Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-11-24
CHAPTER XXTy-1con+inued.l

of your mother, and to my partial eyes
she was the most beautiful women L
have ever seem
These words were spoken in so low
tone that the ladies present had not
caught their meaning, and murmur1ng IN
return that she must introduce him to
the waiting duchess, he allowed her to
lead him forward while she presented
I'm as my father"
Drawing close to her grace, on being
thus introduced, he turned a half quiz
zical look full upon her, which caused
her to spring up instantly as she met it,
exclaiming:
Edward. Can this be my son Ed
wardT'
MY own, dear mother! then you do
know me after all these yearsY was the
answer as he held forth his arms to EN-
brace her.
Amazed at this unlocked for revelation,
Ethel and Lady Claire clasped hands in
mutual sympathy, and looked on in ST.
lent wonder
After this fond greeting, the duke turn
ed and saluted his sisters child, whom he
had never seen, after which he took
Etheps hand and leading her to his moth
er, said:
Now, dearest mother, let me ask for a
share of your love to be given to my
daughter, Lady Ethel Worthington, for
in her you see your own granddaugh-
ter"
edward, this is a surprise, inded," re-
turned her grace, as she pressed the
sweet girl to her bosom and kissed her
bright young brow Ethel has already
won our affections during her brief resi-
dence here, without knowing that she
could lawfully claim them. But now,
please, tell your mother who you mar
ried, and why you kept your marriage so
long a secretY'
Before answering your question, my
dear motper, we will proceed to open the
package LETT in EthePs charge"
Taking The small bundle of what
seemed papers and letters from his daugh-
ter's hand, the duke cut the strings and
drew forth the contents.
The first thing to met the eye was a
marriage certificate, setting forth that on
Oct. IS, IS, just twenty two years be-
fore, in New York City, Edward Wor-
Ellington, only son of Charles, tenth Duke
of Westmoreland. was united in marriage
TO Florence Nevergail. daughter of the
late John Nevergail of London, by Rev.
Henry Morris, ID. d.
Next came to view a magnificent circle
diamond ring which he had given to her
1.-THE time of their engagement and a
plain gold band containing their joint
initials and the date of their marriage.
The last was his wife's wedding ring!
Then appeared a small locket, set with
diamonds. containing the likenesses of
both; and as he threw the gold chain, to
which it was attached, over EthePs neck,
he bade her wear it hereafter, "for the
sake of her parents"
As the duchess and Lady Claire looked
at the beautiful face of EthePs poor,
young mother, they were each struck
with the likeness she bore TO the picture,
and thought she might almost have been
its original.
Now, my dear mother and daughter
1 will tell you why l have so long con-
eealed the fact of my marriage. You,
mother, can scarcely blame me, when you
remember the set and stern disposition
my father ever possessed. His will was
law, his rule a rod of iron, and a child
daring to disobey him was sure to be pun
iShed with the utmost severity.
When | was only a STRIPPING Of nine
teen years l had accompanied my father
to a fox hunt, and after the chase was
over. on our return ride he commenced
talking about my being heir to his title
and wealth, and about the intense desire
he had that when l married | should Sc
lect a wife from certain number of la
dies belonging to the nobility.
Father. 1 replied, Il have always ex-
pected to love some sweet young girl
and on that account solely to marry herr
Then your expectations will meet a
sudden and grievous disappointment,
was his stern reply.
Wheeling his horse so that he faced
me in the road, he extended his right
hand towards heaven, and then and there
took this solemn oath:
"'Once for all, Edward, hear me and
mark what L say; l solemnly call on
heaven to witness that never will CON
sent TO your wedding any person not in
your own rank in life! Never, boy; re-
member that. Never
From that hour matrimony and ladies
lost all charms for me. l, as you know,
mingled little in society, and found my
chief amusements in study, hunting and
travelling. When about twenty-six years
old / went to America, and while in New
York l accidentally met Gertrude Never
gail, who was the daughter of Sir Geof-
frey Glendenning, our neighbor at the
hall She, in making what they consid-
cred a piebeian marriage. had been cast
off and disowned by her proud father and
all her friends and relatives.
with her husband and his young or
phan sister, Florence Nevergaii. they
had left England; and Nevergail soon be-
came a talented lawyer, respected. and
received into the best society in New
York City.
1T was then. at their house, first met
and passionately loved my beautiful
Florence. infatuated to the widest de-
gree with this young lady, l could not
leave the place. and before many weeks
passed | discovered that she reciprocated
my warm devotion.
when she did confess her feelings, l
saw at once that asking for the consent
of my father would be useless. so l urg-
ed a private marriage. To this she con-
scented. if l could gain the appreciation
of her brother and his wife.
in remembrance of their own happy
life. brought about by marriage solely
and in their presence we were united
lived with her the happiest year of ms
life, under the simple name of Edward
Worthington.
But. alas, our joy was but for brief
period. for when our little girl was only
three weeks old. she left me for a bright
er world-a never-fsding heritage ON
high.
After her death was inconsolahle.
Life for me was aimleSs; SO l cared not
what became of me- Then Mrs Never
gail came with her sisterly advice and
consultations. and in her pious efforts l
again regained my outward composure.
Mrs. Nevergail, with the consent of
her good husband then offered 10 take
charge of my Infant child. saying that
perhaps AZ present l might not desire to
announce my marriage, or her existence,
to my proud and stern father
After giving the matter consideration
I consented % their plan, and made up