The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1881-02-23
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CHAPTER n.

uel. Nut, N'ln ElolCe toward tne
blue sky above he fell on his knees and
hissed, II swear i'll"
CHAPTER H.
There was nothing particularly beau,
tiful in Lucy Grey's face or forln--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 hroyancy of her spirit; ever
since Sir James had called, and, taking
her hand in his own, had gently said:
'Tucy, | have sorrowlul 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 you.
Arthur Bolton has robbed his father, and
deserted the girl he promised to make
his wife !"
81 can not, viii not, believe it," she
cried, with head erect and eyes afiamc.
"Why should his father-say it
unless il were the bitter truth q he re-
proachfully asked.
"Too true-too trnc!' 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 disgracefnl conduct OF his
son, and become his wife, she resolutoly
declined
"Never!" 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 a fierce battle ragged
within his breast. He had injured his
son-had sent him on wild-goose chase
into the very midst Of danger-had told
his intended wife the double falsehooh
that he was 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 o'
two months previous had changed to
haggard, morose, and passionate man.
"Shall / give her up now" he cried
his bloodshot eyes straining straight
ahead, "renounce her now, now when
have consigned my son to misery for hel
sake? No! Deprived of her and OF my
son, what is left in life for me?"
It was nearly two weeks after TIM
event that Lucy Grey received note re-
uuesting her to call at the residence o
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, a. the subject o
his interview would be his absent son, /
would be wise to keep the knowledge o
her call strictly private.
This note quite astonished Lucy, bu
as she did not know what importance
might be attached to it, she determine'
on acceding to the request. II was ahou
the hour of dusk that Lucy Grey, will
a cloak completely enveloping her, pre-
sented herself at the door OF the Boltol
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 to-
was hidden beneath gilt-edged volume
and musty papers sat Sir James Hi
face was slightly pale, and his eyes shon
with unnatural brightness, as, risin
from his seat, he cordially extended hi
hand toward his visitor.
"You cannot imagine, Miss Grey" h
said, in soft, melting tones, what pleai
ure it affords me to have my reques
promptly granted. My dear girl, yo
havo suffered now for long time-su
fered through the cruelty and brutalit
Of"
"Stop, Sir James," flashed Lucy
confronting him with scornful eyes. '
did not come here to hear his nam
dragged again in the mud, nor do I as
for pity. I am woman, sir, and &
such You should respect the motive whic
prompted me to come here. Now, s.
James," she cried, advancing a step fo
, fard, while the color dyed her whit
cheeks at the thought of her rashness
being drawn into SO delicate a position
"you have stated that you had som'
thing Of importance to communicate
me. What is it?"
Boldly her blue eyes met the piercin
gaze rivited upon her. For a momer
Sir James paused; then. with an impetr
GUS spring, he caught Lucy by the hsnt