The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1881-02-11
CHAPTER II.

'Iucy, / have sorFowful 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 / must tell yo1.
Arthur Bolton has robbed his father, and
deserted the girl he promised to make
his wife r
81 can not, will not, believe it," she
cried. with head erect and eyes afame.
"Why should Ibis father-say it
unless it were the bitter truth ?" he re-
proachfully asked.
'"Too trle-too truer' she walled in
her heart; and from that hour her cheer
fUlness was gone, and subdued sadness
took its place.
1t 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 disgraceful conduct of his
son, and become his wife, she resolutely
| declined.
''Neverp was her quiet reply, and that
was the last she thought of it.
| Sir James returned home from his last
visit in a 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
hght-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 [
have consigned my son to misery for her
sake? No! Deprived of her and of my
son, what is left in life for me ?"
1t 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 Importance
might be attached to it, she determined
on acceding to the request. It 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 top
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 his
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 has name
dragged again in the mud, nor do ask
Tor pity. I am woman, sir, and as
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?"
Boldly her blue eyes met the piercing
gaze rivited upon her. For a moment
Sir James paused; then, with an impetu-
Gus spring, he caught Lucy by the hand.
In vain she stove to wrench herself from
his grasp.
"Cease!' he cried, in husky, passion
ate tones ''You must, you shall hear
me! Miss Grey-Lucy-darline-" and
his hot lips almost touched the cheek
which had become as alabaster: ssmv
son has deceived, deserted you-tran.
pied upon the tender love of your heart
and not only yours, but mine-his IA
theirs. Heaven!'' here the strong man
shook as with palsy. "That my son
should be SO base, SO cruel! Lucy, the
sympathy which I, as his father, have
felt for you has turned to love--idola-
try"
"Monster! awayr she gasped, with a
convulsive spring backward, while her
eyes flashed, her cheeks crimsoned, and
her hands were clenched. "You-his
father-to insult me-let me passp
"Never!' he Kissed, springing to her
side again. eff not with your will, then
without it, you shall be my wife,
And, snatching a moistened handlker-
chief which had been lying on the table,
he pressed it firmly to her nose and
mouth. In o few seconds Lucy Grey
sank senseless to the floor. Gently lift
ing her in his arms, SIR James carried
his senseless burden through the gloomy,
intricate halls till he stood before heavy
door rusty with age. Unlocking it, he
entered a large room with diminutive
windows, through which single ray of
light threw its halo over swords and
weapons Wondering into dust. De
posting his burden on a large square
bed standing in a corner of the room, he
silently withdrew, and, an hour later,
was strolling modify through the
garden below.
CHAPTER III.
Good morning, father!" exclaimed a
hearty voice, and, glancing up, from his.
paper, Sir James Bolton beheld his son.
Springing excitedly from his seat, he
exclaimed
"You, Arthur? Where"
why, father" cried Arthur, ''you do
not seem very glad to see me-"
But Sir James, recognizing his rash
ness, had recovered his self-control. Elk
tending his hand, he exclaimed:
Pardon me, Arthur, but your return
was so unexpected, and so welcome,
that I"
Enough, father DEAR" the young
man gently returned. 81 know that I
am welcome, especially when I have a
satisfactory report of my work to hand
in. But I can not stay with you long.
Associations here aretoo sad, too bitter"
And his blue eyes looked inconceivably
unhappy, for he was thinking of her who
bad written him soon after his arrival in