Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-01-30

rAsts was q dress-paFads Of British
troops, has been improperly cAshiered,
and is . most faithful and deserving on
GER. He is hereby made Major Of Artil.
lery, torank from sept 3, 1873"
Very many small creatures Of the Ma
jor's acquaintance, who Stunned him
during his terrible experience, now wished
to renew their friendly relations with
him, and to have it known that they were
his friends. They we're treated with
quiet contempt.
But will it be believed that note from
Pembroke Villa came to Major and Mrs.
Courtenay in which Miss Isabel expressed
the qualification Of her father and herself
at his complete exoneration and his pro-
motion, and spoke Of the pleasure 10
would give to welcome them TO the Villal
Ralph read il, and passed it over to his
wife. Answer it, Blanche. he said.
She read it, and, leaning her head upop
her hand, she reflected. With all the
strong qualities of heart that we have
seen in her she was as gentle, as mild,
and as charitable as women are apt to be.
But she thought of the past-the horrible
pastl She thought how, in the bitter
agony of herself and Ralph, word to
save him had been begged-and denied.
Without line or comment she enyeloped
the note, and returned it to Pembroke
Villa.
Can we blame herP Who in her place
would not have done the same?
During the following year Major
Courtenay was stationed at various gar
risons about the kingdom. He enjoyed,
with his devoted wife, full and quiet
happiness.
The return of Napoleon to France in
the spring of 1915 called Britain to arms.
The regiment of our hero was one of the
first to embark for the Low Countries.
He distinguished himself during the
whole campaign, and for gallant conduct
at Waterloo, where he was thrice wound
ed, he was gazetted Colonel.
Ten years of military service in India
followed. Blanche was ever with him;
title ones were growing up about them.
When merited leave of absence came to
Colonel Courtenay it was with the we'll
earned commission of Major General.
He landed at Southampton with his
family in time for piteous message from
Pembroke Villa to reach his wife. Sir
Roger was dying in age and loneliness;
Isabel had died two years before, proud
and naughty to the last, with hardly q
being to care whether she lived or died.
and the wretched man craved the sight
of his daughters face before he de-
parted.
Blanche hurried to his bedside. She
took with her the youngest of her flock,
whom, spite of the past, she had named
Roger. The baronet wept on his dying
bed, asked her forgiveness, and was COM
forted and consoled by her presence. He
died with his little grandchild in his
arms.
Upon his death the Villa and all.of the
baronets enormous property came to
Blanche in her own right. From that
time the beautiful place was the home of
| herself, her husband and children. 1t ia
now the home of her descendants.
General Courtenay retired in due time,
| became county magistrate, and was
honored and respected with the best in
Essex. 1t was often said Of him that he
| was much inclined to be lenient with Of
tenders who we're brought before him.
More than once he was heard to sav:
None of us are very strong. We are
| all likely to err; and even the best of con-
duct and the purest of intentions will moi
always shield an innocent man from ac-
| cusation."
Those who have read this narrative will
understand what he meant.
The later lives of Ralph and Blanche
Courtenay were peaceful and sunny. The
terrible episode that clouded their early
| years left no shadow upon those that fol.
lowed. 1t may be that both were bette
and stronger for this great tribulation
Since their day, the great poet of thu
heart has told us:
Sorrow and silence are strong, and pa.
tient endurance is godlikel"
| 1.-THE End