The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1900-06-02
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CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER I.
prince Cahrlie's" daughter! The sur
Yhone On the day of her birth: the bells In
6rceldean pealed merrily; the Gag waved
Tor Erceldean towers: every face on the
Erceldean estate wore a bright, pleased
expression. "Her ladyship has a little
daughter" the tenants said one to an
other, then stopped 1 moment and added
Heaven bless the mother and the child!
Prince Charlie" himself was IN q
trance of delight. He might have lived
In the olden days when people cried out
'Largess-a princess Is born" He gave
with both hands, royalty as a king.
The clang Of Joy bells filled the air; fra
GRANGE and melody greeted the birth OF
Prince Charles" daughter-Beatri1
Lennon. heiress Of Erceldean. No kings
heart was ever stirred with more passion
ate Joy than this which now animated the
heart Of "Prince Charlie" He stood on
the summit of sloping hill. thick green
the right and to the left of him, tail,
spreading trees over his head. He looked
round him with pride and delight. This
noble domain of Erceldean, how fair il
was! In all the length of bonoy Scotland
no spot was half 30 fair-and 1t would all
be hers one day.
what shall name herr" he thought
"Beatrix Lennox, the proudest, fairest,
haughtiest lady of our race, won the love
Of king. She might have been crowned
queen, but that she loved the land Of her
Arth better than the king who wooed her.
She preferred to be Countess of ST. Mar.
Will call my daughter 'Beatrix'; 1t 10 q
name Of good omen. Perhaps 1t may win
for ner loyal love-"
He repeated the name as he descended
the hill. He walked quickly through the
heather, through the clover meadows,
through the pleasure gardens, and along
the terraces that surrounded the castle.
A waiting woman met him at the door.
"Her ladyship would be 30 pleased to
80 you, colonel" she said.
The colonel went ON his way singing,
IN 4 low voice, his favorite song, THE
Blue Bells of Scotland" He reached her
ladyship's room, and there waited until
the nurse's voice bid him enter. 1t was
. large, lofty room, supetbly furnished.
On the bed, with its rich hangings, lay a
pale, gentle lady, with q sweet, patient
face-sweet, yet sad, as of one who suf-
fe-sd In silence. She held proudly In her
arms . little child. She raised her eyes
% the colonel entered.
Charlie, come and look at her," she
said. II have never seen such face.
Look at herr
There ID some character in baby's
face" remarked the colonel Look at
cosedl See how delicately arched the
A. IL
h IN old border song of q dark-eycd Len
sox with heart Of fire.
Lady Lennon looked up at her husband.
"Oharlie," she began half reluctantly, do
you know why sent for you? thought
that on this the day that our little child
bas been given to US you would not re-
fuse my petition"
That viii not" he replied. Like the
king In your favorite history, ] would give
you the half Of my kingdom"
She laid her hand on his thick, cluster
ing curas.
my dear Charlie, have never doubted
your willingness to give. doubt, though,
whether you have much TO give. know
It 10 almost useless to talk to you; but,
Charlie, now that we have the little one,
Win you not try to alter? l want you to
promise to be more economical. Do not
give away 90 much-do not bet on those
terrible horses-do not trust 90 implicitly
IN blind fate; If you do, ruin win follow.
Generosity 10 q duty, but not such lavish
generosity as youv. For my sake, for the
little cne's sake, begin now to act differ
entity"
He bent down and kissed the rosebud
face
II will, Ailsa. You know mean to do
right 1lways-I have no thought of doing
wrong. Dame Nature is to blame, who
gave me the open hands Of king without
the revenues to FIJI them. like bright
faces, and, II a gift Of mine clears q cad
face, am well pleased."
Say these words after me-'For your
cake, my little Beatrix, promise to be
more careful-to give less, to save more.
TO renounce betting, and devote my time
10 home"
He REPEATED the words, and then kissed
his wifs's hands and the baby's face.
"Ailsa, I hope your daughter win be
like yourseh."
The baby was christened soon after
ward. A duchess was it's godmother The
whole domain Of Erceldean seemed to be
Illuminated. The only one troubled with
fnreboding, the only one who wept when
others laughed, and sighed when others
smiled, who foresaw sorrow, was the
wife Of prince Charlie" the mother of
the httie heiress. Lady Lennox.
CHAPTER IL.
The sun shone upon few Drawer. bright
<r, happier men than Col. Charles Len
nox. lie was one of the handsomest off,
GERS IN her majesty's army-a man OF
lofty stature and powerful build, with a
graceful, easy. digni6ed carriage; his fea-
lures we're bold, frank and proud: there
was joined in him the dash of the soldier
with the grace OF the cavalier. He was
lust twenty when he succeeded to the vast
fortune left him by his father.
His father, Keith I.ennox Of Erceidesn,
had two sons-Char.es. the colonel, who
succeeded him, and Peter, the younger
son. who was q gracesess De'er-do- we'll
he had neither manners, morals nor style,
koch Lennox was accustomed to say.
There was no great love between the
brothers. although Charlie had contenp-
raeus hind Of pity fer the nnsainly boy