Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-07-19
LURED AWAY;
OR,
The Story Of a Wedding Ring
By CHARLOTTE NJ. BRAEMK-

One by one the letters disappeared be
meath his heavy stroke, and when they
had all disappeared it seemed to him that
his daughter lay dead. In silence NOR
bitter than the silence of death he laid hi'
face down on the obliterated words.
Presently he arose and closed the record,
drawing his stately figure to its full
height.
II have mourned my dead" he said to
himself; "now it remains for me to forget"
And forget, to all outward appearance,
he did He called the butler, who from
having been so long with him, was raised
to the dignity of confidential friend
You know Mrs. Cameron's handwrit-
ing" he said. BE good enough for the
future TO look over all letters before l see
them; and, if there are any from her, de-
stroy them"
And after that time Lord Carlswood
lived as though he had no daughter Only
the butler knew how many heart-broken
letters came to Bralyn, how many pathetic
appeH s, how many cries for help. Even
If LOIi Carlswood had known, it would
have made no dilference-he would rather
have died than have yielded.
SO time passed on, and the name of the
young girl who had been the pride of his
race was never even heard; all trace Of her
had disappeared, and the servants had
ceased, even in whispers, to refer to her
Lord Carlswood grew prOuder than ever.
81 have three sons" he would say to
himself, "and they will do honor to my
name"
People said afterward that he was Justly
punished for his pride. The three young
men were all strong, healthy, and likely
To live to good old age; but, by Il strange
chapter Of accidents. he lost them. The
two eldest, who were passiOnately fond OF
yachting, were both lost in terrible
storm-they with all on board their yacht.
Lord CarlswOOd had often expressed his
dislike Of the amusement.
"Mcn who have to carry on the name OF
great race" he would say to them,
''should not willfuIly endanger their
lives"
They laughed Mt his fears; and one bright
summer il was arranged that they shorld
go to the Mediterranean. Lord Carlswood
opposed the PLAN but in the end he con.
sentcd. They touched at most of the
famous towns on the Italian coast. One
morning they were about to set sail, when
an italian sailor warned them against do
Ing so.
'"rhere will be "A white squall before the
day is over" he said, but they, Lord Carls-
woods sons, laughed at his fears.
1--WE will risk it," they said.
The sun was shining on the sea, and the
white cloud in the distance was as "a
mans hand" They set sail in despite OF
all advice and warning; they had not been
long at sea before the squall in its widest
fury broke over them. From the shore
the boat was seen to founder, and desper-
ate efforts were made to save the Inflated
men, but all in vain. On the day after
ward, when the sun shOnc warm and
bright, aud the angry sen had subsidized,
the body Of Lord CarIswoud's eldest son
was washed ashore, but the other was
never found.
Those who knew Lord Csrlswood spoke
of the terrible change that had come over
him; long years of care and toll could not
have aged him rs his sorrow did; his hair
grew white his stately figure dropped, his
hands tremblcd.
A few months past, and his anxiety
about his only son was almost pitiful to
witness. lie could not endure him out of
his prcscncc-he could not rest one minute
away from him lie was so nervously mp
prehensiye that by his cautions he made
Remember You ARE the last of the Carls-
woods, he would say to him; our name,
GU race, all depends on vou."
But, when the fiat has gone forth, who
shall arrest it-WlHt human hand shall
stay its course The last of the Carls-
woods fell i'll of II dangerous fever There
Were many who said that his fathers ex-
cessiye care helped to kill him-that he
had too many doctors. Too many nurses
that he employed too many remedies
But he the cause what it might, the result
was that, after all his care, his almost
frantic efforts, the boy died and in his old
age lord Carlswoud was left alone
For long hours after the boys death he
sat rs one stunned and bcwidered-he
could not realize the blow. Only short
time since, rs il seemed To him, wife and
children were all around him. Death had
swept them away, and he was alone.
When they reused him ut last, he stood up
and looked around him. lie bowed hi
head, white now with sorrow.
"lhc hand Of Heaven lies heavily upon
mo-" he said; and that was the only muir
muir which came from his proud lips.
Even on the day his son was buried he
looked haggard and i'll, but no word es-
capped him
silence" h said 10 himsrlr-and no man
knew the STUART of his pain.
CHATTER VII.
Lord Carlswoud owned that his sorrow
was heavy one, but it did not humble
his pride. In vain the white haired old
chaplain who had taught him when he
was a hoy. spoke to him of the hu ty
that should follow great affection
'My children are dead, sir, and every
hope of my life is destroyed; but the last
thing Carlswoud lays down is what you
are pleased to call his pride"
But the time came when he was obliged
TO look TO the future. The Bralyn proper
ty was not eutailed; 1t had passed at times
into the hands of the male heirs OF the
daughters of the house the only stipula-
ton 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-
tiers, but no son; he was succeeded by the