Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-10-17
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row. l have been panied by it, as
you we'll know, more than words can
express. l have been panied to think
that you should have forgotten your
position so far as to act as you have
done toward Alicia Leigh-a girl who
has been in my service scarcely a
month, who is no more than a. COM
mon servant in your own household
Where is your pride, your self
respect, Ruy, that you should have
stopped SO low?"
Ruy Penrith had leaped to his feet.
His handsome face was deadly pale
The strong passion, the selfishness
and perhaps the vein of actual cru
city, which until now had been
slumbering rnprovoked, unsupported,
beneath the calm surface of his easy
going nature, were stirred to fierce
life at last.
Il forbid you, though you are my
mother" he cried in quivering tones,
''to utter another word against Alicia
Leigh! Tonight I have told her that
[ love her with my whole heart, and
she-Heaven bless her! has promised
to be my wife. When l return from
abroad, l shall make her mistress of
Oldfriars."
Lady Penrith had risen likewise. her
rich dark gown rustling about her
queenly form, and had grasped for
momentary support the crimson back
Of her arm chair. In the dusk her
eyes shone terribly; her mouth
looked drawn and rigid. She was too
angry to reason quietly with her yell
1owhaired boy, or perhaps she was
aware that quiet reasoning would be
of no avail.
"And so, Ruy," she said then, with
infinite scorn, you will marry your
mothers maid-will defy the opinion
of the world, and marry your mothers
maid?"
Il care not a fig for the opinion of
the world" fumed the lad, ''and shall
marry Alicia Leigh. We are both
young, we love each other dearly.
What should we care if we are happy
ourselves?"
same constrained tone, you will raise
a common mental to the dignity of
chatelaine? King COphetua's vagaries
may be all very well in romance, but
in real life they are ridiculous, Ruy.''
do not try me too far" Sir Ruy re-
turned, with forced serenity. II can
bear a good deal, mother; but there
are limits at all times to a mans for
bearance. Alicia is no mental, albeit
an orphan in despair of ever find
ing more congenial employment-she
came to Oldfriars as your maid. She
received the education of a gentle
woman; her mind is that of a gentle
woman. There is no sin in being
compelled to earn ones daily bread
when one must either work or starve,
I suppose. Neither is there any SIM"
continued the lad illogically, ''in our
strong affection for each other"
"She leaves Oldfriars tomorrow"
said Lady Penrith, passionately.
"She shall not remain here with me. "
'You seem to forget that Oldfriars
is my house, mother, and not yours -
young Ruy answered, firmly. Alicia
remains HEREUNDER your protection
[ hope-unti1 I come back from Nor
mandy; then, if all be we'll"
mo, no. cried the mother, 'ishe is
no mate for you. 1t shall never be,
Ruy: | swear it. What will the world
say of such a thing, of a disgrace 50
lasting to the honor of the PenrithS?
Come what may, YOU shall never
marry Alicia Leigh"
And the next moment, her strength
and passion alike forsaking her ut
terly, Lady Penrith had dropped
heavily into her chair by the painted
window. and given vent to an hyster-
less paroxysm of weeping was too
much for Ruy; the sight of it softened
him, cooled his cholor, more quickly
than anything else could have done.
He knelt at his mothers feet, he pos
seSSed himself of a white trembling
hand: the jew els upon it flashed in the
gloom, and caught the pale light Of
the peeping stars.
A bat flew past the ancient null
Toned easement, the leaves and ten
drills of a summer creeper tapped with
a CHASTITY sound upon the tinted glass
outside. And by degrees the mother
sobs We're calmed. Manly and clear
were the tones of the lads voice as
they rose and fell. now gentle, now
imprisoned through the hushed twi-
light of that fair June night-manly,
clear and eloquent, with the true elo-
Quence of love, as, kneeling, he
pleaded with Lady Penrith for him
self and Alicia Leigh.
In the end he prevailed. and the
victory was won, Lady Penrith hav-
ing reluctantly consented to regard
Alicia for the future as the promised
bride of her much-beloved son-to
take the girl Under her protection-to
look upon her as a special sacred
trust, as it were, until Sir Ruy should
return from Normandy to claim her
at his mothers hands.
At sunrise the next day, well
stocked with the artists chattels that
his soul delighted in, and with a heart
as light as the beautiful morning air.
Sir Ruy Penrith set out from Old
friars-albeit the shadow of dreadful
blight was lowering already about the
grand old home.
Late on the evening OF the day of