The morning call., 1891-10-25

as yet upon Dick and Meg. reflected through
that weary night. When she rose she had
decided. She could trust Horace Walton
despite everything.
Eagerly she waited his coming, but note
marked private, arrived instead, stating he
had received telegram on serious business
which compelled his going at once to Lon
don. Laura's heart sank
London! That was where Meg said the
woman had gone. Was he indeed false?
No, she would not believe it.
CHAPTER III.
Nearly a week had passed and no further
news had come from Horace. when Mr.
cashmere entered the m0rning-ro0m, an
open letter In his hand.
"Here is nice thngP' lie exclaimed.
Horace has been offending his father most
seriously. Were you aware, my dear Laura,
OF any difference between themP'
None papa" her cheek growing pale.
"Well, Sir John has disin herited him."
"DisinheGittd him!' cried all. while
Laura, with Il quivering lip, said:
Papa, please read the letter."
"Oh, there's no explanation there. See -
Dear Ldshmers: For reasons that, being per-
sonal, cannot even explain TO you have dis
Inherited my unnatural sou. He had fair warn
ing given him. He has not taken H. so hence
forth lie may go his own way, get his living how
my house, which latter he never puts foot in
| again Owing 10 your daughters unhappy en-
/ gagement TO the ungrateful scoundre you are
! the first inform Of this. as Horace, being now
beggar instead of my hrir, The betrolhal is at
| your option 10 break oil. Yours In friendship,
but great sorrow, JOHN WALTON.
The Lashmeres heard perfectly aghast!
| What could it mean? The younger peoples
| ideas Immediately flew to the woman in the
| pine wood
Laura" whispered Dick. I'VE ought to
! tell The pater."
do SO. Dick" murmured the girl. calmly.
" am going to my ROOM.
But it was not to weep. Sitting down, she
| wrote:
Dearest Horace: We have just learned that
| for some personal cause Sir john has disin.
| had not decided before. i trust you implicitly
| dear. Whatever may have occurred, feel moth
| ing has really come between our love- or rather
| yours for me. Our marriage may be deferred,
| but shall ever sign myself, yours forever.
LAURA.
! Having sent this off, she informed her
| father and mother.
| That's all very we'll and womanlv. nv
| love-" said Mr. cashmere, dryly; "but you
can't wed a beggar; while l must find ont
who that woman is, and what Horace has
done to be dsinherited."
Another week went by then, but not be-
fore a letter arrived from Horace to Laura.
| II ran thus:
My O,cn Brave Sweet Darling: Would that 1
could express half the joy your noble letter has
| given me; though, do you think would allow
|
| neverl My fathers unnatural conduct however.
| has removed the seal from my lips, and to-day
| shall be at Devor, bringing companion with me
| TO explain all that you asked. I'LL then, sweet
| love, au revor. HORACE WALTON.
| He was coming.
Well, Pm glad of that" remarked MI
| cashmere if the boys in the right, why,
Laura, money shall not be an obstacle to
| your union.
Great was the anxiety as the morning
wore on. Would Horace be there that day !?
| Meg hoped nor, as Dick CHANGED to be absent.
| But about three o'clock in the afternoon
fly was heard to roll up the avenue. and
few minutes after the foOtman announced
! Mr. Horace Walton.
lie entered the room where the family
were seated, bright and happy expression
| on his cOuEtenance, while on his arm leaned
a lady clad in deep mourning.
| " AmyW calculated Meg, invoiuntarily.
and hoped, inaudibly. but Horace heard it.
"Yes. Amy-the original Of the portrait"
| he smiled. Mr.. LashmeTe-nay, TO all-let
me have the pleasure OF introducing my
| sister,
SISTER,
| Laura's heart was beating too joyously tor
words. why. Horace, we never knew you
! had one"
TT is sad story. SIR" answered the young
man, yet an old one"
"a daughters disobedisnce." put in Amy,
timidly
And a fathers harshness," continued
| Horace, adding:
Laura. will you let Amy tell you her
story while l relate it here?"
Laura at once arose. and, giving her hand
| to her lovers sister, led her into the rose
| garden.
When they had gone, Horace said
Il have sent Amy away. Mr. cashmere,
i rs l feel you can listen better to her story
| during her absence.
About three years ago my sister was con-
sidered the handsomeSt girl in our county.
| She had numerous and high born suitOrs.
| but her affections were given to a Lieuten-
! ant who had little but his pay Worse than
that, on making Inquiries. we learned he
| did not bear the best character among his
! fellow-officers. My father fastened to COM
municate this to Amy, but was too late. She
| had elOped with the scoundreL who had faS-
| clnated and deceived her.
My father banished her forever from his
| affections and his home. A year later we
| learned the Lieutenant had been broken In
| his regiment for gambling unfairly. and my
sister was starving. NV entreaiies 80 far
| prevailed on my father that he consented 10
| allow Amy hundred a year for herself, on
| condition, however, that ] never saw or
| communicated with her. If | ever did, Sir
| John vowed he would disinherit me- and
! cease Amys allowance. You now per-
| ceive" (he interpolated, "for of course
| Laura has told your why l dared not even
| to her reveal the name of the lady l met In
| the pine wood"
MI cashmere nodded a friendly afima-
| tive.
wretched one. though In his way her hus-
band loved her. His chief support was
what he madeiat the gambing-tables.
"a short time ago, leaving her In London.
| he paid visit to Germany, when she took
| the opportunity of cunning to see me here.
| The morning after she left l received q tele-
| gram implOring me to come to her. | went,
to find her in much distress. Her husband
| had met with an accident. and was believed
to be dying. l accompanied her to Ger
many, where we arrived only in time to see
| him before he expired. Somehow at this
period my father discovered that | had
| broken my word in respect to seeing my
| sister. and disnberited me. | wrote a letter
| of explanation, explaining the husbands
| death; it was returned to me unopened"
Yes" remarked Mr.. cashmere, The is
| in terrible rage"
He will never forgive, fear; but, dear
sir. can you forgive me and ray sister the
sorrow we have brought uninten tionally to
you and yours?"
Forgive, my dear Horace!" cried the
gentleman, extending his hand; II honor
You for how you acted. You are welcome
back to Devor and so is your sister. though.
"True, sir; but bitter has been her re-
| peptance. She Is here"
As LAURA aud her new friend entered,
| Meg stole to Horace's side.
"Oh, Horace" she whispered, at was all
nv fault 1t was / who saw you in the
wood win you ever forgiven"
II forgive, dear Meg, as | am forgiven"
he smiled, as fondly he met Laura's loving
gaze. But where is Dick?"
"Outl no, here" cried Meg delighted, 81
| hear his step. Dick, Dick" she added, as
the door opened and he entered, tits all put
right, everything. All is explained, and 1
am SO happyp
What madcap you are, Meg" laughed
the young soldier "Ah, Horace-you
| hereP"
Yes, Dick, and Horace's sister," laughed
| Meg. "Let me introduce YOU
"WhatW gasped Dick. as he, turning,
| changed white and red. Mrs. Meredith p
Captain Lashmere," murmured Amy,
| blushing crimson
"Why, have you met before?" exclaimed
| Horace.
I'VE met once or twice in Ireland" STAN
mered Dick. painfully conscious, as was
Mrs. Meredith, that every eye was upon
them.