The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-04-11

considered plebeian marriage, had been
cast off and disowned by her proud
father and all her friends and relatives.
"With her husband and his young
orphan sister, Florence Nevergail, they
had left England; and Nevergail soon
became talented lawyer, respected, and
received into the best society in New
York City.
ut was then, at their house, first
met and passionately loved my beautiful
Florence. infatuated to the widest
degree with this young lady, I could NOT
leave the place, and before many weeks
passed discovered that she reciprocated
my warm devotion.
"When she did confess her feelings, I
saw at once that asking for the consent
of my father would be useless, so I urged
a private marriage. To this she con-
sented, if I could gain the appreciation OF
her brother and his wife.
"In remembrance Of their own happy
life, brought about by marriage solely
for love, their consent was soon given,
and in their presence we were united.
II took my darling then to the -
Hotel, one Of the finest in the city, where
I engaged o suite Of apartments, and
dropping my title, I lived with her the
happiest year of my life, under the SIM
pie name of Edward Worthington.
aBut, alas! our joy was but for brief
period, for when our little girl was only
three weeks old, she left me for bright
er world-a never-fading heritage on
high.
@After her death I was inconsolable.
Life for me was aimless; so / cared not
what became of me- Then Mrs. Never
gail came with her sisterly advice and
consultations, and in her pious efforts l
again regained my outward composure.
"Outward, I say, for within my heart
remained that horrible, overwhelming,
wild, and utter desolation. s
sMrs. Nevergail, with the consent OF
her good husband, then offered to take
charge of my infant child, saying that
perhaps at present might not desire to
announce my marriage, or her existence,
to my proud and stern father "
"After giving the matter consideration,
I consented to their plan, and made up
this package at that time, to be kept
until this birthday. I charged them to
keen my secret sacredly, and to give my
little one their own name (her mother
had already named her EtheD, and
bring her up in every respect as they
would had she been actually their own.
II informed them that on this birthday
she might be told this story, but until l
reclaimed her I desired her to remain
with them. If at this date my father
still lived, should settle upon her
suitable allowance, and perhaps visit her
occasionally in New York without his
knowledge.
zone year ago he died, and at once
wrote to Mrs. Nevergail the fact, and
told her that ! had now inherited the
dukedom, and should consider myself
free to recall my child.
"She instantly answered to the ad-
dress I had given her, communicating
the fact that she was a widow, very near
her end, and begged me to leave Ethel
with her until she should pass away, or
until, at any rate, the fifth Of October.
She told me she should sail for England
very soon, taking Ethel with her, and
said that l could hear Of her at the resi-
dence of her cousin, Mr.. Rogers, at any
time. / called there last week, as d.
rected, only to hear of my kind friends
death, and the astounding news that my
sweet daughter was even then an inmate
of Castle Cairn.
"Gladly REPAIRED ,htther, to meet at
once daughter, mother, and niece May
we never more be parted!p 800
aAmen, say I to that" tejaculated the
happy Duchess. II have been lonely,
indeed, without my son. Now I am old
and need a sons care and attention"
(which care, rest assured, shall al.
ways be yours" again repeated the
Duke, as he stopped and pressed warm
kiss upon her still handsome cheeks.
When in the morning DR.. Glendenning
called and was told the news, that the
poor governess was no other than Lady
Ethel Worthington, acknowledged oaugh-
ter of the Duke of Westmoreland, his
heart sank within him, and he could
only whisper in trembling tones;
"NTill this noble relationship cause you
to regret our engagement? Oh, Ethel,
Ethel, will this part us?"
"Never!" was the glad reply. "My
father knows too well the value Of true
love, and he surely will not refuse his
consent to our union. If he does, I am
Of age, and have promised that nothing
shall stand in the way of our marriage.
Nothing did separate them.
The Duke was much pleased with DR..
Glendenning'S manly demeanor, and
when he timidly asked for his daughters
hand he smiled brightly and gave his
consent.
So Lady Ethel Worthington married
DIR. Earle Elfenstein Glendenning, amid
great rejoicings and vast displays of
wealth, beauty and fashion, after which
the "bonnie" bride was welcomed gladly
to the remodeled and greatly improved
Hall, place that still bore so strange
history.
Sir Fitzroy lived nearly two years after
the marriage of his son, and these years
were unclouded by single sorrow.
He loved his children fondly, and was
greatly beloved by them in return.
He died at last quite suddenly, and was
laid to rest beside his brother Arthur in
the family vault.
Sir Earle Elfenstein Glendepning,
NJ. d., and his beautiful wife, Lady
Ethel, were ever regarded with true al
fection by Oil their neighbors and tenants;
and when, at last, the Duke, after MS
mothers death, did, in his loneliness,
love and wed second time, q lady OF
rank, the Countess Teresa Lowell, they
found in the new Duchess rare addition
to their circle of dear ones, and the most
happy intercourse ever existed between
the two families.
But few more words rcmain to be
said; and those relate to persons whose
names have beon mentioned In tho course
Of this story.
Lady Claire Linwood developed rapid