Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-02-21

there Wes a dress-parade Of British
troops, has been improperly cashiered,
and is a most faithful and deserving ON
Ger. He is hereby made Major OF Artil-
lery, to rank from Sept. 3, 1873"
Very many small creatures OF the Ma
jCr's acquaintance, who Stunned him
during his terrible experience, now wished
80 renew their friendly relations with
him, and TO have 1t known that they were
his friends They were treated with
quiet contempt.
But viii it be believed that q note from
Pembroke Villa came 10 Major and Mrs.
COurtenay in which Miss Isabel expressed
the qualification of her father and herself
at his complete eXOnsratiOn and his pro-
motion, and spoke of the pleasure it
would give to welcome them to the Villa!
Ralph read it, and passed it over to his
wife. Answer it, Blanche. he said.
She read 1t, and, leaning her head upon
her hand, she reelected. 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
past! She thought how, in the bitter
agony of herself and Ralph, a word to
save him had been begged-and denied.
Without line or comment she envelOped
the note. and returned it to Pembroke
Villa.
Can we blame her? 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, a 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
for az
at Waterloo, where he was thrice wound
ed, he was gazetted a Colonel.
Ten years Of military service in India
followed. Blanche was ever with him;
title ones were growing up about them.
When a 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 a
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 baTonet 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 aITof the
! barOnet's 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 is
now the home of her descendants.
| General COurtenay retired in due time,
| became a 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 were brought before him.
More than once he was heard to say:
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 not
always shield an innocent man from &C
| 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. It 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 godlike!"
ETEE END.