Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1889-05-25
LURED AW A
on.
The Story Of a Wedding-Rin
by CHARLOTTE NJ. BRAEnE.

My children are dead, sir, and every
hope of my life is destroy ed; but the last
thing a Carlswood lays down is what you
are pleased TO call his pride"
But the time came when he was obliged
TO look 10 the future. The Bralyn proper
ty was not entailed; il had passed attimes
INTO the hands OF the male heirs of the
daughters OF the house, the only stipGla
tiOn being that whoever reigned there
must take the title and name of Carls-
wood. In the reign of George the First,
Francis, Lord Carlswood, had three daugh.
ters, but no son; he was succeeded by the
second son Of his eldest daughter, who had
married Lord Burton, and SO the success
sion was kept up
But now Lord Carlswood looked around
him with a vague feeling of fear and won.
der as To who vas to succeed him, who
was to carry on the glories and the honors
Of the grand old race. He had no next of
kin: there was no stout, stalwart young
cousin whom he could summon as his
heir, and every drop OF his ancient blood
rose in hot rebellion at the thought Of %
strangers reigning at Bralyn. What was
20 be done? In great tribulation, Lord
Carlswood sent for his lawyer, Mr.. Ford.
Of Lincoln Inn.
Mr.. Ford had been the family solicitor
for many years. When Miss Carlswood
ran away from home, he had begged her
father to give her at least a small fortune,
but the master OF Bralyn had sternly re-
fused. From his countless thousands he
would not give one shilling.
Not even 20 save her life," he added;
ard Mr. Ford turned away with a sigh.
After ilpf hn Dpy-ar Il mad 70 ,oopt;N, bar
name; and now, when his lordship sent for
him TO consult him, he hesitated before
speaking.
There is but one course | can suggest
10 your lordship, and that will not please
you"
What is it?' was the brief question.
II was unfortunate enough to incur
your anger the last time | referred TO the
matter. Nothing but the deepest interest
In your affairs induces me TO risk n rep
etition of the %olfcnse. Your lordship for
gets that you have still n daughter living"
81 have no daughter" was the stern re.
ply; "she died years agO-to me"
she may have had children ~ continued
the lawyer: she may have sons and
daughters. Granted that the o0cnse she
has committed is objectionable, her chill
dreu are innocent"
Lord Carlswood's face grew very pale.
He pushed away his chair, and began to
walk with rapid, agitated footsteps up and
down the room. Mr.. FO.d watched him
i~ntcntly the while.
Innocent" he said at length, with
sCOruful emphasis. They may he inno-
cent enough, but you forgot they are the
children OF Il low born, low-bred thief, who
stole my-my daughter from me-"
! 1t was SO many years since his lips had
fashioned the word that they seemed TO
tremble over it.
How could l." he continued, "bring
the children Of such a man 10 live here at
Bralyn? How could | let them succeed
such ancestors as mine? 1t is impossible"
1T would be better, perhaps, than TO al.
low "a stranger to come after you, or thar
letting the old name 90 10 ruin and decay.
They may be the children of Thornton
| Cameron, but they belong TO your race
| also. my lord-thcre is no denying that
| fact-they may even have your features"
An expression Of unutterable loathing
| came over the proud Old face.
81 hope not, - he said, abruptly
"They may even" continued the lawyer,
with great diplomacy, "have the grand old
Carlswood spirit-the fire, the chiyaIry,
the honor OF the race"
Lord CarlswoOl's face cleared.
"If that should be the case" pursued
Dir. Ford. they havsa greater claim to
succeed than any stranger without these
characteristics could have. After all,
there is something in a rightful claim: and
most certainly the children of katrinc Is
may Carlswood ought TO come after her
father-that would be a crying injustice
to pass them over"
You are begging the question: said
his lordship, sharply-'she may have no
children
IL grant that: bpt | suggested that we
should find her, and then we shall know"
At first Lord Cariswood was violently
opposed to the idea-hc would never let
the children of that thief" have Bralyn.
"IIe was a thief!' cried the old man, in
a sudden passion of anguish. "f he had
stolen all my wealth, | could have spared
it far more easily than | could have spared
my daughter"
He buried his face in his hands, and the
lawyer respected his grief. Lord Carls-
wood won d not at first consent to Mr..
Ford's proposal; he was angry, contempt
uous,~ indignant; but after a time he re-
opened the discussion, which Mr.. Ford
considered a good sign; and then he lis
tened TO reason. next made excuses for
himself, then wavered in his resolution.
and finally agreed to what was suggested.
He persuaded himself that after all he
had only listened to reason-that he had
only consented to DO what was best for his
race. He would not, even TO himself, own
that natural affection or "A lingering rem
nant Of love for his daughter had actuated
him. Having yielded, he wrapped himself
in a mantle Of reserve; he became TO all
outward appearance harder and prouder
than ever. But Mr.. Ford saw how the
proud face quivcred with emotion, and the
firm lips trembled. The old nobleman
was silent for some minutes after he had
given his consent, and then he turned sud
denly TO Mr.. Ford.
IF it has to be lone at ALL" he said;
'let it be done quickly; there is no time 10
De lost"
Then they began to discuss details. Mr..
Ford found, not much to his surprise, that
Lord Carlswood knew nothing of his
daughter-that he had never heard one
word Of her since she left home.
HAS she never written?' asked the law
yer.
y