The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1884-02-16
CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER IL
Lord BOwmOnt was q proud. q very
proud man proud of his ancient name,
his vast estates, his large rent-roll proud
! Of his aristocratic WIFE his noble looking
son and his beautiful daughter; and,
more than all, he was proud Of himself.
TO maintain an exalted position in the
circle i'll which he moved lie kept very
extensive establishment in town and
others equally extensive i'll the country;
SO that, even with his large income, he
lived beyond it.
His earliest lesson to his only son was
the necessity of marrying a fortune, a
lesson which his son forgot the first time
he saw the lovely daughter of the village
clergyman.
Although intensely selfish from the
effects Of his early Indulgence, Eugene
was impulsively generous, high spirited,
but courteous; proud, but polite; he was,
III truth, his fathers pride and the apple
of his mothers eye.
A year before our tale commences he
had met, at the residence of Lord Dunk
elan, who resided at the Hall in the vii
;age of Dunlo, the darghter of its clergy
man. be loved her at once; her fresh
young. beauty, her intelligence, her
charming simplicity won his heart, and
thoughtless Of the future, he gave HIM
self up to the infatuation of the hour
He was but twenty one, five years
older than the fair girl, who soon began
to listen for his footstep and hang upon
his words when he came to her fathers
cottage.
The old man loved the youth, and the
gay laugh and pleasant voice of his visitor
pleased him. True, he seldom heard
Geraldine laugh now; but her sweet
voice had o moro tender charm, dearer
than ever to his fond heart.
At length Eugene brought an invitation
for Geraldine from the lady of the Hall
to spend few days with her All! could
the confiding, blind old man have seen
the deadly pallor that crept over her
face as she read to him the words of tho
invitation, he might have stayed the
course of events that were hurrying hia
beloved one to ruin!
Geraldine left her fathers home and
returned in week-the wife of, as she
believed, Eugene Bowmont
For some months the young husband
cajoiced in having secured his prize
Then came reflection and half-fear that
lie had been too kasty but on every visit
to his beautiful wife he returned more
1lsgusted with the superficial qualities of
The young ladies thrust on his attention
BY Lord and Lady Bowmont. Next fol-
lowed espostulations, entreaIes and cold
ness; until at length Lord Bow1nont,
With a stern Dir, desired his presence in
his study.
Eugene, said his lordship, 81 wish
you to understand me- Of late I have
lesired that you should give attention to
'everal young ladies, with one Of whom I
'iicrld be glad you should form con-
lecaion; but you appear strangely indif-
erent TO my wishes and their perfechons.
should like to know why:
"Perfections, Ely lord: Inlperfections,
7Ou should have said.
Eugene, this lightness does not please
ne, and will avail you nothing. believe
lie report which I have heard from your
lister to be true sir-that., Incredible as
t may appear, Jcu are infatuated with |
he charms Ct some rustic country gri."
Eugene caiorea 10 the temples. You
re mistaken, sir, he said, haughtily; |
the
Pray, spare your epithets, Eugene"
aid his 1a.ne;, :::s.,.as..;;eally. and Iis:en
0 what I have 10 s;.y. You are aware Lay
expenses are quite equal to my income;
indeed, With Your mothers fortune, the |
after was barely enough. And Of late
-eals l have been obliged to effect heavy |
Mortgages on her estates. and you are |
vsre that our own We're I,crGgaged to
considerable extent when came of age.
Eken they descend so you, Eugene you
I'LL be almost beggar. Do you under
Sand?-a begggar!"
Eugene became deadly pale. ''I un-
he murmureL
'There is but one way to maintain
our position that is, By marriage"
But" said Eugene.
II listen to no butts, sir; the thing is
ositive You must marry Immediately.
our quarterly allowance ceases from
o-day. l can afford it no longer.
My dear father, said Eugene, greatly
gitated, consider !"
Il have considered, sir, and this is my
ecilon. Let me know who is the
svored object of your choice and will
eceive you as my son. Until then we
re strangers. 3"
With a naughty bend of the head the
roud man left the room, leaving his son
prey TO ths most conflicting emotions.
TO BE ossrrs