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

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who was - invariably awkward ant
clumsy.
Peter solved for himself the Difficult
problem of his existence. He ran ava.
from home, leaving letter addressed t
his father, in which he stated that it wa
his intention to make a fortune at tn
gold diggings; he was going TO sail in tn
Ormo.ia, he said. The fathers first feel
ing on reading the letter was one of IN
mitigated relief. But few weeks after
ward, when he read the story of the wrecl
of the Ormolia with the loss of all o.
board, he mourned for his son. Their
was an end to Peter; lie could never an
noy. Disgrace, nor irritate them again.
Charles Lennox succeeded to the Who'll
of the Erceldean estate. There had bee
ample provision made for Peter, that nov
became his brothers. At twenty-on
Charles Lennox was one of the handsom
est and wealthiest men In Scotland. H
served in one campaign against the Sikh
in India. 1t was there that his fair fac
became bronzed-there that he won hi
brilliant reputation for fearless courage
Cod. Lennox was comparatively youni
man when the necessity of looking afte
his estate compelled him to leave tn.
army. He divided his time between Lon
don and Erceldean, and married, after ,
short courtship, the pretty, portionless or
phan daughter Of Scotch peer-the Lad.
Ailsa Graeme-who simply idolized him
They were married ten years before thu
birth cf their little daughter, Beatril
Lennon.
There were few men 30 courted or y
popular as the colonel; he was chief!
known by the name of prince Charlie.
1t was difficult not to idolize him, since
he had ways and fashions more roya
even than those of king. He was kind
and warm of heart, impetuous, indiscree.,;
he was possessed of little caution or judg.
ment, but he had an immense faith IN
every thing and every one-an immense
sympathy for all whom he came in con-.
tact with. How many destitute children
he placed In schools, how many desolAte
widows he established in business; how
many young simpletons he rescued from
folly, could never be told.
In vain did Lady Lennoxl demonstrate.
my dear wife," he would answer il his
genial, happy fashion, II have so much
money that can never spend it ALL He
lent, he gave, he lost, until the day came
Chat his banker, with grave face, tod
him that his account was 50 far over.
drawn that some arrangement must be
made.
The gay, handsome colonel was electri-
L O.,
was mad; and then he grew indignant.
An interview with his solicitors brought
him to his senses, and he saw that there
was Ito resource save to mortgage Er.
ceidean.
prince Charlie lost mort and more.
The London house was givet up, farm
was sold, the mortgage wsS increased.
Lady Lennox startled her husband one
day by telling him that if he should die
unexpectedly he had not billing tc
leave her.
Still the fright was not muchIof checb
on him; the mortgage was inGeased. Sc
it happened that when Beatrit was born
there was no heritage left fG her. He
never realized it. To himselfIhe was al.
ways Col. Lennox of Erceldan, lord OF
one of the fairest estates ii Scotland.
What did it matter to him that it was
mortgsged to it's full value, md that at
any time, il the mortgage money was
called m, he would be a ruined man? He
was not of q nature 10 remainder such
things; he had happy facult of thrust.
ing all dark thoughts from hismind.
He had promised to amend mw that his
little heiress was born: but it was too late
to do so; he should have reformed years
before. He had nothing now 10 keep
He struggled on until Beatix reached
her fourth year. She had all a chIld's
passionate alteration for the handsome
generous father who kissed her and bad.
ed her with toys. She loved him, witA an
affection passing the love Of children fol
their parents, until her fourth year, and
then terrible accident happened.
One sunny morning in August the colo
mel kissed his wife and child for the las
time. Some one had begged him to try .
new horse which it was feared was vi
cious; with his usual good nature he hal
consented. When Lady Lennox, lookins
into has handsome face, asked him with,
er he was going, he answered laughtngly
and evaively. Had they known thu
truth, neither wife nor child would hav.
parted with him.
"You will come home to dinner, Char
lieT said Lady Lennon. "Do not lid,
too quickly or too far; the day is warm.
The colonel laughed.
Fancy such advice as that to a maj
who has ridden forty miles in the heat o.
an Indian SUM- he cried. III viii b,
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