The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-09-01
oHApTnR xxIv.-fCoutIuued.)

MY cnllu, you are tne peIASVt hN@e'
Of your mother, and to my partial eyes
she was the most beautiful women
have ever seen"
These words were spoken in so low a
tone that the ladies present had not
caught their meaning, and murmuring IN
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 half quiz
xical look full upon her, which caused
her to spring up instantly as she met 1t
exclalming:
"Ddwardl Can this be my son Ed
wardr'
my own, dear mother! then you dc
know me after all these yearsl" 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 he took
EthePs hand and leading her to his moth
sr, 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 q 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 seeretT
Before answering your question, my
dear mother, we will proceed to open the
package left In Ethel's charge"
Taking the small bundle Of what
semed 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 for;h that on
Oct, l8, 49,, Just twenty two years be-
fore, In New York City, Edward Wor-
thington, 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, d. ID.
Next came to view 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 wlfe's wedding r4ngl
Then appeared small locket, set with
diamonds, containing the llkenesses Of
bothl and as he threw the gold chain, to
which 1t was attached, over Ethels neck,
he bads her wear 1t hereafter, "for the
sake Of her parents"
Az the duchess and Lady Claire looked
at the beautiful face Of Ethel's poor,
Young mother, they were each struck
with the likeness she bore to the picture,
and thought she might almost have been
lts original.
Now, my dear mother and daughter,
will tell you why have SO long CON
esaled the fact Of my marriage, You,
mother, can scarcely blame me, when you
remember the set aud stern disposition
my father ever possessed. His will was
law, his rule a rod Of iron, and a child
aaring to dlsobey him was sure to be pun
khed with the utmost severity.
"When ] was only stripping Of nine
teen years had accompanied my father
TO a fox hunt, and after the chase was
over, on our return ride be commenced
talking about my being heir TO his title
and wealth, and about the intense desire
be had that when l married should Sc
lect a wife from certain number of la
dies belonging to the nobility.
Father | replied, 4 have always ex-
pected to love some sweet young girl,
and on that account solely to marry her!'
Then your expectations will meet q
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; l solemnly call on
heaven to witness that never will con.
sent to your wedding any person not In
POUR own rank In llfel Never, boy; re-
member that. Never
From that hour matrimony and ladies
lost all charms for me- |, as you know,
mingled little In society, and found my
chief amusements in study, hunting and
travelling. When about twenty-six years
cid went to America, and while In New
York ! accidentally met Gertrude Never
gall, who was the daughter of Sir Geof-
frey Glendenning, our nelghbor at the
hall She, In making what they consid-
cred plebeian marriage, had been cast
of and dlsowned by her proud father and
ali her friends and relatives.
''With her husband and his young or
phan sister, Florence Nevergall, they
had left England; and Nsvergall soon be-.
came talented lawyer, respected, and
received into the best society In New
York City.
at was then. at their house, l first met
and passionately loved my beautiful
Florence infatuated to the widest de-
gree with this young lady, could not
leave the place, and before many weeks
passed discovered that she reclprocatsd
my warm devotion.
when she did confess her feelings, |
cav at once that asking for the consent
Of my father would be useless, 80 l urg.
ed 4 private marriage. To this she con.
sented, II could gain the appreciation
ef her brother and his wife.
I'm remembrance Of their own happy
life, brought about by a marriage solely
for love, their consent was soon given
and In their presence we were united. ]
lived with her the happiest year Of my
life, under the simple name of Edward
Worthington.
But. alasl our Joy was but for q brief
period, for when our little girl was only
three weeks old, she left me for a bright
or world--a nsvsr-tRdins heritage on
high.
After her death I was Inconsolable
Life for me was aimless: so | cared moi
what became Of me. Then Mrs. Never.
gall came with her sisterly advice and
consultations, and In her pious efforts /
again rsgainsd my outward conposurs.
Mrs. Neyergall, with the consent oi
her good husband. then offered to take
charge Of ny infant child. saying ths,