The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-01-27
CHAPTER II.

hlssed, II swear 1t!
CHAPTER II.
There was nothing particularly beau
tiful in Lucy Grey's face or form-that
is, no physical beauty - but there
was a 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, / have sorrowful news to i'm
part-news that will break your heart,
unless you boldly bare youI shoulders to
the burden. Prepare yourself, nv dear
friend, to hear what / must tell you.
Arthur Bolton has robbed his father, and
deserted the girl he promised to make
his wife -
81 can not, will not, believe itl' she
cried, with head erect and eyes ahame.
'why should Ibis father-say it
unless il were the bitter truth p he re-
proachfully asked.
'Too true-too truel' she walled in
her heart; and from that hour her cheer
fulness was gone, and subdued sadness
took its place.
II seemed but natural that Sir James
Bolton should often call, and exert him
self to cheer her; but when, several
months later, he had gently asked her to
forget the disgracefnl conduct of his
son, and become his wife, she resolutely
declined.
"Neverr' was her quiet reply, and that
was the last she thought of it.
Sir James returned home from his last
visit in q very moody frame Of mind.
| For several hours he remained closeted in
his room, while a 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
consummate his villainy? His crime
had brought suffering with it, for the
light-hearted easy-going gentleman OF
two months previous had changed to q
haggard, morose, and passionate man.
'Shall give her up now," he cried,
his bloodshot eyes straining straight
ahead, ''renounce her now, now when I
have consigned my son to misery for her
sake? mol Deprived of her and of my
son, what is left in life for me?"
It was nearly two weeks after this
event that Lucy Grey received a note re-
questing her to call at the 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 be his absent son, it
would be wise to keep the knowledge of
her call strictly private.
This note quite astonished Lucy, but
as she did not know what importanc,
might be attached to it, she determined
on acceding to the request. 1t was about
the hour of dusk that lucy Grey, with
cloak completely enveloping her. pre-
sented herself at the door of the Bolton
mansion. The servant had evidently re-
ceived his instructions, for without a
word he led her to the favorite sitting,
room of his master.
Before low table whose marble tor
was hidden beneath gilt-edged volumes
and musty papers, sat Sir James. His
face was slightly pale, and his eyes shone
with unnatural brightness, as, rising
from his seat, he cordially extended hi:
hand toward his visitor.
"You cannot imagine, Miss Grey" he
said, in soft, melting tones, "what pleas
ure it affords me to have my request
promptly granted. My dear girl. you
have suffered now for long time-suf,
fered through the cruelty and brutality
Of"
"Stop, Sir james," flashed Lucy
confronting him with scornful eyes. 81
did not come here to hear his name
dragged again in the mud, nor do ash
for pity. am a woman, sir, and al
such you should respect the motive which
prompted me to come here. Now, Sil
James," she cried, advancing step for
fard, while the color dyed her whit
cheeks at the thought of her rashness il
being drawn into so delicate a position
'.you have stated that you had some
thing Of importance to communicate I,
me. What is it?"
Boldly her blue eyes met the piercin,
gaze rivited upon her. For a momen
Sir James paused; then, with an impetu
GUS spring, he caught Lucy by the hand
In vain she strove to wrench herself from
his grasp
"Ceasep' he cried, in husky, passion
ate tones. "You must, you shall hea
mel Miss Grey-Lucy-darling-" ant
his hot lips almost touched the cheel
which had become as alabaster; "m
: son has deceived, deserted you-tram
!. pied upon the tender love of your heart
! and not only yours, but mine-his ia
ther's. Heaven" here the strong ma
shook as with palsy. 'eThat my sol
should be 80 base, so cruel! Lucy, tn
sympathy which /, as his father, hav
felt for you has turned to love-idola
! try"
"Monsterl awayp' she gasped, with
convulsive spring backward, while he
eyes flashed, her cheeks crimsoned, an
her hands were clenched. "You-hi
: father-to insult me-let me pass!'
"Neverl' he hissed, springing to he
side again. '1f not with your will, the
+ without it, you shall be my wifep'
: And, snatching moistened handkel
|, chief which had been lying on the table
0 he pressed it firmly to her nose an
mouth. In a few seconds Lucy Gre
sank senseless to the floor. Gently lift
ing her in his arms, Sir James carrie
= his senseless burden through the gloomy
!, |, intricate halls till he stood before heav
door rusty with age. Unlocking it, h
, entered large room with diminutiv
u windows, through which single ray {
light threw its halo over swords an
u weapons mouldering into dust. d.
posting his burden on large squal
/ bed standing in corner of the room, /
is silently Withdrew, and, an hour late
was strolling moodily through th
% garden below.
70 CHAPTER III.
"Good morning, fatherp exclaimed
/, hearty voice, and, glancing up, from h
= paper, Sir James Bolton beheld his sol