Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-10-26

"RANCES WENTWORTH cross
: ed the threshold of her fathers
house with more trepidation

ed the threshold of her fathers
house with more trepidation
than she had experienced on en-
tering the palace of the king at Hamp.
ton Court. Here probably awaited a
stepmother with her children, and
Frances doubted the cordially of the
approaching reception. The ever in
creasing fear of her father, sentiment
felt by nearly ali those who encounter
ed him, mingled with hatred, usually,
on their part, but with growing affec-
ton on hers, prevented the putting Of
the question whether or no Lady STRAIT
ford was now in London. Their jour
ney together had been silent since he
Ceased thei ysition Of the difficulties
which surrounded him, man whom
all England regarded as being para
mount in the kingdom, yet in reality
bafiied and almost at bay.
Looking back over the day now
drawn to its close, she marveled Mt her
own courage in approaching him as she
had done, light heartedly and confident.
Were her task to be re-enacted her
mind misgave her that she would not
possess the temerity to carry it through,
with her new knowledge Of the man.
Yet If STAFFORD We're hated in the three
Kingdoms, he seemed to be well liked
in that little despotism, his home,
where servants clustered round, for
each of whom lie had n kind word
Whether they knew of his coming or
not. the house was prepared for his
reception, fires blazing, and a table
spread in the room to which he con-
Quoted his daughter. Outside the night
was cold and damp and the inward
warmth struck gratefully upon the
senses Of the travellers.
Mrs. Jarrett" said the earl to his
housekeeper, who looked with wonder
Mt the newcomer he had brought, shave
you aught Of woman's trappings that
will fit my daughter herc?"
your daughter, my lord?"
Eyes, and as you will be consumed
by curiosity until you know how 1t
comes SO, will add that she is newly
found. having lived till now with her
grandfather in the north, and is the
child of my second wife, Frances War
burton, married by me some seventeen
years since. Any further particulars
my daughter herself will supply, If you
question shrewdly, as l doubt not you
Will, but postpone inquiry beg of you
until tomorrow. Meanwhile robo her
/, rs best you may with the materials ut
hand, and that quickly, for wish her
company at supper"
Frances was then spirited away to
the apartment assigned to her, and
when presently she reappeared she
was costumed more to her fathers lik-
Ing than had hitherto been the case.
They sat down together to the meal
that had hastily been prepared for
them.
Tomorrow, If remember Alright
what you said, is your birthday"
YES, my lord"
lis 1t difficult for you to say fatherY
My other children pronounce the word
glibly enough. When you and l first
met and even since then. you seemed
not backward in speech"
"Sir, find myself more afraid of
you than was at the beginning"
STAFFORD smiled, but answered.: II
assure you there is no need. l may
be IN implacable enemy, but l have
the reputation of being Us stanch
friend. So tomorrow is your birthday,
saddened by the fact that 1t is also the
date of your mothers death. That Is
loss for which man in my onerous
position cannot even partially atone,
but 1t Is n loss which you perhaps havo
not keenly' felt. 1t seems heartless to
speak thus, but the fact remains that
we cannot deeply deplorc the depar-
ture Of what we have never enjoyed.
One thing can covenant-that you
shnll not hereafter know the lack of
money, which is something to promise
in a city of shops"
II have never known the lack of 1t,
my lord"
"Have you indeed been so fortunate?
Well, there again you bear n resem-
blance to your father. Sir John was
reputed comfortably Off in the old days,
and infer he harbored his wealth, u
somewhat difficult task in times gone
by. Are you. then, his heir?"
"One of two, my lord"
"Ah, yes. had momentarily forgot
ten the brother who favors his grand
father rather than his sire. / am like
to be overbusy tomorrow to attend the
mart of either mercer or goldsmith,
and II I did ! should not know what to