The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-02-04
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
There was nothing particularly beau
tiful in Lucy Grey's face or form-that
is, no physical beauty - but there
was q stamp on her countenance which
God alone had placed there-the stamp
Of purity, truth, and virtue.
Since the sudden departure of Arthur
Bolton, pensive sadness had weighted
the general buoyancy of her spirit; ever
since Sir James had called, and, taking
her hand in his own, had gently said:
'Lucy, 1 have sorrowful news to i'm
part-news that will break your heart,
unless you boldly bare your shoulders to
the burden. Prepare yourself, my dear
friend, to hear what L must tell you.
Arthur Bolton has robbed his father, and
deserted the girl he promised to make
his wife !"
Il can not, will not, believe it," she
cried, with head erect and eyes ahame.
"Why should Ibis father-say it
unless it were the bitter truth ?" he re-
proachfully asked
''Too truc-too true!' she walled in
her heart; and from that honr her cheer
fulness was gone, and a subdued sadness
took its place.
IT seemed but natural that Sir James
Bolton should often call, and exert him
self to cheer her; bnt when, several
months later, he had gently asked her to
forget the disgraceful conduct of his
son. and become his wife, she resolutely
declined.
Never" was her quiet reply, and that
was the last she thought of it.
Sir James returned home from his last
visit in very moody frame of mind.
For several hours he remained closeted in
his room, while fierce battle ragged
within his breast He had injured his
son-had sent him on a wild-goose chase
into the very midst of danger-had told
his intended wife the double falsehood
that he was a thief and villain--had de-
tanned, read, and destroyed. the loving
letters directed to Lucy in his care, and
now should he renounce his purpose Or
consummate his villainy? His crime
had brought suffering with it, for the
light-hearted easy going gentleman OF
two months previous had changed to
haggard, morose, and passionate man.
+ "Shall l give her up now" he cried,
his bloodshot eyes straining straight
ahead, ''renounce her now, now when L
have Consigned my son to misery for her
sake? MOI Deprived Of her and of my
son. what is left IN life for me 2"
1t was nearly two weeks after this
event that Lucy Grey received n note re-
questing her to- call Mt tho residence of
Sir James Bolton, as he wished to see
her in regard to an important matter,
but was too i'll to leave his house. The
note also stated that. as the subject of
his interview would he his absent son, it
would he wise to keep the knowledge Of
her call strictly private. ,.. r.. 90. 81
This note quite astonished Lucy. but
as she did not know what importance
might be attached 10 it, she determined
on acceding to the request. 1t was about
the hour Of dusk that Lucy Grey, with
cloak completely cnveloping her. pre-
sented herself ut the door of the Bolton
mansion The servant had evidently re-
ceived his Instructions, for without
word he led her to the favorite sitting
room of his master.
Before low table whose marble top
was hidden beneath gilt-edged volumes
and mustv papers, sat Sir James His
Ittt VII NllSNtN pdij, tusi cl cs ciipit
with unnatural BRIGHTNESS, ~, rising
from his seat. I've cordially extended his
hand toward his visitor.
"You camot imagine, Miss Grey" he
said. in soft melting tones, what pleas
ure it affords me to have my request
promptly granted. Ny dear girl, you
have suffered now for long time--snf-
fered through the cruelty and brutality
Of" n e EtI a
"Stop. Sir james, flashed Lucy.
confronting him with scornf,il eyes. 81
did not come here to hear his name
dragged again in the mud, nor do / ask
Tor pity. am a woman, sir. and rs
such you should respect the motive which
prompted me TO come here. Now, Sir
James," she cried, advancing step for
fard while the color dyed her white
cheeks at the Thought Of her rashness in
being drawn into So delicate position,
You have stated that You had some
ching OF Importance to communicate to
me- What is it?'' .s5r ..aa
Boldly her blue eyes met the piercing
zaze rivited upon her. For moment
Sir James paused: then. with an impetu-
Gus spring, he caught Lucy by the hand.
An vain she strove to wrench herself from
his grasp. eu,
"Ceasel' he cried, in husky. passion
ate tones. "You must, you shall hear
me! Miss Grey-Lucy-darl and
his hot lips almost touched the cheek
which had become as alabaster: my
son has deceived, deserted yon-tram-
pied upon the tender love Of your heart.