Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-01-31
CHAPTER VII.
A 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 a widOWer, much past the
middle age, whose family consisted of
himself, his two daughters. Isabel and
Blanche-the former twenty-siZ years old,
the latter twenty-and a widowed cousin
who kept his house and superintendent 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 dlstantiy related to duke. Possessed
of great wealth. he had also served his
sovereign abroad upon important diplO-
matte missions, and he had much eZpecta-
ton of receiving 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, hOrid, equity. and rather IN
Wieidy 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 a 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 a dis
lance, it was impossible for any one to
know her well-said that her GOODNESS,
her selfshness, and her pride had but one
redeeming trait-devotiOn to her father
1t was said, too that the younger sister,
/ Blanche, was like her mother, long dead,
/ and therefore utterly unlike these two.
"Ah, Belief" replied the barOnet, Il
came out here to collect myself and tax e
breath. How goes the hurly- burly?"
Little 1 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 1 have been permitted to
remain in London, where was having
/ such splendid time, instead of being
/ hurried back home at this time? I'm
! sure they can marry without my pres
! enee. I viii send my concentrations by
/ post-if this thing had to be"
The Baronet sighed.
eyes, Isabel, it had to be. You were
sent for, because 1t is your sister that is
to be married, and should dread what
the world would say OF your absence at
| such a time
Why did it have to be, father? Why
is it necessary that your daughter should
marry poor captain OF artillery have
set my mark as high as a cOrOnet; if Isa-
bel Pembrok doesn't reach it, she VIII
\ live and die Isabel Pembroke"
The baronet looked with admiration
upon the proud. erect figure Of his child,