Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1893-02-23

DE Lency. daughter of CASTOR DE
Lency."
The officer exclaimed: Then, mad
am have the honor of introducing my
self as, St. Clair DE Lency, your cou-
SIM
SPECIFICS for moment she gaZed
upon him with searching eyes that
studied each feature and expression Of
his countenance. Here then was made
known to her the mysterious resem-
blance he bore 10 Ter father He was
the son Of her father brother, native
Of the North She had often heard
her father speak Of brother wing in
one Of the Northern cities HIS name
was La Clair De lency This was his
SOD. His presence now seemed provi-
/ Dental Glenmere could no longer be
her home. aud she with her cousin ST.
/ Glars advice. would soon fOrsake it for
/ the North At his urgent request she
decided on Washington City Is her fu-
/ ture place OF residence; that city being
/ the home Of his parents He procured
a pass through the Federal lines for her,
and her two faithful old servants. He
also procured a guard ID protect her old
/ home ilenmere. OF which be bad now
become the proprietor, he having pur-
chased it from Aleen, giving her check
on q Washington bank for the amount
due The thought that had previously
filled her mind with apprehension as to
how she could procure means necessary
to provide home ia the North, and a
livelihood for herself and two old SER
wants, was banished from her mind and
she now began to prepare for her de-
parture from the plantation.
Her household linens and wearing alp
parel were carefully packed by imam
mey Chloe. in boxes of cedar provided
many years before. These were locked
and placed in the attic of the mansion.
Here they were brought for safe keep
ing until in more prosperous season
they could be conveyed to her Northern
home. On the evening before her de-
parture Aleen collected the Jewels.
which for generations had been handed
down as heirloOms in the family of DE
LencY. These she placed securely about
her person. The large jewel cases were
found to be too cumbersome for safety
during the journey.
Her mothers wedding trosseau, that
had been legacy left her at her moth
er's death, she made up into package
and put away for safe keeping in a
satchel in the dressing. adjoining
her chamber.
The night was well nigh spent ere
she, and faithful Chloe found their task
completed, and the few hours left were
devoted to refreshing slumber in order
that they might be ready for the duties
of the morrow. When she descended
to the dining room next morning, she
was Joined by st. Clair, who had OBJ
tanned permission from his senior officer
to remain at the plantation over night.
St. Clair did ample justice to the sub
stantial breakfast which had been pre-
pared by old Chloe. but the heart of
Aleen was filed with saddest emotions,
at the thought of leaving her dearly be-
loved home, and, the dainty portion
upon her plate remained almost un.
tasted. Breakfast st length over, she
and st. Clair repaired to the sitting
room.
The hours passed and the time arriv
ed when she must start on her journey.
She visited now, for the last time, each
room of the mansion and at last entered
1 her dressing room and robed herself for
her long journey. Chloe now took the
precious hand satchel into her possess
ion. as this was to be her especial charge
on the way. The great family carriage
stood in waiting before the door. Pom
pey occupied the coach box and old
Chloe climbed up beside, much TO his
dissatisfaction.
Aleen accompanied by St. Clair now
appeared. He assisted her to enter,
then followed and took a seat by her
side.
The coach passed on its way through
the groves of spreading magnolia and
live-oaks that lay on either side of the
driveway. The giant oaks stood as
seutinels on duty, dark and gloomy,
bearing aloft their banners of Spanish
moss that swayed in the breeze like
banners of mourning.
Above the massive gates giving access
TO the grounds of Glenmere, short
oxen pannell had been fastened bearing
the quaint legend: "This is the prop
erly ct Unionest. protect it. All
Federal troops that came this way saw
those words and needed them. So
Glenmere, though forsaken, was not
| left unprotected.
The coach rolled on and Aleen lost
all sight of the mansion. With tears of
regret she sank back among the cush-
ions and the journey was completed in
silence.
In due time the coach reached Vicks-
burg. st. Clair remained till he saw
Aleen safely started on her journey to
the North. At the last moment as he
held her hand at parting and babe her
farewell, he pressed into her hands q
roll of manuscript, with the request
that she should read il after she reached
her destination. Aleen gave the roll
into the keeping of "Mammey' Chloe,
who carefully locked il up in the satchel
oyer which she kept such faithful guard.
For days the powerful steamboat
fought its way against the tremendous
current of the mighty Mississippi. Dav
after day the majestic bluffs on each
side of the river came nearer and nearer
to its banks. The scenery grew more
and more attractive each day to Aleen
I t,a hs,. 4