The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-08-30

| knIbfr~~ was Gu0 luucIlC-
| HHNaNHNTGTR7T- III ance of Roger
SzSiIEE7ssx:> K ts5 i; sst;s. yss alone I"
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to his son. Before
and after that sad event the young
man had travelled over most of the known
world, but at last, weary of wandering,
| he had come back to his native land, and
once more trod the domain that had been
In the family for generations back.
On three sides could be seen the broad
stretch of rich upland that called him
master; over tho avenue of elms on the
fourth one might get glimpse of the
| tvy-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 - years of age.
Then some trifling dispute about bound
ary line arose, and, both being men OF
passionate tempers, 1t had waxed warmer
until it assumed the proportions of a
family feud.
The families were separated, and never
to 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 a pesti-
lcnce while in the south. and that the
! bereaved 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 affliction,
Lawrence Richmond had forgotten his
enmity, though Roger doubted not the
lame still slumbered in his breast, for he
was man of powerful mind; hence, he
had wisely rcfrained from making his
return homo 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
TO be travelling in foreign lands, and
the young heir made no attempt to un-
ieccive them. He had no desire for
company but had come home for rest.
Darrell Chace was in itself grand old
pile of masonry, end the architect must
have been IL deep disciple of the Cor
inthian and Doric orders, for there was
IN 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 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 out for miles back OF
the two plantations, the young master of
Darrell Chace came upon the prettiest
scene of lifetime spent among what
have been termed the beauty spots of
| the world.
Upon the bank of a picturesque little
brook that sang noisily as it wendod it's
way through the forest, young girl sat
with book in her lap that had Tenny-
son look about it, but with her eyes
fastened upon little Skye terrier, which
was performing all manner of antics
upon the opposite side of tho strcam:~-
Indeed, the first intimation he had of
her presence was the girlish laugh so
clear and silvery, like the notes of true
bell, with which she had greeted some
escapade of the little animal.
Afterward, whenhe looked back to this
time, Roger Darrell realized that his
HcufU Huu BOnt OuI W IulS Slii Iilcu anu
there, even before he had exchanged a
word with her.. .s.
He had seen much of life but whatever
strange may have befallen 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. he
gazed upon that face, The void in his
heart was filled, and the misanthropic
ideas engendered by lonely life van
'ished as if, touched by a magicians
wand. and all the earth appeared beau
They soon became friends.
There was Something intensely at
tractive about Roger Darrell. He was
strikingly handsome, talented, and, be-
sides. had an air OF sincerity about him
that must have caused respect from
everyone who was not a deadly foe.
1t made him vince little when he
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