Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-11-16
Continued.

reply, Sne Qleu years dSO-LO me.
She may have had children" con
tinued the lawyer; "she may have son
and daughters. Granted that the of
fence she has committed is unpardon
able, her children are innocent"
Lord Carlswood's face grew yer!
pale. He pushed away his chair, anC
began to walk with rapid, agitatet
footsteps up and down the room. Mr.
Ford watched him inteIt,y the while
Innocent" he said at length
with scornful emphasis. "They may be
innocent enough; but you forget they
are the children of a low-born, low
bred thief, who stole my-daughtel
from me-"
1t was SO many years since his lips
had fashioned the word that they
seemed to tremble over it.
How could l." he continued, bring
the children of such a man to live here
at Bralyn? How could I let them
apostolic"
1t would be better, perhaps, than to
allow stranger to come after you, or
than letting the old name GO to ruin
and decay. They may be the children
OF Thornton Cameron, but they belong
to your race also, my lord-there is no
denying that fact-they may even have
your features"
An expression of unutterable loath-
ing came over the proud old face.
Il hope not he said, abruptly.
They may even, continued the law
yer, with great diplomacy, have the
grand old Carlswood's spirit-the fire,
chivalry, the honor of the race"
Lord Carlswood's face cleared.
If that should be the case," pur-
sued Mr.. Ford, "they have a greater
claim to succeed than any stranger
without these characteristics could
have. After all, there is something in
a rightful claim; and most certainly
the children of Katrine Ismay Carls-
wood ought to come after her father
it would be a crying injustice to pass
them over"
"You are begging the question"
said his lordship, sharply-"she may
have no children"
4 grant that; but l suggested that
know"
At first Lord Carlswood was violent
ly opposed to the idea-he would never
let the children of that thief have
Bralyn.
He was a thief" cried the old man,
in a sudden passion of anguish.
If he had stolen all my wealth, I
could have spared it far more easily
than | could have spared my daugh-
ter"
He buried his face in his hands,
and the lawyer respected his grief.
Lord Carlswood would not at first con-
sent to Mr.. Ford's proposal; he was
angry, contemptuous, indignant; but
after time he reopened the discus
sion which Mr.. Ford considered a
good sign; and then he listened to rea-
son, next made excuses for himself,
then wavered in his resolution, and
finally agreed to what was suggested.
He persuaded himself that after all
he had only listened to reason-that he
had only consented to do what was
best for his race. He would not, even
to himself. own that natural affec-
ton or lingering remnant of love
for his daughter had actuated him.
Having yielded, he wrapped himself in
n mantle of reserve, he became to all
outward appearance harder and proud
er than ever. But Mr.. Ford saw how
the proud face quivered with emotion,
and the firm lip trembled. The old
nobleman was silent for some minutes
after he had given his consent, and
then he turped suddenly to Mr.. Ford.
eff it has to be done at all" he said,
''let it be done quickly; there is no
time to be lost"
Then they began to discuss details
Mr.. Ford found. not much to his sur
prise, that Lord Carlswood knew no
thing of his daughter-that he had
never heard one word of her since she
left home
Has she never written?" asked the
lawyer. Yes" was the brief reply:
but all the letters have been de-
stroyed.'
1t was agreed that they should be-
gin to search for her at once, but
there was not the least clue to start
with.
cit is more than twenty years since
she left home" said Lord Carlswood
1T seems to me almost hopeless"
But Mr.. Ford thought differently.
10 70
as you imagine. I shall seek the hell
of one or two men from the Scotland
Yard and you will see that we shall
soon have news for you" he said
hopefully-and believed what h,
said.
For some time after this interview
friends and servants all noticed how
excited and restless Lord Carlswoot
had become. 1t seemed to him impos
sible that he should ever look upon tn
face of his child Katrine again. H
was always wondering if news ha
been heard of her-if she were found
Weeks passed, and though Mr.. For
wrote constantly, his letters containe
but little intelligence. One came a
last which threw Lord Carlswood int
a fever of excitement, Mr. Camera
and his wife had been traced first t
London, where they had lived for som
months, and in all probability ha
spent the little money they had. I
London Thornton Cameron tried har
for professional engagement; BIT
young, unknown, without friends c
influence, how was he to succeed
From the great city he had gone t