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The Wingham Times, 1885-05-01, Page 2it The Lady of the Ringi • 'I don't think rite ()Quid be bold under any Olrournstaneas,' the General answered with a puzzled look. And my dear you have been se thought.' fill and considerate for Mel that you will always be a 'welcome ytetton Mr. Stanhope, you, roust second my request that these ladies will not leave us yet.' 'We will defer the object until to- morrow, if you Owe,' said Florence, hurriedly, and nothing more was said about it, But this evening ffid not pass of quite as cheerfully as the last. On the young lady's fair brow there was a cloud; her mother had freqnent re- source ta her vinaigrette ; and the General was unfeignedly vexed to think he was to lose his vieitors, jest as be was getting, accustomed to. their ea:nonce, When Florence had su%g to him all his favorite songs, she oar and sat at his knee as he played chess with Ernest, Interested as the old soldier was in the game, he pushed the board aside when he heard the young lady heave a deep sigh, and. said to her, affectionately, 'My dear, you are dull, ar'n's you 1' 'No, I was only thinking. Think- ing, dear General, that I should like to tell you a etory—a strange, strange story.' Ile smiled indulgently, and leaning baek in his chair, declared himself a willing listener unless the story should be too romantic. 'It shall be a tree one, said Flo- rence, gravely, 'and I will make it as brief as I can.' 'We shall not quarrel about the length, love, if it is interesting. Pray begin. Mr. Stanhope, if the ladies do not object, you. may light your cigar.' 4 The mother of Florence rose. I do not think I can stay to hear your • story, Florence. Bear with me, my dear—I will go to my room for a little "Mamma will be beat with Bridget,' said Florence, her voice a Mile husky. 'Besides, my tale is not new in her Don't you go away, too, she added to Ernest, who had risen to open the door for the elder lady, and was de- bating whether he ought to quit the room or not. fler earnest 'pray stay,' decidedhim and he resumed his seat. Leaning her clasped hands on the General's knee and looking steadily in the face that wore such a begnig- tent lo >lc for her, t he young lac y began, her voice growing firmer and clearer as she proceeded. 'Once upon a, time—this is the established style, behereeGeneral— there was a reckless dissipated iieu- tenant in her Majesty's service— d man who, without seriously mean ing to do ill, was improvident and selfish to a degree, his mad specula- tions ruined his only sister and her husband; the latter committed suicide committed suicide in consequence ; the unhappy widow died broken hearted; and their child, a delicate gild was left to the mercies of' the 'My dear, thio is a sad story, in- deed!' Genual Darrel ejaeultited, his face taking a more serious out. 'You woulkhave more reason do say so General, if you could hear, as I heye heard, the orphan describe those telooine clays. • Ilor uneIe, the cause of all this misery, with many profane Wes of repentance, sought" her out and.teiok her honle—or to what be tailed borne There the becalm'. ac- quainted with a handsome, gallant youths who, like many othern often Bought the lieutenant's society because he waslvitty. and his evil propensities were e oaked by a gay fret* mariner, which to the young and thoughtlees merle him a, delightful oompaniond The General rested hie chin on lais hand. 'My deer, your de ieription is I,iL like, I woe knew just Bath THE was FRIDAY, MAY 1 • another misohievous character as the man you are speaking old Florence crept a little closer to him ore she went On. 93y-andeby the lieutenanths Asian' and the handsome youth fell in love. This is very cora- monplace, I knew ; bnt I told you my story was a true. The youth, gene. ions ip.Ina impulse; and eager to make this fragile glil his • own tlt once, to shield tier 'from all such sorrows 'as had hitherto blighted her young life, prevallecl upon her to marry him privately, Not till she was legally his Ont diCi he confess to her 040 his reason for secrecy was for fear their union would anger his When who, though he loved hihn dearly, expected be deferred to in his choice of a wife, 'Months rolled on, and still the soot of the marriage was kept, for the son, had incurred his father's anger by his oonnectionwith the lieutenant, (and fearedto tell tlie tale a worse actef disobedince. But the lieuten- ant was admitted to the secret, and - he consented to remove to a cottage near the youth's.' paternal home, . so that the young wife, now expecting to become a mother, might more fre- quently have the comfort of her hus- • band's visits. 'What is this you axe telling mo 'P General Darrel hoarsely demanded, his darkening looks questioning the narrator, who without replying, pro- I ceedech 'While the feeble, but rejoicing mother was thanking heaven for her babe, an unexpected trouble assailed her. Her husband—pale with passion —burst ieto the room one day, to tell her that his father had accused. him of theft, that he • had Missed. some valuable deeds, and taxed his son • with having taken them.' General Darrel would have risen from his seat, but Florence's hands were clasped around his knees and she. was at his feet. • 'Let me tell you the ret—tell it to you as it has been told to me so often ; o often that it, is Impressed on my mind never to be effaced. ! • The angry father had forbidden his son to see him again, and at the firdt the equally angry son vowed that he would obey him ; that he would • ex- change into te.eother . regiment, and • taking his wife and child -V:dt,L7-T'iim, quit England forever, , For. lie 'was innocent of the .charge brought against him r 'No, no r the General ejaculated, Florence sprang to bee feet and fear- lessly confronted him. 4,t1. tell you yes, sir t Ie Edgar Darrerh daughter, declaim thatmy father was unjustly accused ! •The charge was false. • Undutiftil, he may have been ; he ac- knowledged it with the bitterest regret for his faults, but he did not rob his fatheed The General sat with•his eyes • rivitel on the proudly erect head of the young gin, but he eidnot speak, and sinking (loin,. into her former position, Flerence went on. • 'Father of the dear parent whom I only knove through my mother's sor- rowful reminiecences, do lean this justice. 1 tell you he was incapable of the crime of which you too rashly accneed him. Think how—knovsiug his iinmeence-,-he must havetwrithed beneath the cruel accusition ; and how, when his anger dooled, and he recalled the long years of devoted hove hi $ lathe; bad lavished upon him, he longed M be recalled. to confess all his follies, Aid to be forgiven,' The General's head sank on his breast, •'Yoe_ know,' Plorenee went on in broke', accepts, 'that he wee thrown from his horse and carried home to • die, But alas 1 you have never known how, when he divined his danger, he craved to see hie father once more, • /114 broken hearted wife besoug'et her uncle to seek the Genera], for she .eifild "eurely when he knows my Ea. •gar's Ante het will not refute his petition,' and the dying Meer second- ed her eittreeties.—'If 1 meld see my father inyeelf, and ten hiM I am cot , ••••It: •• • • • la i d ale ' lif 1 t bo has been. our !is a mon:4We Well /aas net heee ieutenant Norton went• away to seek zealous friend :through eve"vbing, !examined.' ten er of his dying Gehenal Diunel ,started up choking father, principally wet she ,,mie. t mamma will tell you how my dying ,.„ with emoti, 'It is Wee—false I I watch over our intoxeste father said that, the day before these -se never health° message, Lieutenant 'You are spealthig of Bridget, can it , papers we* lest, he had °melee tie Norton never carne to O. "as possible,' • 1 seek you in your study. Entering quieely, lie env you absorbed let the 'No.' said Florence, 'long aftertvards • 'Yes, it las seer her advice we cense i contents of a desk, and knowinn out he confessed it. .Ashamed to meet here, She hoped to find some (ippon the man who 44 so sternly reproved tualt.y a introducing nee to' you, and his vices he stoped to faleehood, even went so far as to asle a holiday But grandfather—dear dear grand and don male attire, that she mig 1 father your son clied peacefully and more efficiently protect us on our hOpefully. In his last hours lee said journey, 1 roust tell you also, you ilea to the loving wife, who treasured I mean, to be very frank with you every word, that los father would yet dear grandfather, that Sandie and forgive bim, 'I know not how it will Bridget adoring the memory of my be, nor, when,' he told. her, 'bub 1 he inlsome geiiial father, have been, have a confident feeling' that ray perhaps, to eager to protect hie child's innocence respecting the deeds ,will interest's.. They were clreedfully sex - yet be proved. And Mary, if our al and rebellious, when we /earned at child lives call it after my mother, your• solicitor's- --whei o we ventured to and if Le ever relents sufficiently to make eome.enquiries,—that you had take her to his arm; tell hlra I ad- -sent • for Mr. Stanhope.' jured him to bestow upon her the AT understand. They thought ene love of which. T can see -neve when it avowed intention of. sending for this is too late, I was never never worthy yeller g man would wrest from yoo !My, wou be res gne to . fait ti urea ure eughtfully, pray ng non was rejected.' and housekeeper to niv dear grand- Floreuce however Waisted, 'But the General, and returned to say the and who took Ole 134uation ofairder, '1 think no' said the General of,' • your ' inheritance, Child, do you General Darrel hold out his arras know I have been seeping you and and Florence serang into their em. yea, mother, in. the belief that you brace. Then Ernest quietly stole both were the vilest of wonaen. Yon away to toll the anxious. mother all should have been more open with me. was 'well. • 'You sheidd have proclahned the truth * * at all hazards. • I deal like to know 'My child, my little Florence, said you were concerned in all this plot' - General General Darrel , some moments. tine and conterplotting. It is une afterwards, why have you staid from worthy ot a Darrel.' me so long.' Mori:woe did not tell him that his 'Dear gra,ridfather,' she replied Well-known violeztee of temper bad raising an April face, 'that involves been the painful cause of allebeit with another long story. For •sense time tears springing • into • her eeves, after niy father's death my clearest answered humbly, 'You are right, and mother was in such a •despending could we have coequered our dread condition, that it was thought fleece, that you would not admit us to your nary to place her under the care, of a preselect", we should have acted eiffer- good womau, who was also my nurse ently. Bet dear • grandpapa, you and. attendant, Lieutenant Norton must forgive un our secresy has cost did not take the trouble to acquaint ns dear enough. Bridget's over maxi. you with our existence, or make an ety to keep Mr. Stanhope away led application on our behalf because he her to confide in an artful and danger- • ous man, who did not scruple to at - himself was in some difficulty with tee• colonel ofhis regiment. Besides • tempt to take :your guest' e life. But for Mollie, as you already kncw, the mystery of the missing deeds was not cleared up yet And until eie might have perished. What an awful fate. , What a terrible crime to her husband's name was free from stain, mamma was to proud to ask the feel that we had occasioned. I can hot think of it without a shudder.' aid of his father.' • • tWhere did you become acqnainted 'But child how nave you lived all these years. Norton died poor and % r• Stanhope,'" the General ask ea when he had wiped away the tears my poor Edgar had nothing to be -of hiepretty granddaughter.' queath to his wife and child.' 'Did Inot toil you,' said Florence '1 will tell you. A. very distant , with animation.. 4When, we were is relative of niy mother's, an .aged Lonion, he bravely risked his life to lady, heard our story . from the faith - sate mine, and again, eince I came ful old creature 'who. attended mam- ma in her illness, and for Some that) here, I have owed my preservation to supported us with her own earnings. his conrage. I can never be suf. ficiently grateful to lain.' This good lady was an invalid, and mamma's attention •and society in I • 'Indeed, my clear. •You seem to be .some way repaid her kindness to us tolerable enthuasiastic plied it, and At her death, some months since, she quite alive to Mr. • Ernest's good left us the small property she pos. qualities.' sessed, including a tew valuable ornaments. So you see, dear grand- • father, ste do not come to you entirely destitute,' concluded Florence a little proudly. • 'Hush dear, I am learning the •wicaedness of distrust, and my Ed- gar's daughter is my daughter to, and the legal heiress of all 1 possess.' Florence drew her 'brelith quickly, and as if guessing the thought , that crossed her, he exclaimed, 'eh, young Stanhope , I had forgotten him. What must we do for him. He is a fine young fellow and a good son. We inua see, we must see. • But my dear. how is it •that find you rem- maeradieg, under his name. There is something in this I do not like nor comprehend.' But Florence's explenetion, with With burning cheeks she extricated herself from ha embrace. 'Now I must feteli mamma. You will love her for poor papa's sake, won' you, as well as for your little Florence's.' alis fond caress was suffieient. reply, and she hurried away to gladden the head of her mother with the tidings of this perfect reconeilie,tion. , It was a proud and happy moment for Florence when she led her 'mother to the Generel, and saw him 'advance almost eagerly to meet ber. 'Mrs. Edgar Darrel, he said with grave es:A.10,0;y, you 'are eery welcome. 1 hope you will henceforth make the Priory your home.' 'In Edgerte name I thank yeti,' she re.plied, a bright color sufficing her counteniniCe. Florence beveled tenderly a'-ound the fulled details, partially cleared . her mother till she found her more at the elond from his brow, and nom- ease, and then camp nestling again to need Ernest from hoeing wilfully lent her grandfather Sae, himself toethe cleceptiote you have not forgotten t age Oho 'Ton Must knoN,v, my dearest grand- of our principal motives for coining father, that ever since nave been here was a hope of finding the raining oil enough to unaeestieed the cause deeds," mid Florence. of estrangement between yen and 'Deer atm ,'said the General, 'let papa, it has been my dream to dud the tis think of this no more. have al - deeds and clear his tame' ready searched as much as von on 'It was a holy and dutiful • wish,' wish, but in vain, I believe that my murmured the amoral, with a sigh,. son was Marmara of the theft and se have told yoe,' she went oi 'how we will bury the past m oblivion.t in my infancy we were itesisted by a But Florence shook her head, tboro did not like to be disturbed. at faleita time he stepped quickly buck.' 'Ha, cried the General, one of my servants told me that the saw biin stealing away from the study, and on this 1 based my suspieions. Merciful heavens, bow could 1 be so hasty in, my judgment.' 'Grandpa, Pi:ozone(' whieperecl, an. xious W rouse hint from his remorseful feelings, is it not possible that you put the deeds away with those lettere.' Be rose from his chair, and berried; to the stuy, P dand lifted down the long untdathed desk. A sigh of (deep- pointment escaped him When he lifted out the last package without finding wi at he sought, but the quick- er‘ eye okFloreuce bad peiceived that eome papers in a derky hand lay be, tweet. some of the letters. Drawing them abi$ she held them towards her grandfather. One upward glance as if beseeching heaven's pardon, Le staggered to •a seat and gave away to his shame and repeeutance. The anguish of that •heur yielded is lesson the General never forgot. There was however a drop of sweet- ness m the cup he was now chaining. The arms of his Edgar's lovely childk wasaround his neck, and her tkisses fell softly on his gray heir as she• strove to. raise the head lie bent 60• lowly. • It• as her tender caresses that helped 'to restore him to composure, , and for her sake that he resolved to lead an altered life. Ernest, although as interested as the principle actorsin what was pass- ing, clelicately kept. out of the way until the family met at the matin meal the next morning. Mrs. Darrel. throwine off all constraint; openly thanked for the preservation of her child and Florence. with a fur- tive glance at her grandfather, quitted his side to add her thanks to her • mother. The General followed hex'. • Mr, Stanhope,' he said, 'to limey vourig men the discovery that the property I proposed your inheritinee'was legally another's, would have been a great. mortidsation, but I think you have' the good sense to bear your disapoint- raent with fortitude.' Ernest smiled. • 'To &el with yon candidly, General, I have never thought your wealth could overbal- ance the breaking of home ties- fl would have been valueless M me Wes shared with those I love.' - • 'Bet shared with those you lone you would have no objection to it--- • eh was the amused reply. 'Well, I propose giving you an equivalent e But if Mre. Darrel permits it, we will leave the matter in the hands of our little girl here. Perhaps, if you • re- nounce your expectations in her frvor, sho use bestow something upon yoa,, that will. be equally acceptable,' Overwhelmed with confusion, P10. rence turned to her mother, but the General caught her in his arms. * * •*• * * Within =months of that •inemor- able eveningat the dose of the erear, , crowded London •thoroughfare, • the 'fitly of the ring bestowed her bend on her preserver. No one daeced wore gaily at the wedding than our old • Mende, Bridget, Richie end Satdie. Ernest's pretty (deters came to • play the important part of bridesmaids at the wedding; and when Lizzie also became a bride, and schoolboy Toni ewxapseisiesnear8.tivtioWoolwich at the Generare Stanhope took up her residenee in a pretty cottage near the Priory. The wretched Gaspard, who eiropos •ed to reap a golden iluirvest from the secrets he had dozenth out ofBridgetes simplioity4-t-diedU mieerable death drowned ul a splabble oa board the Bram lugger, General Darrel still liven a hale and aio•uvioa veteran, with the child. * ren of the third eeneretion playing around him—happy in the knowledge that when the Angel of Death bear him away, he will not ouly be remain. bared an a harsh -tempered, mine- thropioal man, The grief of Ernest •and his Florence 'will believe his grave—that beloved Florenoe whose affcotions luta made the Orme gloomy Priery as bright an English home, ai the many floppy limos whet o the ever epicene' pages of Th e Taiga I tarry this record of their lives. MS M. t •