Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-12-07

res, tie 1TSeness IS even greater Inan
l thought at first, (" he said. "But there
is more of strength in the face. more of
self-reliance. A happier future lies be-
fore you, 1 hope and trust. Sit down,
Eustace-we have much to talk over to-
gether."
A long eolloquy then followed, deep
ly interesting 10 them both. In answer
to Lord Alphington's question as to
why the proofs lad not been brought
forward sooner, Eustace said he could
give no positive information-he had
never been taken into his mothers con-
fidence-and that, from some hints that
had been dropped-chiefly, he confess
ed, by his cousin Sedley-he had been
afraid to attempt to prove the question
Of his Legitimacy.
81 think now that probably my moth
er felt sore that her husbands relatives
never acknowledged her, having no idea
he had kept his marriage secret" he
said. ''She was a woman who held
strongly to any prejudice she had once
formed, and she was stanch Republi-
can. | can suppose she dreaded | might
be taken from her by my English rela-
tives, and brought up in a different
sphere than her own. No doubt with a
view to the future, however, she was
always desirous should obtain the ut
most culture; and, after l left college,
she sent me to travel for some years in
Europe. returned to America when
| was warned that her health was fail
ing; and she died a few days after my
arrival. When she felt the end draw
ing near, she told me for the first time
about my fathers family, and placed
the box containing the proofs in my
hands, charging me not to open it till l
reached England, and then to bring
the contents at once to you. How /
was robbed on the way during severe
attack of illness you already know.
LemOnt was assiduous in his attendance
upon me. took it for kind-hearted-
ness then, and was glad to reward him
as far as lay in my power, but it seems
now he had another motive"
did you know this Lemont at all?"
Lord Alphington asked.
mo; had never seen him till we met
on board-nor did l hear his name, as
in the ship he was called Pierre; but
when Bertha Dalton described him, l
recognized the man at once" Eustace
replied.
From the past they drifted into talk
ing of future plans, and Eustace, not
wishing to have any secrets from his
grandfather, told him of his engage
ment to Bertha Dalton:
II guessed as much" said Lord Alph-
ington, smiling. ''You have my full
consent and appreciation. She is a
charming girl-the one I certainly pre-
fer, in spite of her sisters beauty.
Poor Madelina!'' the Earl continued,
his voice taking a serious tone. ''She
must by this time be aware of her dis
appointment; Sir Stephen Langley has
gone to break the news to Mrs. Dalton.
The shock will be great.n
Eyes, poor girll'' st. Lawrence was
going to add that she would be suf-
ticiently punished, but checked himself.
Little love as he had for Lena, he had
no wish to throw stones at the fallen,
nor to prejudice her in Lord Alphing-
toms eyes.
Evening had come on before Lord
Alphington allowed his newly-found
grandson to leave him, and then it was
only because he found the young man
was impatient to see his betrothed.
II will not keep you from Bertha"
Lord Alphington said. Though I am
old and gray now, l have not quite for
gotten what it is to be young. Come
and breakfast with me in the morning,
and we will then settle our plans for
the FUTURE
So they parted, mutually pleased
with each other. Lord Alphington felt
as if his long-lost son had been restored
to him, and st. Lawrence'S happiness
was made cOmDlntn nv findinp in him
relation to him one whom he could so
thoroughly love and respect.