The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-10-01
CHAPTER XXIV.-(Continuedo

CHATTER AAlS.-tCoHlihueN
Holding her away from him at iength
for another look at her beautiful race, ne
added:
MY child. you are the perfect image
of your mother and to my partlal eyes
she was the most beautiful women
have ever seem
These words were spoken in so low
tone that the ladies present had not
caught their meaning, and murmur1ng III
return that she must introduce him to
the waiting duchess, he allowed her to
lead him forward while she presented
him as my father
Drawing close to her grace, on being
thus introduced, he turned haff quiz
zical look full upon her, which caused
her to spring up instantly as she met 1t,
exclaiming:
Edward. Can this be my son Ed
ward?"
my own, dear mother! then you do
know me after all these years? 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 81
lent wonder.
After this fond greeting, the duke turn
ed and saluted his sisters child whom he
had never seen, after which be TOOK
Ethel's 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
red, and why you kept your marriage so
long a secret!'
Before answering your question, my
dear mother, We will proceed to open the
package left in Ethels 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
marriage certificate, setting forth that on
Oct. 10, 1S-, 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. ID.
Next came to view q magnificent circle
diamond ring which he had given TO her
tthe 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 Ethel's 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 Ethers 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,
/ will tell you why l have so long con-
cealed 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 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 fox hunt, and after the chase was
over, ON our return ride he commenced
talking about my being heir to his title
nd oh hn intn
he had that when married should Sc
iect a wife from a certain, number of la
dies belonging to the nobility.
Father l replied, L have always ex-
pected to love some sweet young girl,
and on that account solely to marry her!'
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 | say; | solemnly call on
heaven to witness that never will l con-
sent to your wedding any person not in
your own rank in life! Never, boy; re.
member that. Never
rom tnat nOur matrlmOny 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 l went to America, and while in New
York | 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 plebeian marriage. had been cast
off and disowned by her proud father anG
all her friends and relatives.
with her husband and his young or
phan sister, Florence Nevergail they
had left England; and Nevergail soon be
came talented lawyer, respected, anG
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, 1 could mo-
leave the place, and before many week!
passed | discovered that she reciprocatet
my warm devotion.