Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-01-20
THE HEIRESS OF OAKDALE.

THE lElREco OF UAhDALE.
"Olkdale IS TO be inhabited at last!''
exclaimed my father, with an heir of
great excitement, as he entered the
drawing-rOOm where my mother and !
were sitting.
"Indeedl l am very glad to hear it, "
ssidmy mother, laying down her book,
and looking up to him with an air of
Dleasad attention. who IS coming
theTe:"
"Ah, that IS the question that has set
al the gOsSlps of the county by the
ears. " replied my father. ''At first it
was said a wealthy banker had bought
t.then the idea Of a retired nabOb was
started. and lasted for a whole week.
But the reality Is certainly romantic. !"
"YOu have not yet told Us what it
is" observed my mother.
"a young girl, just eighteen, and 4
yery lovely reality | am told she is, "
was the reply. stephens and Rawson
Ero.e 10 NE about the estate six months
since, and said they had a client who
vas willing TO comply with all the terms
and conditions of purchase" )"
But | thought he was an old Rus
san officer, SAID my mother.
Something or the kind" replied my
father. The romance is in this that
after a long life at hard work, he being
an Englishman. resolved to spend the
few later years CT his life in his own
country. he. had made a vast fortune
and lad one only child, daughter,
who Is. | am told, as beautiful and ac-
eOmPlished as she is rich. He wished
bs English agents TO look out for an
estate for hin, money being no object:
they were to wait until one offered that
had al the advantages he wished. As
soon as Oakdaie was advertised they
succeeded in obtaining it, made arrange
Tnents f,,F Isss ving Russia and coming at
once TO take possession of his new home
be would not allow any repairs TO be
commenced; he preferred seeing the
place as It is. and allowing his young
daughter 10 exhibit her taste and please
ler fancy in the alterations.
Alterations at Oakdale." Interrupt
ted ny mother, would be simply desc
cTatiOl.n
you are right" said my father;
'but POOR Mr.. EyTle Will never make
any alterations. He arrived with his
daughter and suite in London six weeks
ago. They went to MOrley's Hotel,
where ! am really>sOrry TO say the poor
gentleman took to his bed, and died"
How sad.'' said my mother. 'Is his
daughter left quite alone?"
''Al old aunt, a relation of her faith
er's, is with her," replied my father.
''She is left. in fact, under her care. /
have Just received a letter from her,
saying that she will accompany her
niece 10 Oakdale."
What propose doing IS this: Mrs.
Vance, the faithful old houskeeper, is
still at the hall, quite alone it IS true;
but thought if Belle and you would
Ike drive, we would go over tins morn
Ing, and you can arrange with her what
servants TO engage. Some of the old
ones would Ike TO come back"
Il shall like the drive" said my
mother; II never saw any spot so lovely
as Oakdale Park; and Belle will enjoy
II, tOO.'
Need say felt delighted at the
prospect Of fair young neighbor,
though my heart ached GOr Walter Bo.
hun and his many cares.
The Bohuns had lived at Oakdale for
many generations; they were a noble,
generous, kind. but improvident race.
er Stephen B0hun, after a long life of
reckless generosity and prodigal extray-
sgance, fell II the Crimea, leaving to
us son Walter the heritance OF en-
cumoered estate and debts of enormous
magnitude.
when Walter was old enough he was
se4t 10 school, then to college, ard won
goiaea opinions at both places; and his
talher, making a great effort purchased
ior nm commission in one OF the finest
regiments Of cavalry. While Walter
studied and worked, his father drank
ana spent; be was obliged to raise a
LedVy mortgage on his estate, he felt
tnat deeply, but said not word to his
Son. =! kemorse had no good effect on
.S gu stephen; he only drowned his care
tle more. Heavy debts pressed upon
~ aln, rum stared him in the face, when
t-e CHmean war began, and he who
te Lau Oeen soldier in his youth reused
L-tiiSett at the war-cry, the old martial
spirit burned again within him.
- lie wrote to his son before he left |
england, and the next thing the young
tIaLl heard was that his father had
u-ea IN the hardest and best fought en-
segment. and that whole nation hon.
o-ed llln as hero, so full of courage |
Career.
HE young heir came down to take
poSSesSlon. y Alas! it was but a mockery |
u u forms and deeds. There was moth
-Hg - 10, LOT him to inherit, save huge bundles |
= =. p4!lS, the broad, fair lands of his |
ih1.IeIs has were heavily mortgaged; and,
-gaIlng -; Of Sir Stephens death, the firm |
ed it in. -- -
NJ ny iather was left as guardian to Sir
tmaller, who lad then attained his |
:, ..,%eil'!eth year; and long and deep were |
.ae vaF consultations between him and his
yiUaLg io ward. There was, perhaps, no
,rSa, ,'s,e /, iorce binding upon poor Walter to
s,,5,I sr5 as lather's debts. lie might have
,non. r'u.aed Them, and have raised the
- 10, gage money; but he was Bchun,
~ 20, Suoln honor was far dearer than life,
8. an young" said Walter to my
bas and l must work. Others have
n-o. ~ q harder fate than mine. l love my
f'pg,esslon, pes and must live by it."
tboa astIange pain smote him as he
NNouslt Of selling that which his an.