Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-02-06
CHAPTER XII.

NbOut three miles west nf AlwOrth
Abbey, upon a commanding hight near
the Seacoast stood the Anchorage, the
seat Of Admiral Sir Ira Brunton. The
park extended To the sea. and its west
crn wall rose directly from the edge
Of the cliff. which formed n natural
boundary to this extensive domain.
Immediately under this cliff nestled
the little fishing village of Abbeyport.
with it's single stree. IF cottages fac
ing the sea, it's small feet of fishing
Smacks drawn up to the shore. and its
one humi,ie tavern. called the Flag
ship. kept 10y Mr.. Tom Tows. Il retired
boatSwain. and ~patronizCd literally by
the kitchen C~abin.t OF Admiral Sir Ira
Brunton.
The Anchorage was Il large, square,
gray edifice. three stories high. with
two great halls crossing each other at
right angles. and dividing each floor
into four separate suites OF apartments.
The numerous windows of the estab-
lisl,ment commanded from all points
the most magnificent prospect, per
haps. To he found in the three king
aoms.
The front windows. facing the west.
looked over the grand slope of Mills
toward the edge OF the cliff. and down
upon the picturesque village At Its foot
and out upon the boundless ocean.
The back. or PAS windows. looked
inland down into the deep valley and
thics: woods in which was hidden the
old Abbey and the dark pool which lay
before il.
The north windows looked out upon
n rolling country If sterile heaths. dot
ted here and there with an oasis in
the form of n farm or a hamlet
And. lastly. the south windows
looked down upon q smiling landscape
of wooded hills. surrounding a green
valley in the midst Of which lay a
lovely lake. upon whose farthese bank
stood the elegant villa OF Edenlawn,
the seat Of the Honorable Mrs. Elver-
ton.
Admiral STR Ira Brunton. the propri-
ctcr Of the Anchorage. was originally
a man NJ the people. BY talent,
age and good fortune he had risen
from the humhlest post in the navy to
his present high position.
lie shared. however. that too com
mon weakness of sclf-made men-an
exaggerated respect for hereditary
rank.
Al the mature age of forty. when he
had attained the rank of ~post-captain.
, Gad was flushed with his recent sue
cess. he attempted To marry into the
pecrage by proposing for he hand OF
the titled but dowerless daughter of
an earl.
But. falling In this enterprise. he
welded the only child and heiress Of n
wealthy city banker. who brought him
as her portion a half million pounds
sterling. the beauty OF a Venus and
the temper of n Xantippe.
With a part OK the money he bought
tho magnificent estate OF the Anchor
age. aEd with the lady he lived a tenn
pesipo's life for twelve years. at the
end OF which she stormed herself To
death. leaving him as Il legacy one fair
daughter. ten years OF age. named
after her mother, Anna Eleanora.
Admiral Sir Ira-then Captain Brun-
ton--did rot again venture on the dan
gcioas sea Of n,atr!mcny, but brought
home his widowed mother tn take
charge of the young lady. and engaged
a French goyerness TO superintend her
education But 2 simple-minaaa, CID
i fashioned dame and an u~nprincipled
French adventures were not exactly
the best guides for a self-wliled girl.
And So il happened that when Miss
Anna Eleanora was about sixteen
years Of age. while her father, was 81
sea and herself with her grandmother
and governess at Brighton. she acct
dcntally formed the acquaintance Of a
young lieutenant of h~ussars, whose