Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-07-25

man had Travelled over most oil tne KNOW
world, but at last, weary of wandering
ne had come back to his native land, an'
once more trod the domain that had beer
In the family for generations back.
On three sides could be seen the broat
stretch OF rich upland that called hin
master; over the avenue of elms on the
fourth one might get glimpse OF the
Ny-mantled walls of Richmond Terrace
How well Roger remembered spending
half his boyhood days in the strange
manor-house, which had been, indeed, a
second home to him. His father and
Lawrence Richmond had been bosom
friends, and this intimacy had continued
until Roger was over IL years of age.
Then some trifling dispute about a bound
airy line arose, and, both being men of
passionate tempers, it had waxed warmer
until it assumed the proportions of a
family feud.
The families were separated, and never
20 this day had Roger Darrell set
foot upon Richmond property. When
his father lay dying he would have
bridged over the chasm of hate, but Law
renee Richmond was either away, or else
refused to grant the request Roger never
knew which.
Some years before, the young man had
heard that the whole OF Richmond's
family had been swept away by pesti-
lence while in the south. and that the
bereayed old man had shut himself up
In his manor, refusing to see any one but
the servants.
This he had heard while abroad.
He had now been home several weeks
and explored every nook of the well re-
membered estate. The high wall that
had been erected between the two man
sions had never been looked after, and
now lay in desolate ruins.
Evidently, in his terrible affection,
Lawrence Richmond had forgotten his
enmity, though Roger doubted not the
fame still slumbered in his breast, for he
was a man OF powerful mind: hence, he
had wisely refrained from making his
return home known to the inmates of
Richmond Terrace.
Indeed, there were few who knew
Roger Darrell had returned to the house
of his ancestors; they believed him still
~ Dt lldNtiliiH III AOttAHH anu
the young heir made no attempt to I'M
deceive them. He lad no desire for
company, but had come home for rest.
Darrell Chace was in itself grand old
pile of masonry, and the architect must
have been deep disciple of the Cor
inthian and Doric orders, for there was
an abundance of beautifully ornamented
pillars to be seen fashioned after these
styles.
The wings were huge structures, with
towers at the corners, and even in Eng
land one might search a long time with
out finding the equal of this mansion
on the Potomac.
Inside, everything was as magnificent
as the eye would wish to see, and
palace could not be more regally deco
rated.
As to the estate, it was by far the
finest in seven counties, and the heir of
all this grandeur would have been the
lion of the season at any watering place,
had he cared to show himself.
The day was bright and lovely.
Wandering through the brave old for
est that stretched ont for miles back OF
the two plantations, the young master of
Darrell Chace came upon the prettiest
scene of a lifetime spent among what
have been termed the beauty spots of
the world
Upon the bank OF picturesque little /
brook that sang noisily as ii wendell its |
way through the forest a young girl sat /
with book in her lap that had a Tenny- |
son look abcat il, but with her eyes
fastened upon little Skye terrier, which |
vas performing all manner of antics
upon the opposite side of the stream.
Indeed, the first intimation he had OF /
her presence was the girlish laugh, so 1
clear and silvery, like the notes of true
bell, with which she had greeted some I
sscapade of the little animal
Afterward, whenhe looked back to this
lime, Roger Darrell realized that his
heart had gone out to this girl then and
there, oven before he had exchanged a
word with her.
He had seen much of life, but whatever
strange may have bcfallen him, Roger
Darrell had never loved before. 1t WAS
q long time before he would acknowl-
edge the truth. even to himself. but it
seemed that from the very minute lac
gazed upon that face, the void il his
heart was filled. and the misanthropie
ideas engcndered by lonely life van
i-hcd as il touched by magiciau-s
wand. and all the earth appeared beau
uul.
They soon became friends.
There was something intensely at
tractive about Roger Darrell. He was
stsikingly handsome. talented, and, be-
s.des had an air OF sincerity abou; him
that must have caused respect from
everyone who was not a deadly foe.
1t made him vince a little when he
Iearned just before they separated thai
her home was at Richmond Terrace. but
he understood that she was a niece OF
the old gentleman. for had he not los;
his whole family when in the SOUTH