The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-05-13
Selrtt Storp.
WERE vERNoN's HERITAaB.

WE'RE N6AnOn . G6RA AAG6-
a proud old name, you sayg fes-
A pride Justly share in its inheritance ?
Il Is somsthiBg worthy thrill Of pride 20
have handed down 10 you name unstain-
cd by any who have possessed il, Il Is a
noble heritage, aud surely a safeguard
against temptation. since who wsald be the
6rst willingly to blos fair escntehoon !.
80 spoke Nsrc Vernon, Of Vernon Hall,
his handsome face flushed with feeling, his
tall form drawn 70 lis full height, his broad
shoulders thrown back, his hlonde head
held almost haRghtily, as be gianocd up st
the portraits of hts sncrs0rs surrounding
hinl in the picture gallery, where litsle
group Of four, from among the gsiests gath.
ered under the hospitable roof Of Vernon
Hall, had oongregated.
IL had been = question put by Miss
Ssrnihers which had elected the above re
ply.
A strange smile had vreathed her thin
lips as she courtcously and attcntiyely hs-
tened TO each word, and she gave Onc quick
s,ealthy glance at 4 girl standing beside;
but Nora Fitzgerald did not see the lock.
Her blue eyes were 6xed upon the speak
crs face, and in their wonderful depths was
= ripping light, as though her heart echoed
his every word His gaze, too, rested on
her as be finished, As though seeking her
sympathy and support.
Nora Fitzgerald was his fathers ward
She had been brought TO their home de&-
olate orphan--nay, worse than orphaned
but of that, poor child, she knew nothing
nor ever should know, be swore, could he
guard fruan her the secret, the more that
lately he had learned another secres-she
secret az his own heart, which had passed
irrcvocably into this little Irish girls keep
ing,
4 shade swept over Miss Strathers faee
as a smile Of almost loving confidence was
exchanged between these two, and for an
instant her own eyes flashed with 4 lurid
light, which seesied TO reveal depth oi
Jealous hate black as their hue.
~You may indeed be proud Of your race
Mr.. Vernon she answered, in low, sweet
tones Nor have the women Of your
house ever brought upon it a shadow OF
disgrace? Have none Of your ancestor.
married unworthily or beneath them 7
Never he made answer. They con
sidered il too sacred heritage for then
unborn children TO let their hearts, in any
case, usurp their reason. The women Of
our house have ever been stainless, and Of
untainted race.
And he glanced with reverent tenderness
at the picture Of his mother, beautiful
woman, painted in her wedding robes, which
hung above his head.
A moments pause followed his words
How little did he dream that with them he
had put sure weapon in the hands of his
most subtle enemy, which should bury II
self in the heart he would 50 gladly have
guarded by offering his own as safeguard
Miss Struthers was again the first to
speak; but she now addressed her eOmpan-
ion, young cavalry officer, spending bis
furlough at the Hall, md already victim
to pair of black eyes.
Come, Captain Harding, she cried
at is too lovely to spend the morning with,
in doors. | challenge you to a game oi
tennis. Mr. Vernon, Nora, will you
Gomez"
1--WE win join you presently, said Vere
quietly.
She turned away with shade of disap-
pointment on her face, At the door she
paused and turned back. We're Vernon
gaze was fixed on his mothers portrait.
"WilI he remember his own words !?
she said, to herself.
Then she reluctantly closed the door be
hind her, shutting those two together.
The man turned to his companion with
a quick gesture of relief.
''Nora," he said ''do you know that
think | can find no more fitting time OIL
place to tell you something | have wanted
to tell you for many days? Look around
you, dear, here, where so many noble men
and women look down upon you, and lei
me ask them to welcome you among then
number as the sweetest rose a Vernon eyeI
plucked Nora, darling, viii you make me
the proudest, happiest man on earth? VIII
you be my wife y
The quick tears trembled on the long
lashes; the breath came quickly through
the lovely, parted lips. She glanced W
with bewitching shyness.
"Ah, We're, | am not worthy !" she whis-
pered