The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-26
A FATAL MISTAKE.
BY ELIZA A. DUPUY,
(WHICH SHALL BE HEIR?" &C.
CHAPTER L


xEws-As mPEoxrru CELEBRATION.
stately homo situated lofty bluff overlooking
the wiudings Of the lovely Potomac 10 the opening
OF my story Magnificent forest trees cast their
wealth OF shade over It's hosptable roof and threw
| Pickering shadows on the verdant lawn, which
stretched smoothly toward tho river. Terminating In
abrupt embankment through which carriage road
leading to the landing below-a rude platform
built OF heavy logs, overland with rough boards Sc
curely fastened down.
The house was imposing in appearance, though Il
was bu. story aud half high for IL covered large
space Of ground, and a wide verandah supported by
heavy Doric pillars extended nearly whole length
OF the front. THIS was paved with tiles brought from
Europe for ~ that day nothing OF the kind
featured in this country.
On this opened three doors-the centre the
imposing in size and finish. This led into hall
twenty feet wldc. with a handsome staircase OF pol
ished oak rising from IL TO tho upper chambers. A
door a. the loot OF this led into OF moderate
sizc, with q fireplace which marred its proper
tions-one chimney serving this apartment ana
smaller which opened from Beyond these lay
the library OF more imposing dimensions, with
shelves filled with the standard English liter OF
| that day
On the opposite side OF the wide hail. two rooms,
exactly similar to the small described opened
from H. and through either OF these gained
TO the state dining room, which extended the whole
| depth OF the house and wide in proportion. An
| immense arched window, with side lights, occupied
the contre OF the eastern WALL and two small
front gave chcerulness to the large room, which
wero often assembled elite that day the brave
| and lovely who formed what was afterward
known Washington's court few miles above lay
| Mount Vernon, built much on the same plan as Car
mora, the homestead OF Robert Carr, gentleman OF
English descent and strong prejudcos but as stanch
patriot II he had not been the descendant Of noble
English house.
! The great battle had been fought through years Of
discouragement and bitter hardship. but now IL was
nearly won and the closing scene At yorktown was
looked Tor with extreme soicilude.
Mr. Carr was TOO old man 10 take Al active part In
the struggle for he was more than sixty years OF age
but his wealth had helped TO sustain the cause and his
enthusiasm was equal to that OF the youngest nun
who gave his life Tor the country no loved His grand
father had built Carmora, aud laid the foundation OF
large fortune which descended TO him as the only malc
representative OF the family His only sister mad
been TO England TO her mothers family be edu
Gated there She returned having married there
almost as soon as she escaped from the schooroom,
and died few months afterward
Mr.. Carr still the owner OF an immense estate In
land, but nearly all OF his ready money had been
open handed lberaty throu ghout those years which
so severely tried mems souls Yet there was still
enough TO spare he declared and his house was always
| open TO those who claimed or needed the shelter OF
his hospitable roof
In largo, morocco covered arm chair he is seated
now; this 10 drawn near enough to the door Of tho
wide hall we have described 20 Afford WOW Of tho
windings Of the beautiful river which he considers
rvalcd by any other IN the world.
Hc Is heavily built man, who in the progress OF
years. bias los. the 1.-The debonar grace which once
| distinguished him IN hall hunting field. He has
grown lat and nwiedy aud the govt has attacked his
feet and partially disabled his right hand But II his
body somewhat hclpless his brain is active enough
and his will as strong-perhaps strong er-thau in his
palmiest days +.
The head which crowns his heavy figure is lon-Iike
In Its contour aud the long masses OF floating yellow
bar, thckiy mingled with gray, which ripple and
curl around hts shoulders, add TO tho resemblance
L wi n IN n "A
Of the day except grand state occasions and then
only by tho gentle hands no loves best OF all in the
word-those of his OILY and adorngiy beloved daugh-
The Dyes which look out from this strongly marked
face are dark gray large and well SET the expression
varying from GENIAL good humor to passionate fury,
the mood oi their owner changes For II the VIII OF
the lord OF Carrnora set at naught he capable OF
such excuses OF rage as frightful those
who tall under tho ban or his dspcasurc, though
And the one who breads these oubursts most Is the
daughter he so loves tor alasl her Will clashed with
HIS IN the most crisis Of her NE and Tor two
years past Bcitns Carr has had secret Of her own.
which, n revealed to The hasty and passionate
who claims her as the ono priceless Jowe Of his old
age will certainly lead 10 nm explosion which may
either cost her father his life end In her expul-
sion from the root which 10 SO dear TO her.
He has no suspicion OF the dread which she lives,
for open day himself, Robert Carr has dream OF
tho fatal weakness which darling has boon guilty
Tho time swiftly approaching when all must be-
come known, Boitina, panic OF fear held her.
self aloof her father much possible dread
ing that he might discover her nervousness and sock
| to learn Its cause.
Tho two young negroes were playing on the lawn,
and suddenly the voice Of the master arrested their
| gambols
| Caesar, Pompey, both of you young rascals go in
Of Miss Betty, and tell her that boat coming
up the rlvcr with flags dying II brings good news
good-good Tor the God Of battles has been with
| yorktown has fallen know know It must b so.
II could not be otherwise Justice roigns In heaven.
The God fathers would not iorsakc us in the
preme hour OF our destiny"
Tho lads fastened 70 obey the command as soon as
monoogue q slender figure came swiftly from the
lower edge Of the lawn, where rustic seat command
| ing good outlook on the river was pluced.
Bettna Carr did not resemble her ather In any
single trait Of person She was TALL 1.-THE as the sway
eyes, and delicate, ccarly.cut features She
deadly pale, and her breath In quick short gasps
as she crossed she lawn In obedience TO The summons
When within fow yards OF the vcranda she paused
TO gain selicontrol but lifting her hand 10 shade her
eyes pretended TO be looking out on he boat which
was swity approaching. with band Of music play
| ing See, the Conquerng Hero Comes"
'Gerald Is there" she muttered, with white lips.
''Hc promised me II no escaped from the peris OF the
battle, which know now has been fought and won,
An me--ah mo- daro suner him TO Tell tho truthg
Shall dare to face my father alter It is told He VIII
never forgive me, never! and, oh, cannot give him
up-my darling, passionate old father-even for the
man once thought ] loved beyond my lile--that
S Ss give S Sp ,1T Mow know Snx maj my
again u papa rosuses TO forgive me. Harkl he is
calling 10 inc again, ana must 20; but how shall
sustain my courage Heaven alone knows"
She moved forward with fatcrlng and unwilling
steps, anu wnen sho stood before him, Mr. Carr in
Tho midst OF his catlon, was struck by the expression
Of her face. He hurrcdiy askcd:-
Are you not well, Bettyf You look strangely, and
YOU hardly seem TO be glad OF the glorious that
must be coming Tho long agony Is over, my daugh-
ter ana freedom s won. That is what that boat
sent tell Mrs Washington, and IL brings nil
on the river the glad tdings well. IL could stand
on my feet would throw up my hat and make tho
welkin ring with huzzas; but as only old Grip
pie on his last legs must provide The best subsl ute
mat can. Get out the old buglc and will wind a
blast on II that will bring up tho darkes and III make
them howl TIL they arc backer in the face than
made them
Glad to turn his attention from herself, Bettina
into the ball. and presently returned with the bugc.
which ordinarily USED TO call the farm hands TO
gether long aud musical peal sounded and be-
fore tho boat made the landing q group OF negroes,
grnning with delight, had gathered the bluff, yell
ling and hurrahing with as much vim II the APP
proaching news included their pation from
slavery.
hoai naeralx iauchad fha ana ra.r