The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1881-01-28

herr! And, with a glance toward the
blue sky above he fell ON his knees and
Kissed, II swear itP'
CHAPTER II.
There was nothing rar+ienlarlv beau
tiful in Lucy Grey's face or form-that
Is, no physical beauty L but there
was stamp on her countenance which
God alone had placed tbere-the stamp
of purity. truth, and virtne
Since the sudden denayt,,re Of Arthur
Bolton, a pensive sadness had weighted
the general buoyancy of her spirit; ever
since Sir James had called. and, taking
her hand III his own, had gently said:
Lucy, 1 have sorro,vfuI news to i'm
part-news that viii break your heart,
unless you boldly bare you1 shoulders to
the burden. Prepare yourself. my dear
friend, to hear what | must tell you.
Arthur Bolton has robbed his father, and
deserted the girl he promised to make
his wife :"
Il can not, viii not. believe it,! she
cried, with head erect and ewes ahame-
"Why should his father-say 1t
unless it were the bitter TRUTH he re-
proachfully asked.
TOO true-too truer' she walled IN
her heart; and from that hour her cheer
fulness was gone, and subdusd sadness
took its place.
1t seemed but natural that Sir James
Bolton should often call, aud exert NM
self to cheer her; but when, several
months later. he mad gently asked her to
forget the disgraceful conduct OF his
son. and become his wife, she resolutely
declined
I"Neverr' was her quiet reply, and that
was the last she thought of It.
Sir James uturned home from his last
visit in very moody frame Of mind.
For several hours he remained eloseted in
his room. while a fierce battle ragged
within his breast. He had injured his
son-had sent him on q wild-goose chase
into the very midst of danGer-had told
his intended wife the double falsehood
that he was thief and a 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 villsiny2 His crime
had brought suffering with 1t, for the
light-hearted easy going gentleman OF
two months previous had changed 70
haggard. nlorose. and passionate man.
''Shall 1 give her up now" he cried.
his bloodshot eyes strainlng straight
ahead, "renounce her now, now when l
have consigned my son to misery for her
sake? Mo- Deprived Of her aud of my
son, what is left in life for me %
1t was nearly two weeks after this
event that Lucy Grey received n 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 III to leave his house. The
note also stated that. as the subject Of
his interview would be his absent son. II
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
a cloak completely enveloping Ter. 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 a low table whose marble top
was hidden beneath gilt-edged volumes
and musty papers, sat Sir James. His
face was slightly pale, and his ewes shoue
with unnatural brightness. as, rising
from his seat, he cordiany extended his
hand toward his visitor.
''You cannot imagine. Miss Grey" he
said III soft. melting tones, ''what pleas
ure 1t affords me 10 have my request
promptly granted. Ny dear CiIl. Won
have suffered now for long time-suf-
tered through the cruelty and brutality
Of"
stop. Sir James, flashed Lucy.
him with scornful eyes. 4
did not come here to hear his name
dragged again in the mud, nor DO I ask
for pity. I am a woman, sir. and as
such Won should respect the motive which
prompted me to come here. Now, Sir
James" she cried, advancing q step for
lard, while the color dyed her white
cheeks at the thought of her rashness in
being drawn into so delicate r position.
You have stated that You had some
thing of Importance to communicate to
me. What is it?'
Boldly her blue eyes met the piercing
gaze rivited upon her. For moment
Sir James paused; then, with an impetu-
BUS spring, he caught Lucy by the hand.
IN vain she strove to wrench herself from
lis grasp.
"Ceaser' he cried, in husky. passion
tie tones. "You must, you shall hear
ne! Miss Grey-Lucy- darling" and
lis hot lips almost touched the cheek
which had become as alabaster: "mv
ION has deceived, deserted you-tram-
oled upon the tender love of your heart,
md not only yours, but mine-his ia
hers. Heaveni' here the strong man
shook as with palsy. THAT my son
should be so base. so cruel! Lucy, the
sympathy which l, as his father, have
ielt for you has turned to love-idola-
ny"
''Monsterl awayr' she gasped, with
convulsive spring backward, while her
eyes flashed, her cheeks crimsOned, and
her hands were clenched. youths
father-to insult me-let me passl'
''Never" he Missed. springing to her
side again. eff not with your viii, then
without it, you shall be my wifel'
And, snatching a moistened handker-
chief which had been lying on the table,
he pressed it firmly to her nose and
mouth. In a 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,
halls till he stood before a heavy
door rusty with age. Unlocking it, he
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 large square
bed standing in a corner of the room, he
silently withdrew, and, an hour later,
was strolling mOohly through the
garden below.
CHAPTER III
gGGo.oI f.