New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1881-05-11
S7EP-MOTHER AND S7Ep-SON.
a Story of Love, jealousy, Ha-
tired, Revenge and Heroic
Sclf-Sacritice.
BY the Author of "D0ra 7h0rnc," "a Bridge
of Lore," lyar we Herscy,"'"A
Him Bcstf'' "a l;osc IA
IHO19lS," DC, sc.
CHAPTER I.

cling perhaps than that presented by
| Larchton Mere with it's covering of
snow. Snow beauties everything it
touches, but it changed Larchton into
fairy-land," lying like a bridal veil
over the fair earth. 1t was worth
travelling hundred miles to see the tall
frs and larches stretch out their grand,
bare branches laden with snow, to see
the holly-trees with their fair burdens
of scarlet berries and the soft, white
snow lying in the hollow of the glossy
green leaves, to sec the giant oaks and
beeches, and the hoar-frost like not of
| delicate silver thrown over the hedges,
to see the grand, picturesque pile of
building called Larchton Mere. and the
broad sheet OF water from which it took
| its name, which was frozen over now
and looked like silver lake.
Over the beautiful landscape the
moon was shining brightly. The mag
nificent mansion, with its picturesque
turrets, its grand sweep of terraces, and
it's large oriel windows, stood out clear
~, the moon lighting up every line of
| the delicate tracery round doors and
| windows. From the windows streamed
floods of light; and, when the great hall
| door opened to admit one or other of
the numerous visitors, there came forth
| a warm, ruddy glow that was cheerful
| and pleasant to see.
The interior of the house. was the
very ideal OF comfort and luxury; the
entrance-hall with its lofty groined roof,
the magnificent suite of rooms that lay
! on either side, the broad staircase with
its rich crimson carpets and white
statues, the large and well-flled picture
gallery, and the broad corridors upon
which the sleeping-rooms opened, were
all exquisitely decorated and brilliantly
lighted, while the air was fragrant with
the breath of flowers.
1t was six O. clock on Christmas Eve;
and the sole occupant of the drawing
room was very young and handsome
man, who looked far older than he real
ly was. He was of lofty stature and
powerful build, with q certain we'll
bred ease and careless grace that be-
came him well. His head, we'll set and
proudly carried, noble in shape and con-
tour, was crowned with clusters of dark
hair. At first sight he looked unlike an
Englishman, resembling one Of those
dark, handsome Spaniarls whom Velas-
quez has immortalizcd. After second
glance, one felt quite sure that he was
English, from the frank and bold ex-
preston Of his face. His complexion
was dark, and dark moustache shaded
beautifully shaped mouth.
His character might be read in his
handsome, high-bred face; he was
proud, generous, impulsivc, impatient
of control, frank, bold and independent;
and, Judging from the dark eyes that
shone at times with dreamy splendor,
he was poetical and imaginative per-
haps not the best-tempered Of his race,
given to quick ebu}litions Of hot anger,
forgotten a few moments afterwards,
but none the less sharp while they
lasted. He possessed a simple, straight
forward sense Of honor that won eYery
one.
He might have been forgiven some
impatience at that moment, for he had
much to try him. His father was bring
ing homo a step-mother, and the young
man could not conceal his anger. It
seemed to him unjust and unfair that a
girl should be brought into the very
heart of his home and put in his moth
er's place. His father had been happy
enough for twenty years; why should
he bring wife home nowp TO add to
the young mans annoyance, not only
was his father bringing his new wife
home, but he had also arranged for the
usual Christmas party; and the son had
little heart just then either for receiv-
ing or entertaining guests. So that
Ross Levin Cumnor had some little ex-
cuse for the frown on his dark, hand
some face.
His father, Sir Austin Gunner, of
Larchton Mere, was almost the last de-
scendant of the grand old race of Cum
nors. The Cumnors had been holders
of Larchton since the reign of James l.;
and, though frequently offered a title,
had never cared to accept it. They had
been quite content with the simplicity
of their own untarnished name. But
Sir Austen differed from his ancestors
in this respect; and, when he was Of
fered a Baronetcy for some political
service that he had rendered to Govern
ment, he accepted it. The estates of
Larchton Mere were not entailed. It
was always in the power of the head of
the family to leave them as he would.
But, as a rule, they had passed either
from father to eldest son or from
brother to brother. Sir Austen was
quite at liberty, if he chose, to disin-
herit his son and sell all his property;
there was no one to say him nay or to
interfere.
Sir Austen was a handsome, accom-
plished man; and during his Cont
mental tour he met and fell in love with
a Spanish heiress. He married her and
they lived together in perfect happi-
ness. Inez de Luna loved her hand.
some English husband with all her
heart. One son-Ross born to
them; and then came the sorrow that
blightcd Sir Austen's life. His beauti-
full young wife fingered out in the
woods one night while heavy mist
was falling, caught a violent cold,
which settled on her lungs, and, in
spite of all that. skill, love or money
could do, she died in less than six
months, leaving her little child Ross
and her husband discOnsolate.
For twenty years Sir Austen mourned
her, and devoted himself to the boy,
When Ross went to Eton and Oxford,
his father spent a great deal of his time
49, oA.S' W fSiAu >OWu w SUI ILL.,
and, when business Of some Importance
connected with his late wife's estate
took Sir Austen to Spain, by his desire
Ross remained at Larchton Mere.
you will find plenty of amusement
and plenty of occupations" said Sir
Austen. ''You will have hunting, shoot
ing and fishing, and the care of the es-
tate. 1t will teach you more than all
else to have the management of the
place in your own hands" And Ross
was we'll pleased to be able to prove
his ability.
Sir Austen had not thought of being
away longer than two months; but in
this case the adage of .'.Man proposes
was verified. Passing through Paris on
his way to Spain, he stayed a few days
with some old friends, Lord and Lady
Sligo. At their house he met q beau
stiful English girl, who, from the first
moment she saw him, marked him for
her own. She was distant relative Of
I1dv S1irn f,1nun,. eo,,d g nn.,<,,,n ;cI, ~