The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-02-02
We're Vernon's Heritage.

unstained by any who have possessed it. 1t
is n noble heritage, and surely safeguard
against temptation, since who would be the
first willingly to blot a fair escutcheon?"
So spoke We're Vernon of Vernon Hall,
his handsome face flushed with feeling, his
tall form drawn to its full height, his broad
shoulders thrown back, his blonde head held
almost haughtiy, as he glanced up at the
portraits of his ancestors surrounding him
in the picture-gallery, where a little group
of four from among the guests gathered
under the hospitable roof of Vernon Hall,
had congregated.
1t had been a question put by Miss
Struthers which had elected the above re-
ply.
A strange smile had wreathed her thin
lips as she courteously and attentively lis
tened to each word, and she gave one
quick, stealthy glance at girl standing be-
side but Nora Fitzgerald did not see the
look. Her blue eyes were fixed upon the
speakers face, and in their wonderful depths
was a rippling light, as though her heart
echoed his every word.
His gaze, too, rested on her as he fin
ished, as though seeking her sympathy and
support.
Nora Fitzgerald was his fathers ward.
She had been brought to their home desc
late orphan-nay, worse than orphaned
but of that poor child she knew nothing,
nor ever should know he swore, could he |
guard from her the secret the more that
lately he had learned another secret--the |
secret of his own heart which had passed |
irrevocably into this little Irish girls keep |
ing.
shade swept over Miss Struthers' face |
as smile of almost loving confidence was
| exchanged between these two, and for an
instant her own eyes flashed with lurid
light, which seemed to reveal depth of
jealous hate black as their hue.
"You may indeed be proud of your race
Mr.. Vernon" she answered, in low, swee
tones ''Nor have the women of your house
ever brought upon it n shadow of disgrace I?
Have none of your ancestors married unwor-
thy or beneath them?"
"Never!" lie made answer They
considered it too sacred heritage for their
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 lie glanced with reyerent tenderness
at the picture of his mother, a beautiful wo.
man, 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 itself
in the heart hc would 80 gladly have guarded
BY Offering his own as its safeguard.
Miss Struthers was again the first to
speak, but she now addressed her compan-
ion, young cavalry officer, spending his
furlough at the Hall, and already victim to
pair of black eyes.
"It is too lovely to spend the morning
within doors. l challenge you to game
of tennis. Mr.. Vernon, Nora, will you
come 7"
1--WE will join you presently" said We're,
quietly. 4
She turned away with a shade of disap-
| pontment on her face. At the door she
paused and turned back We're Vernon's
gaze was fixed on his mothers portrait.
"Will 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
quick gesture of relief.
Nora" he said "do you know that /
think l can find no more fitting time or
place to tell you something l have wanted
to tell you for many daysY Look around
you, DEAR here, where 80 many noble men
and women look down upon you, and let
me ask them to welcome you among their
number as the sweetest rose Vernon ever
plucked. Nora, darling will you make me
the proudest bappiest man on earth? Will
you be my wife ?"
The quick tears trembled on the lono
lashes the breath came quickly through
the lovely, parted lips She glanced up with
a bewitching shyness. J..
"Ah, We're, am not worthy " she whis.
pered.
He caught her to his heart.
"Not worthy, little one ?" he said, look.
ing proudly down upon the beautiful face
he forced upward to meet his gaze. lis
this all? Then let me silence the doubling
| lips forever
| Aud bending still lower his royal head, he
pressed upon the lovely mouth the first
lovers kiss which had ever rested there.
"You loyo me, darling?" lie asked, few
minutes later.
AZ have always loved you," she answered.
other men"
| The young man laughed-a frank, joyous
laugh, good to hear
different in your eyes only, little one,"
he answered. But may they ever remain
in their present state of blindness"
That evening, tho betrothal of the young
msster af the house TO Sir Vere's ward and
almost daughter was formally announced.
The guests received it with sincere pleas
ure, though scarcely surprise, the servants
with loud accamations of delight. Miss
Nora they had known and loved from child
hood. They need serve no strange and
naughty mistress, to take from her her place
in the old house.
But there was one beneath that roof who
heard it with angry and inorodulons amaze,
All Helen strWheN' secret ambitious hopes
were bligAted by the words to which she
listened so smilingly- blighted, but not
hopelessT So This she swore, even while
she murmured her honeyed words of con-
gartulation with the rest
" Is lac mad Z" she asked herself-"is he
mad, or can it be that ho does not know
But she heard his words to-day, She
Is buta child Through hex | Will strike 10
VIM