The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1904-11-18
CHAPTER XII.

had started life with a sufff.
~ GENTLY imperious will, ana,
thanks to his position as a
titled and wealthy orphan. he had been
enabled to exercise 1t Mt n very early
age. The habit of seeing every one ter.
rifed Mt his mere glance grew upon
him, md he became unbearable not
only to live with, but even to meet.
His wife. after presenting him With
two sons, had died gladly, seeing ns
other way OF escaping her tyrant, and
the report went that lie had browbea1
en- her out Of existence. DerringtoH
would have married again for the sake
or his boys, but lie could find no one
willing to endure his yoke. Conss
quently he became something OF a wo.
man hater and entered the polhteal
world In this he met with q certain
amount of opposition, which did him
good and might have trained him ints
a moderately decent member Or society
but that his reformation was cut short
By his being appointed ambassador to
a prominent European power Here
his temper had full swing, and he buk
lied everybody for three years. At ths
: end Of that time he nearly caused q
war and was recalled There vas
some talk Of his being appointed vice.
roy for India. but those in power had
sufficient pity on the country not to
send him.
&, Falling, from his reputation, to get
another appointment, Derrlngton took
TO quarreling with his sons. Percy, the
elder. had spice Of the paternai tenn.
per and refused to submit. Conse.
Quently he was forbidden the house
and crowned his iniquities in the old
mans eyes by marrying Rosina Lock.
wood. The younger Vane was q fool
and completely cowed by his terrible
father. He married an equally meek
lady. and the two were crushed by tho
old tyrant., Finally both died ais GLADLY
az the late Lady Darlington had done
and left Walter vane to carry on the
title. The old lord detested Walter as
a milksop, but he refused to acknowf.
edge George. preferring the fool to the
clever man from sheer hatred of Bren.
don's father.
The meeting with George at Mrs.
Wards had touched the old man deep
~. He had never set eyes on Percy's
son before. and had no idea that the
young fellow was 30 handsome and
clever. Darlington felt that he could
take some pride In George rs a man
who would not permit himself to be
buIlied. He had as strong q will an
his grandfather. and the older man
him. Moreover, Georges ro-
Iook feigned name and his de-
termined fight for his, birthright pleas
ed the despot. But for his pride and
hatred Of the father. Darlington might
have acknowledged the marriage. He
knew in his own mind that such
marriage had taken place, and that
George was legitimate, be, he did not
know where the ceremony had been
celebrated. The sole evidence he pos
sessed was letter, written by Percy
from Paris, stating that he had mar
ned Rosina Lockwood. Derrington at
tho time accepted the fact, and had
never thought Of inquiring about de-
tails from his son, and OF course when
Percy died It was too late. Mrs. Jer-
sey knew, and Mrs. Jersey had made
use Of her knowledge, but she never
told Darlington anything. Had she
done 30, her hold over him might have
waxed feeble, although, owing to her
knowledge, and to the Old mans de-
termination not 70 acknowledge
George, 1t could not be dene away
with altogether.
One afternoon when q card Was
brought to Darlington he nearly
Jumped from his seat when hs pead
the name Of George Brendon. Al nrse
he was inclined to tear up the cara
and send the pieces cut to the fnse-
lent young man. who thus dared to
trespass on his privacy. But On see
ond thoughts he deefded 10 accord htn
an interview. He knew that by TIN
time Mr.. Bawdsey must have Inform
"a George that fts grandfather knew
him AZ Brendon. ana the old autocrat
wished to see II George would behave
as he had done at the first. More
over. he could not forget the good
looks and clever conversation Of the
young man. 1t would be absurd to
say that DerrIngton's heart yearned
over this unacirnowiedged twig OF the
family tree. for according to common
report he had no heart. But he GER
tainly felt an unwonted emotion when
Brendon, tall and handsome, composed
and ready for battle, stepped Into the
room. Derrington knew that the
yeung man. was ready icy battle. for