The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-07-01

left behind him in the old country ruined
castle and few acres Of barren land in
habited by disconnected tenants who refused
to pay the rent, and talked darby about the
Land league and other disagreeable things.
Under these circumstances, with no rent
coming in, and no prospect Of doing anything
in the future, Brian had left the castle Of his
forefathers 10 the rats and the family ban
shee, and came out 10 Australia % make his
fortune He brought letters OF introduction
10 Mark Frettlby, and that gentleman, hay
ing taken a fancy 20 him, assisted him By
every means in his power. Under Frettlby's
advice Brian bought station, and, to his
astonishment in few years found himself
growing rich. The Fitzgeraldi had always
been more famous for spending than for
saving and it was an agreeable surprise TO
their latest representative to find the money
rolling in instead OF out. He began to in
dulge in castles ia the air concerning that
other castle in ireland, with the barren acres
and discontented tenants In his minds eye
he saw the old place rise up in all is pristine
splendor ont Of it's ruins: he saw the barren
acres well cultivated, and the tenants happy
and content-he was rather doubtful on
this latter point, but, with the rash con
fdence Of eight-andtwenty, determined TO do
his best TO perform even the impossible.
Having built and furnished his castle IN the
air, Brian naturally thought of giving it a
mistress, and this time actual appearance
took the place Of vision. He fell in love with
sfadge Frettlby, and having decided in bis
own mind that she and none other was fitted
TO grace the visionary halls of his renovated
castle. he watched his opportunity anu de
clared himself. She, woman Ike, coquetted
with him for some time, but ut last, unable
TO withstand the iLipetuOsity Of her Irish
lover. confessed in n low voice, with pretty
smile on her face, that she could not live
without him. well-loyers be
inc of a conservative turn Of mind, and ac-
customcd 10 observe the traditional forms of
wooing, the result can easily be guessed.
Brian hunted all over the jewellers shops in
Melbourne with love like assiduity, and hay
ing obtained n riih wherein were set some
turnuois stones as blue as his own eyes, lie
placed II on her slender finger, and az last
felt that his engagement was an accomplished
fact This being satisfactorily arranged, he
nest proceeded 10 interview tie father, and
had Just screwed his courage up 10 the awful
ordeal when something occurred which
postponed the interview indefinitely. Mrs
Frettlby was out driving, when tho horses
took fright and boted. The coachman and
groom both escaped unhurt, but Mrs. Frettlby
was thrown out and killed instantaneously
This was the first really great trouble
which had fallen on Mark Frettlby, and he
seemed TO be stunned by IT, Shutting
I no -aft To Slf4
any one. even his daughter, and appeared az
the funeral with white and haSgard face,
which shocked every one. When everything
was over, and the body Of the lato Mrs
Frettlby was consigned to the earth with all
the pomp aud ceremony which money could
give, the bcreaypd husband rode home and
resumed his old life But he was never the
same agan. His face, which had always
been so genial and bright, became stern and
sad. He seldom smiled, ard vixen he did II
was a faint, wintry Smile, which seemed
mechanical His whole heart seemed cen
tered in his daughter she became the sole
mistress Of the St. Kld2 Mansion, and her
father idolzed her. She seemed 10 be the
one thug left to him which gave him an in
terest IN life, and had it not been for her
bright presence constantly near him, MARI
Frettlby would have wished himself lying
beside his dead wife in the quiet graveyard,
where there is no trouble CT care. After a
time had elapsed Brian again resolved 20 ask
Mr. Frettlby for the hand Of his daughter
when for the second time fate lntcrposed
This time IL was a rival sutton who made his
appearance, and Brian's hot Irish temper
-. iDIf ia ie
field. The gentleman in question was Mr.
Oliver Whytc, who h:d come out from
England a few months previously, and
brought letter of Introduction 20 Mr.
Frettlby, who received him Hospitality, az
was his CUSTOM and Whyte soon made him
self perfectly at home in the - kilda man
sion.
Brian took dislike to the new conner the
first time be saw bin, for Mr. Fitzgerald was
a student of Lavater, and pr.ded himself on
his reading of character His opinion OF
Whyte was anything but flattering to that
gentleman, for IN spite Of his handsome face
and suave manners, both Brian and Madge
felt the same repulsion toward him as they
would have to snake. Mr.. Whyte, how
ever, with true diplomacy, affected not TO
notice the cold way III which Madse received
him. and began to pay marked attention TO
her, much to Brian's disgust AT last he
asked her to be his wife, and notwithstand-
ing her prompt refusal, spoke to Mr.. Frettlby
on the subject Much to the daughters as
torishment, that gentleman consented to
Whytes paying his addresses to Madge, and
told her that he wished Ter to consider the
young mans proposal iayOrably. In spite OF
all Madge could say, he refused 10 alter his
decision, and Whyte, feeling himself safe,
began TO treat Brian with an lnSolence which
was highly CALLING TO Fitzgeralds proud
nature He called on Whyte at his lodgings,
and after violent quarrel with him had left
the house, vowing to XII! Whyte should he
marry Madge Frettlby Fitzgerald went
alone to Mr. Frettlby that same night, and
had an interview with him He confessed
tina. he loved Madge, aud that bis love was
returned So, when Madge added her en-
treaties 10 Brians, Mr. Frettlby found him
self unable TO withstand the combined
forces, and gave his consent TO their engage
ment Whyte was absent IN the country for
the next few days after bis stormy interview
with Brian, and it was only on his return