The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1896-01-02
HER FATHERS SECRET.

Emily Vane sat at the drawing-roOm
window which overlooked the sea and
the Cleveland hills, but she saw neither
sea nor hills. She and her father, with
the servants, had been now some five
weeks at Saltburn,in a large house
which Mr.. Vane had rented for the sum-
mer. Henry Vane, Esq, owned good
sized mansion in Belgravia, where he
had lived for the past eight years dur
ing the London season; and an estate
near Nottingham, amid picturesque
scenery, where he generally resided
when not in London. Each summer,
however, he rented his house at Salt
burn; for not only Emily, but himself,
too, was charmed with the quiet, beau
tiful Yorkshire watering place. From
all of which it will be at once surmised
that Henry Vane, ESQ.,, was man Of
wealth.
His money had been acquired abroad,
and though of his family nothing or
little was known by society, he was well
received by some excellent houses; for
even titled person does not care light
ly to offend one whose income is 6 10000
year.
Emily Vane saw neither sea nor hills.
Her thoughts were wholly occupied by
two letters in front of her. Both had
come that morning, and both were pro-
posals for her hand. The first of them
was from the earl of Seacroft, who for
some time had been paying Miss Vane
noticeable attentions, and who, both as
regarded personal qualities and posi-
ton. was indeed no bad match for any
English maiden. He was yet young and
| fairly wealthy, and for some months
in fact, since Emily had "come OUT
had been a victim to her beauty and
charms. She admitted to herself that
Lord Seacroft's proposal was not one to
be lightly set aside.
| The other letter was from Mr.. Hubert
| Wells. Emily had met him about six
months ago at q country house, since
which time he had been her devoted ad-
mirer. She frankly confessed to her.
self that she liked him, that she liked
his society, and that she knew that he
loved her. But Hubert Wells was not
rich and had no particular position. He
had only about 6 400 a year, which his
father, long since dead, had left him to
live upon.
Emily Vane still sat, looking first at
this proposal, then at that. She had, for
the past week or two, expected both,
and SO unsettled and doubtful was she
that she had given neither suitor any
chance of proposing personally. But
now it had come-both on one morning!
The ordeal had to be faced; the decision
to be made! Her pride, her love for her
father, her wish to raise the name of
Vane, said: "Seacroft;" yet there was
small voice underneath which whis-
pered: Hubert"
In her perplexity she picked up the
letters, and went to see her father in
his study. Emily Vane's mother had died
at her birth; her father was her closest
confidant AS Emily entered, he rose
up and kissed herlovingly, then smooth
1 ing her hair, said, quietly:
(which of the two is it to be, love?"
The beautiful girl gazed at him with
eyes half dimmed with tears, as she an
swered, blushingly:
whichever my papa likes. He al
ways chooses for the BEST"
swell, my dear, suppose I should say
Lord Seacroft? 1 have always wished
such husband for you-titled, yet no.
BILE in natures best way"
"Yes, papa"
"Yet like this Mr.. Wells"
Emily's heart beat shade quicker.
"He cannot give you what the earl OF
Seacroft can, and what have so often
pictured you; and yet and yet-he is
his fathers son!"
The girl gazed, half in fear and aston
ishment, for her father was as pale as
death, and shook visibly.
"What is it, papa?" she said.
"Sit down, my love" replied Mr.. Vane
'It has only come, as felt certain some
day it would. God has brought it out
in His time. must tell you now. Don't
be afraid, Emily. 1t is the secret of my
life which I've hidden for IS years;
now you must share it. feel should
not be doing right if ! let you choose
to-day without telling you of it. When
you have heard my story, you must
choose for yourself, and be assured
your choice, whichever it is, will please
me. AS for what you will hear, it will
remain your secret and mine; l shal
keep it as before, and must beg of you
to do the same all your life, even from
your husband"
Emily sat in doubt and fear, sure thai
her kind father who had so loved hel
would not tell her anything to distress
her, if he could helpit; and yet anxious
as to what such an awful secret could
be. The master of Olton sat in chail
with his face away from the light
watching intently that dear, sweet fact
of his daughter. upon which the full
sunlight shone.
"Thirty-five years ago a convict shil
was sailing from England for Botany
bay, under the command of a brave cap
tain and crew. There were no fewel
than 40 convicts on board-desperat'
fellows of every description: thieves
highwaymen, manslayers, all kinds o
villains. Among them was one who's
case had excited much interest at home
. | es, 1alsouoI h inv