The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-04-11
The contents, to her surprise, ran as


! MED myself the pleasure Of seeing my
only child until she reaches her twenty
first birthday, but from train OF cir
cumstances which made this course the
wisest I, however, am now counting the
days when shall at last clasp her in my
arms, and give TO her 9 fathers kisses
and blessings. I presume You have 10
your possession q package to be opened
pn that eventful day. have seen Mr..
Rogers, and he has told me of the death
Of your foster mother, and that you are
residing at Castle Cairn, the country res,
Idence Of Edward Worthington, Duke OF
Westmoreland, situated in shire.
sMy child, shall leave Liverpool on
the morning train, reaching the castle at
noon. Until my appearance on the scene,
prefer that you do not open the pack
age. Together we will break the seal.
Until then will only sign myself, your
sffectiopate FATHER"
Noon of the long expected day at
length arrived, and her grace the
Duchess of Westmoreland, who conde-
scended to feel considerable interest in
the young governess Of her grand
daughter, together with Lady Claire,
was seated in the drawing-room, striv-
ing to calm the unusual agitation of the
anxious and excited Ethel, who restlessly
paced up and down the elegant apart
ment, or fitted from window to window,
in order to watch the drive, to catch the
first glimpse Of her coming sire.
At length her weary watch was re-
warded by seeing hanson dash up to
the entrance and an elegant-looking gen.
tleman descend.
One moment passed, then the door
opened and the stranger entered.
Tall and exquisitely proportioned, with
an air at once distingue and,easy, hand
some features and large dark eyes. hair
and full, beard rich brown, in which
blended few gray threads. This was
the picture of the one who paused mo-
ment near the Threshold to survey the
little group of ladies' 49,.
Then, as Ethel advanced few steps
to meet him, he exclaimed:
aMy darling daughter, am rejoiced
to see you!" at the same time folding
her to his bosom in joyful embrace.
5 Holding her away from him at length,
tor another look at her beautiful face,
he added:
@My child, you are the perfect image
of your mother, and to my partial eyes
she was the most beautiful woman !
have ever seem" ....-,-
These words we're spoken in so low
tone that the ladies present had not
caught their meaning, and murmur1ng
in return that she must introduce him
to the waiting Duchess, he allowed her
to lead him forward while she presented
him as "my father"
Drawing close to her grace, on being
thus introduced, he turned a half-quiz.
zical look upon her, which caused her to
spring up instantly as She met 1t, ex'
claiming;
Edward! Can this be my son Ed
ward?" E.
any own, dear mother! then you do
know me after all these years?" was the
answer, as he held forth his arms to EN-.
brace her.
Amazed at this unlooked-for revela-
tion, Ethel and Lady Claire clasped
hands in mutual sympathy, and looked
on in silent wonder.
After this fond greeting, the Duke
turned and saluted his sisters child,
whom he had never seen, after which he
took Ethels hand, and leading her to
his mother, said:
sNow, dearest mother, let me ask for
q, share of your love to be given to my
daughter, Lady Ethel Worthington, for
in her you see your own granddaughter.
Edward, this is alsurprise, indeed"
returned her grace, as she pressed the
sweet girl to her bosom and kissed her
bright, young brow. "Ethel has already
won our affections during her brief resi-
dence here, without knowing that she
could lawfully claim them. But now,
please, tell your mother who you mar
rie6, and why you kept your marriage so
long q secret?"
Before answering your question, my
dear mother, we will proceed to open
the package left in Ethers charge"
Taking the small bundle of what
seemed papers and letters from his
daughters hand, the Duke cut the
strings and drew forth the contents.
The first thing to meet the eye was a
marriage certificate, setting forth that
on October 1s, 1s-, just twenty-five
years before, in New York City, Edward
Worthington, only son Of Charles, tenth
Duke of Westmoreland, was united in
marriage to Florence Neyergail, daugh-
ter of the late John Nevergail, of Lon
don, by Rev. Henry Norris, D. D.
Next came to view magnificent circle
diamond ring which he had given to her
at the tiTe of their engagement. and
plain gold band, containing their joint
initials and the date of their marriage.
The last was his wife's wedding ring.
Then appeared small locket, set with
diamonds, containing the likenesses OF
both; and as he threw the gold chain to
which it was attached over Ethefs neck
be bade her wear it hereafter, "for the
sake Of her parents"
AS the Duchess and Lady Claire
looked at the beautiful face of Ethel's
Door, young mother, they were each
struck with the likeness she bore to the
picture, and thought she might almost
have been its original.
"Now, my dear mother and daughter,
will tell you why have so long con-
cealed the fact of nay marriage.
"You, mother, can scarcely blame me
when you remember the set and stern
disposition my father ever possessed.
His will was law, his rule rod of iron,
and a child daring to disobey him was
sure to be punished with the utmost
severity.
aWhen was only a STRIPPING Of nine
teen years, had accompanied my father
to q fox hunt, and after the chase was
over, on our return ride he commenced
talking about my being heir to his title
and wealth, and about the intense desire
he had that when married should Sc:
lect o wife from a certain number Of
ladies belonging to the nobility.