meet any one you used to know"
al did not" said the Colonel wonderingly
seating himself at a window comm anding
view Of the road. "W Was there anything loi
me to hear ?" he added, with a sudden
change of countenance. "The child has
not grown deformed, nor had the smallpox
nor"
" How old do you think the Child is?'
demanded Miss Redruth grimly. You lef
her aAtte girl, and she seems but littl,
girl 70 you still. But she is twenty year
Old, woman grown"
/" All, yes" sighed the Colonel. =" She ha
left behind her her childhood, butshe will b.
something dearer and nearer to me thar
simnlv a child. She will be my companion
NJ friend. She will console me in part TO
the loss of her mother. Does she fulfill he
childish promise of beauty and grace?"
She does" said Miss Redruth, settin
her lips firmly together.
al know that she is good" said the In
dian soldier, with tender emphasis. "
remember we'll her loving, sensitive nature
her winning ways, her bright, impetuou
shirt. She had noble intellect-you d
not mean, Jacob, that she is not so clear
headed as she was?" he added, in sudde
alarm.
ono. she knows enough" was the reluc
ant reply. .,,o-,.., ...;. % anil
0sbe has a lover, then? That is to be e'
pected at her age"