Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-01-09
CHAPTER VII.
4 FAMILY HISTORY.


Seated on the northern bank of the
Thames, near where the river broadens
out into the North Sea, no more beautiful
villa, nor grounds surrounding it, costly
with well-kept parks and landscape gar
dens, than those of Sir Ralph Pembroke
could be found from London down.
1t was the home of wealth, of he-redit-
airy pride, of beauty and comfort, and re-
nowned throughout, Essex and beyond
for the elegant hospitality there dispensed.
Its owner was widower, much past the
middle age, whose family consisted of
himself, his two daughters, Isabel and
Blanche-the eformertwenty-six years old,
the latter twenty-and a widowed cousin
who kept his house and superintended his
establishment.
The baronet was the representative of
one .of the oldest families in the county.
He had been in Parliament ten years, and
was distantly related to duke. Possessed
of great wealth. he had also served his
sovereign abroad upon important diplo-
matte missions, and he had much expecta-
tion of receiving a higher patent of no.
bility.
Upon the morning of September third,
the events of which day elsewhere we
have recorded, all was stir and movement
at and about the villa. A small troop of
servants was busy setting the house to
rights and decorating the rooms with
costly flowers from the conservatory. The
kitchens were fairly humming with the
activity of cooks and confectioners pre-
pairing the feast for the night of the next
day. The lawns and walks were being
swept clean. The coming great event Of
the wedding filed everybody with interest.
Sir Roger, forid, gouty, and rather un-
wieldy with generous living, rose and
breakfasted late. The meal finished, he
took an easy seat on the broad front pi-
azza and looked off upon the river, where
the commerce Of the world, under sail,
| was passing before him.
Here you are, then, father" said a
musical voice, as his daughter Isabel
came up to his chair.
She was dark, naughty beauty, round
ed in form, and with almost perfect
features. Those who knew her best
and as she kept all the world at dis
tance, it was impossible for any one to
her selfshness, and her pride had but one
| 1t was said, too, that the younger sister,
] DlhACu0, Whb 4khC AOE AuOuAOIs AVuB Oodue
| and therefore utterly unlike these two.
| @Ah, Belief" replied the baronet, Il
came out here to collect myself and tax Q
breath. How goes the hurly- burly?"
Little / know, was the reply, as the
proud head was thrown back. Indeed,
]. don't find myself able to take any in
terest in such an affair as this is to be.
Why couldn't have been permitted to
remain in London, where was having
| such a splendid time, instead Of being
hurried back home at this time? I'm
sure they can marry without my pres
ence. I will send my congratulations by
| post-if this thing had to be-.
The Baronet sighed.
Eyes, Isabel, it had to be. You were
/ sent for, because it is your sister that ia
to be married, and should dread what
the world would say Of your absence at
such time.
@Why did it have to be, father? Why
is it necessary that your daughter should
marry poor captain Of artillery I have
set my mark as high as coronet; il Isa-
bel Pembroke doesn't reach it, she will
4 live and die Isabel Pembroke.
The baronet looked with admiration
Ipcn the proud. erect figure Of his child