The daily gazette., 1876-02-10
THE LAST OF HIS LINE.
BY L. J. B.


chilly illustrates the assertion:
One stormy night, in 1916 an Italian
vessel was wrecked ON the coast OF
Suffolk, England, from which only
one person came ashore alive. He was
q young man of noble appearance, who
spoke English with foreign accent,
and having heen carried to the house
Of Mr.. Petre, the rector Of the parish,
there grew up bet'en him and the gsod
pastor, before his recovery, such .
friendship, that his host would not
hear Of his leaving. .t..--...... -
The young stranger had given him
self the simple name Of Theodore, and
seemed averse to further inquiry into
his name or affairs, but he was SO gen.
tie in his manners, so intelligent, and
so accomplished that he became
as a beloved son to the good pas
tor. II was a lonely man." said the
rector to him repeatedly, "but heaven
has given me son in pity. You will
not part from me, Theodore? l have
enough for both" ia
The young stranger replied with
warmth to Mr.. Petre's kindness, but
repeatedly mentioned that he required
ro pecuniary support-that he would
| receive means elough to render him
Independent of all such aid, ON cor
responding with his friends in Italy.
Mr.. Petre introduced his new friend
TO all whom he himself knew, and
anong others to the family of Mr.
Balls, one Of the principal proprietors
of the neighborhood. This gentleman
was of an ancient local house, and
,roud of his de. cent from follower
(of tie Saxon Harold at the battle Of
Hastings. He had large family, the
e'des. of whom, wcs his daughter,
Mary, a Dung lady possessed of great
personal attractions, and heart gen.
tie and susceptible. The stranger, so
noble in appearance and elegant in
ma, ners, made ere long deep i'm.
p cssion on her affections, which was
fully leciprocated by the object of her
e~ard, But he was modest and un.
assuLLing, and so well knew the diff
critics which his position rs an un-
known castaway involved him in, that
but for an accidental peril whicn the
young lady sustained in his presence,
from the eunmanageablenes of her rid
ing palfrey, the secret might have
been forever locked up in the recess ol
Ibis own heart. The danger of the
mistress of his affections, however
called forth a passionate poutburst o.
love. 1t was heard and responded to
= e,e the parties concerned could thinl
of aught else. =,
el The lovers met, and met again.
), "This must not be-" said Theodore, q
y length, on one of these occasions
n "y0ur father. dearest Mary, must bs
/. told all. And yet, I fear-
L "Fear!' replied the young Rlady
v "what have we to feare-you must b,
g our equal in BIRTH" and she glanced
t. with a look of pride on her lover
manly and dignified form.
ri "Birth! equal in birtbl" cried he
and for the first time Mary behelt
.. something like pride, or even haughti
l. ness, on his counteuance. But it soel
passed away, and he said: am tn
equal of your father in birth, but Gil
o cumstances exist which compel me t
" be so far, silent ON that point. l hav
0. Isworn an oath that not to one but tn
D. wife of my bosoln will l reveal m
4 name and origin"
Mary became thoughtful at thes
n words, and her lover saw a blush gath
q er slowly on her downcast cheeks. Fl
# read its Specification as clearly as if i
had been told in words. "No Mary,
d cried he ''the honor of my mother wa
. as untainted as thine own as pure 8
N the heaven that overlooks us! Bu
u mine has been a stlange doom. Thi
"a n welfare of others called from me th
iy oath have spoken of, and it must b
n kept. shall satisfy your father-fo
ne re ere long | shall have the means, pc
Il haps, equal to his own; but my nam
9. and family, have said, must be mad
e. known to thee alone-if, indeed,
ever have the happiness to call the
NINE"
Theodore did not address himself t
;, Mr.. Balls until he had communicate
es with his friends iu Italy, and receive
es such credentials as he trusted woul
oovv remove any objections that the fatht
On or Mary might entertain. Lover
nd look through magnifying glass at a
at the circumstances fayorable to the
Il. wish, but apply diminishing one
lis all obstacles and difficulties in the
rs way. So it was in the present case.-
RI When Mr. Balls was applied to b
Theodore, he started at the proposal
,,s "My daughter, sir!" cried he: "m
Dir daughter is of an ancient and homo
nd able family. The Balls family posse
r. sed this house and property, whel
= we now are, before the conquest {
M England by the Normans. You mu
&C. certainly be conscious, sir, of posse
= sing an honorable pedigree to think {
NJ NJ such proposal as this"
". Theodore's heart sank within him ,
an Mr.. Balls spoke. 81 am conscious,
,a er he replied, "of an honorable descen
Ia aud I do not come thus before 20
s without means of proving it, althoug
A [ must avouch candidly and at ono
. that there are some things connecte
with myself which l cannot disclose.
will satisfy you, by the testimony {
those whose word ought not to /
Ia, doubted, that my name is an honorabl
set one, but that name it is not in m
IN power to reveal" Mr.. Balls gazed |
. the speaker with look of surprise
a.. 81 s...o