The morning news., 1889-03-17
DORA RUSSELL.
LALL RIGHTS RESR VEDl
CHAPTER XIV.
nnEG HnME
A N o V FL.

ether Gen. Seaforth, had taken in the
sorthern district, where he commanded.
# was a days journey from the northern
1oos+ IN which Headfort frowns down upon
tbe misty sea. He had telegraphed to his
Mother to expect him, and a carriage was
-roitihe for him at the station nearest to
his fathers place. He arrived home about
o90 o'clock in the evening, and as he drove
round the circular approach to the house,
4 ba saw his neither standing watching for
j him at the open hall door, and few mo-
rents later was in her arms.
mMv dear boy, | am SO pleased to see
n ror y said this gentie-faced little woman,
iissing her son fondly with her pretty
faded lips. Indeed, everything about Mrs.
Saaforth was pretty and faded She had
email delicate features, pale faded hair,
dai1tv little hapd', and her dress also was
invariably composed Of either black or soft
II nautral tints. Her expression, however,
H vas very beautiful 1t was so serene that
uncouseiously IT reminded you of higher
things. the peace which the world cannot
give had left its stamp on the sweet placid
face. and looked out of the pale soft eyes.
Kenard was her only surviving child, and
Mrs. Seaforth loved him with an absorbing
love.
She put her arm through his as the serv
ants were bringing the luggage into the
hall, and together they went into the draw
ing room. where the general was sitting
reading the newspapers. He rose and shook
his sons hand very cordially, and inquired
after his Journey. He was keen and soldier
Unlocking, of some go years, and had been
a man of war from his youth upward, and
had seen much active service in various
quarters of the globe. He too was fond of
his boy and sometimes used to boast that
Kenard had never cost him blush or
sigh Not that the general was a man
given either to blushing or signing. He
was a tough old soldier, a bit of a martinez
if the truth must be told, and an exacting
husband to the gentle wife who obeyed him,
and looked up to him in everything
Il tell you what, Lucy" he had said to
her when they had. received Kenard's tele-
gram in the morning, "he's coming to try
to talk US over about that girl; but mind, TIL
stand no nonsense"
Mrs. Seaforth felt quite timid, therefore,
at the idea of Kenard speaking to her on a
subject on which she would be forced to
give him pain. She talked quickly and
nervously all the time he was eating his
dinner, for it was characteristic of the gen
eral that he had not waited to partake of
that meal with his son. Every day the din
ner was served precisely at O'Clock in the
generals establishment; and he did not
break through this rule because Kenard
was expected at or half-past Kenards
comforts, however, had not been neglected
by the tender mother, ana she sat and
watched him with loving eyes.
They talked of all sorts of things except
the subject nearest their hearts, and Col.
Forth's name or that of his daughter was
never mentioned during Kenard's first even
ing at home.
But the next morning, when the general
bad ad an dt1tio
Kenard having declined to accompany
him, began walking restlessly up and down
the breakfast room, where he and his
mother we're; and the timid little woman
felt her heart sink within her, as she was
sure Kenard was about to talk to her of his
love.
And presently he began:
II want to say something to you, mother"
he said, abruptly.
"Wel, my dear" and in her agitation the
dainty fingers dropped two loops from the
knitting needles of the red silk sock she
was knitting for Kenard.
ITS about Miss Forth, )" continued Ken
ard, nervously; Ruth Forth, you know, to
whom was engaged"
II had hoped that was all ended, Ken
ard; your father was very angry about it,"
But why, motherf' asked Kenard, ener-
getically. ''She's as good and pure a girl
as ever breathed, and | cannot understand
what my fathers objectionto her can be-"
You see, my dear, there were sad thing
SAID out in India about her sister, u and poog
Mrs Seaforth lost some more loops.
But what has her sister to do with Ter?
Besides, this very sister is going to marry
Col. Kenyon, of Sudley Park, who used to
command the - Lancers, you know
We'll, hope it will turn out well,
kenard; it is certainly very fortunate
thing for Miss Forth, under the circum-
stances"
But what were the circumstances,
motherP said Kenard. sharply, aud he
stopped before his mothers chair, and g
delicate blush rose to her faded cheeks as he
did so.
My dear, do not like to repeat scan
dal, particularly when Miss Forth is going
TO marry an honorable man like Col. Ken
yon"
But think it is only right l should
know, when you condemn her young sister
for her sake for l am sure you have heard
nothing against RuthF'
No, Kenard, but your father and /
thought
Mother, did either you or my father
write TO Ruth, and tell her you diapproved
oi my marrying herp now asked Kenard,
abruptly.
Certainly not, my dear" answered the
gentle little woman, looking up in great
fAA9Oi wore We llhely 10 90 nyUnlnR un-
hnown to you-our own dear boy?n
henard bent down and kissed his moth
to his. app
%, Thank you for that, motaer," he said;
out the strangest thing has happened
NUN wrote to me to tell me it must be all
VYeI between us, and she sent for me yes
..eTgay to bid me good-by; and though she
DoIu me she cared for me, that sle never
moulu care for anyone else, still she said
we must part, and l could not understand
Then she has given you upFn
es-but, mother, don't mind telling
!ou-lt isn't because she has changed to
me you know; man can tell when girl
really likes him, and Ruth really likes me,
anu most truly love her. Mother, dye
KNOW Know never would care TO marry any
inner IHiN woman If | don't get Ruthl feel
,.a but you won't always feel thus, Ken
Oh won't l thought She's so pretty,
% anI 50 sweet, and so tender; and seem to
uuuerstahd her heart like she understands
haif hlRe; And yesterday saw her heart was
hon han oroken-and, and 1 am miserable about
sue must have some strong reasonln
VI course she must, and | want to find
I Iue what it is. / don't half like that
sSl gSaupsome sister Of hers, can tell you; can
yo,, yrS uaVe .d. had anything to do with it, do
49,, l should think Miss Forth would have
by, oeeh too happy TO sec ure such hus-
tortL .,L as you for her sister, said Mrs. Sea-