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354 WfiMmmBp'- .' THE SOUTHERN WORLD. AUGUST 15, 1884.
Written especially for the Southern World.]
TEE SIDE? Of ROSE DEUEL.
BY JOHN E8TEN COOKE.
(Thia story began In No. 11 of Volume 8.
Back numbers can bo had at 6 cents per copy.
A.11 rights reserved, j
XVIII.
SUITOR, MOTHER AND DAUGHTER.
Nearly at the moment when thia con
versation was taking place between Mr.
Smith and Miss Charlton at Wayside,
an interesting interview was in progress
between Mr. hud well and Mrs. Darrel
at the Meadows.
They were seated in the large drawing
room from whose windows an excellent
view was obtained of the extensive
grounds, and the green lawn, the waving
foliage, the flitting birds and blue sky,
made up a most attractive picture.
It seemed more than could be expect
ed that anyone having a valid claim to
all these agreeable objects should vol
untarily surrender it; but that was pre
cisely what Mr. Ludwell had jnst an
nounced hiB resolution to do.
He had just read to Mrs. Darrel the
deed drawn up by Mr. Thwackett, by
which he renounced all claims, present
or prospective, to his uncle's property.
Mrs. Darrel had protested that such a
renunciation was out of the question,
and then Mr. Ludwell had proceeded to
briefly state his views and feelings.
Nothing, he said, could induce him to
so lower himself in the eyes of his cous
ins as to prosecute a snit which must be
attributed to unworthy motives. A per
son without pride of character might
resort to such a step—would think only
of securing the Meadows property, and
stoop to any means of coming into poB-
sossion of it-; but as for himself, he had
only to say that such a thing was out of
the question.
“I should not be able to look my
Cousin Kose in the face if I did so,” he
said. '* She would have the right to de
spise me, and I could not bear that. I
would much rather return to my work
in the West than become rich under
such circumstances, so I have formally
declared my intentions in this paper,
my dear cousin, and nothing, I may as
woll say, can induce me to change them.”
Mrs. Darrel had listened with flushed
cheeks, and evident embarrassment.
It was plain that she was reflecting upon
every aspect of the affair, and unable to
decide. And this indecision, it must be
confessed, was natural. Conflicting in
terests in turn presented themselves to
her mind and contended with each oth
er. She loved her daughter dearly, but
Major Singleton's attentions had made
a certain impression upon her. If Rose
married her cousin they would take the
property, and she lierselt would be only
entitled to a maintenance. From the
nositlon of mistress of the household
she would descend to one of compara
tive dependence, and however she might
attempt to disguise the fact or reject the
impression, she probably felt that such
a change in her status would have a se
rious effect upon Major Singleton.
But then tl ere was no doubt at all
that Colonel Ludwell had meant the
young people to have the property.
They were to marry and live at the
Meadows as master and mistress and
she was to enjoy only an annuity. That
was plainly the darling wish of the
dead gentleman—and she was to defeat
it! She was not only to accept the offer
of the heir to surrender the property,
but to give her deliberate consent to a
step which would beggar her daughter.
‘‘Why not call in Rose?” she at last
said feebly, in a sort of dospair.
“She would believe that! was think
ing of the property and not of herself,”
said Mr. Ludwell.
“ But she knowB you are not merce
nary! You had no part in this strange
arrangement. No one can attribute to
you unworthy motives—it would be ab
Burd l”
“ They would surely bo attributed, my
• dear madam,” said Mr. Ludwell, “ and
I cannot consent to appear in such an
attitude. I believe my Cousin Rose re
spects me now—she could not if I were
to stay here and worry her with my un
welcome attentions.”
“ But I cannot take that paper,” said
Mrs. Darrel, *‘I should feel ashamed."
Mr. Ludwell rose to hiB feet, with <»
sad smile, and put the paper in his pock
et.
“ It will not be necessary for you to
tike it. On my next visit to Scarbor
ough I will have it recorded in the Clerk'
office. Then the surrender of the prop
erty will be made, and the business will
lie lieyond your control.”
Having uttered these words with an
air of sad determination, Mr. Ludwell
left the drawing room, evidently
escape further discussion.'
to look him up. If he is not Vass—well
he’s the very devil!”
Mr. Ludwell smiled.
‘‘In that event yon will scarcely be
able to outwit him, Mr. Smith.”
“ I will discover him yet l He got off
with a cool hundred thousand from the
Wells & Farpo express, and there’s five
thousand waiting for me as soon as I
have the bracelets on him.”
You mean the handcuffs,” said Mr.
Ludwell with mild amusement. ‘‘Well*
I hope you will secure the reward. Ab
Mrs. Darrel leaned back in her seat, a character the step might have been at-
prey to nervous agitation, and in this tributed to a conviction that the deed
state she was found a quarter of an hour amounted to nothing.
afterwards by Rose. The young lady In the absence of any certain mfor-
had been engaged upstairs during the mation as to his real motives, it may not
interview, and now made her appearance be uncharitable to say that perhaps he
without the least knowledge that she did wish Rose to know of his self-sacn-
had been the subject of discussion. flee. If so, by terminating the interview
“ Why, mamma, what is the matter?” and going out for a walk in the grounds
she exclaimed. ‘‘You are trembling and he afforded, as has been seen, an oppor-
your face is all flushed. What has hap- tunity for the revelation,
pened?” Ashe reached the portico Mr. Lud-
“ I have just had a conversation with | well took from his pocket and lit a cigar.
—with your cousin.” TT ‘
A conversation? What do
mean, mamma?”
‘‘He has had a ,.- r — 0 . . „ . - . .
up the estate. You know what I mean, of the great gate he seemed to be medi- I was certain of that, Mr, Ludwell,
dear—he says he is resolved not to per- tating and enjoying the cigar which pro- as soon as I saw your face. If I get on
secute you with his attentions." moted it. the track Pll let you know. There seems
A slight color came to Bose’s cheeks, He was thus absorbed in his own to be nothing to do now but to go back
and she sat down making no immediate thoughts when the footfalls of a horse to Water ton, and make another search
reply. attracted his attention, and looking up there.”
“He declares,” added Mrs. Darrel, he saw that a man on horseback had ‘‘At Waterton? I understood that
‘‘that nothing can make him to take stopped at the gate and was coming in. you had ascertained he was not there.’
advantage of the will. You would have The horseman was that benevolent ‘‘I thought so, but begin to doubt it.’
the lowest opinion of him, and he has and smiling cattle dealer, Mr. Smith, ‘‘ And you have given up the idea that
given up the property.” ’ and at sight of Mr. Ludwell he executed he is this Mr. VasB?”
Rose continued to preserve silence, a low bow. “I don’t know what to think. I’ll
At last she said: This bow Mr. Ludwell returned with have him watched, and in the mean-
“ I cannot marry Mr. Ludwell.” scrupulous courtesy, and the stranger while will go back to Waterton.”
“ Mr. Ludwell ? You do not call him dismounted from his horse evidently re- Mr. Smith then bowed and remounted
cousin?” garding that proceeding as due to his his horse.
‘‘Well, mycousin, Mr. Ludwell, then,” compassion. “I should be really interested in hear-
said Rose. “Mr. Ludwell, I believe,” said Mr. ing how you succeed,” said Mr. Lud-
“But why not? You cannot surely Smith with deferential politeness. well,
think him mercenary now when he has “ That is my name, sir,” replied Mr. “ I will let you know, sir—good morn-
given up his claim to the Meadows.” | Ludwell, bowing in turn and pausing in | ing.”
“ I should not think him mercenary if his walk,
be had not,” said Rose quietly. 1 “ Mv n
Mrs. Darrel looked at her daughter.
“Then you are i nwilling to accept
his attentions for some other reason.
What is the reason, my child?”
Rose colored a little, but replied in
the same quiet tone:
My name is Smith, at your service,
sir”—and Mr. Smith was about to add
in the cattle business,” when he stop-
{ >ed and for a moment remained silent,
ooking intently at Mr. Ludwell.
This scrutiny seemed to satisfy him.
This quiet gentleman might be trusted, I
And Mr. Smith rode away.
(to be continued.)
«»>4«
[The DeSaussures commenced in No. 14, of
Volume 2, and will run for several months yet.
Back numbers containing this thrilling and
deeply interesting historical romance can be had
at five cents per copy.]
THE DeSAUSSURES.
It is surely enough to say that I do and Mr. Smith said:
not feel toward my cousin, Mr. Ludwell “I wi.l not attempt to conceal my real
in a way to justify me in receiving his character from you, Mr. Ludwell. I
at entions.” have been some days at the station here,
Mrs. Darrel shook her head. and pass for a cattle dealer. As I feel
“ You will not be annoyed by his ad- that I am talking to a responsible gen-
dresses. He has given up any such in- tleman, I will say that I am really an
tention, and the property of course in agent of the secret police.”
consequence.” I “ Of the secret police 1 A detective, , t „„
Rose listened withtlie same quiet air, | sir?” said Mr. Luawell, exhibiting some I was reading the news of the glorious
*" """ ‘ surprise. [victory when Mrs. Lawson’s carriage
A Historical Romance.
BY B. F. SAWYER.
CHAPTER XXX.
A number of guests were still at La-
Vergne, and to these Mrs. DeSaussure
and seemed to reflect.
“He has had such a deed written,
mamma?” she said at length.
Yes, he brought it and gave it to
me. When I refused to receive it he
took it to have it recorded in court.”
Rose reflected again. Was she ask
ing herself whether the whole was not heard the name—but I can give you no
a ruse, and whether Mr. Ludwell had 1 - — - -
not intended to have the whole affair re
ported to herself? That view seemed I
very uncharitable, tut perhaps it may
have occurred to the young lady that *« j was H0 informed and called on you I of usher.
Mr. Ludwell’s step was to be so explain- for that rea son.” “This is Mrs. DeSaussure,” she said
e i • F ?> r BOI ? e r ea8 ° n impossible to ex- M Ludwell seemed a little mvstifipd aIter tlie interchange of greetings,
lain, Rote had not taken a P«tlaiil«r| I«lad to «nM Iffn. ]>e8«i>nue.
son lias written so pleasantly about
„ that I feel as if I already knew you,”
1 explain, said tnat gentleman. aa i d ^e lady as Mrs. DeSaussure saluted
fcves. t L w ?° b »? lately armed her with a kiss ahnost romantic in its
“He has certainly abandoned his >n this neighborhood. His name is Vass I sympathy
claim,” said Mrs. Darrel, still agitated when he is at home, but ‘ on the road,’ »«Thank you, I am glad to know you.
by a nervous tremor, “ and I really do as we say, I think he goes by the name H ave waited so eagerly for your coming,
notkhow what to do.” of James Wdsom Nate, a tt e nd to Mrs. Lawson’s equipage.
“Whynotacceptthepaper,mamma?”f A 9 — - •
said Rose.
“ But then you will lose the property,
dear!” inere ana in tne west. 1 think you I arm ^he two ladies conducted the hon-
“But you will have it, which is just passed some years there and were an ored visitor up the broad stairs to an
the same, mamma.” officer on the Pacific Railroad, Mr. Lud- elegant chamber prepared drys ago and
“ No, it is not the same—that is—you well. aet apart f or her.
children do not understand business,” . “Yes, sir, the North Pacific—I was ^ ud a f te * r a refreshing lavation
said Mrs. Darrel, blushing. Was she mspector and confidential assistant.” aml her maid had dressed the hair and
thinking that her own marriage would I Well, in such a capacity you must Lhamred the travelling silk for a cool
* * * * * * * — n anon a ivvaaf iinmKnv nf I P _ .1- C* ~ • * i.
“Either name describes my piofes- drove up.
on, Mr. Ludwell. I am here looking “ It is Mrs. Lawson, the mother of
a certain James Wilson, an express | Major Lawson. It will be a sad shock
robber, who is supposed to be lurking
in the neighborhood.”
“James Wilson? I think I have
information of him. The fact is, Mr.
to her,” ex lained Mrs. DeSaussure.
“ Drucie, go with me to meet her.”
It was the first time the ladies had
ever met. They were drawn together
by a common sympathy with the com
Smith, I have been absent some years radeship of their sons. Miss Coleman
and am a comparative stranger here.” had met her in Edgefield and was pre-
Mr. Smith bowed. | pared with a cordial smile to act the part
Have you heard of the battle, Mrs.
XIX.
reports are always exaggera
ted,” soothingly said Mrs. DeSaussure.
“ But you know not how I love him,
he iB all I have,” cried the mother.
“Yes; I know. I love my own son
as well, and 1 can feel every pang
distresses you. But we must hope;
must be brave as our sons are brave,
answered the lady.
“But tell me. How was it that }’ ou
heard. Please let me know all ? ...
“ You know the worst, and now I " 11
tell you all. Heie is the paper that cam*
to-day,” she said handing her ue
“extra.”
MR. LUDWELL AND HR. SMITH.
Had Mr. Ludwell in reality those ul
terior views attributed to him by Rose?
—in other words, had he made that for
mal renunciation of the property, in or-
cannot iparry Mr. Ludwell only because Mr. Ludwell seemed to be reflecting.
Uncle Philip wished me to do so—and “ No, I do not think I ever met him,” | Lawson? ” she asked looking away as if
you and he have quite forgotten another he said. “ I have an impression that I afraid to meet the enquiring glance flasu-
thrng, mamma. saw such a person when I was a boy in ed upon her.
“Another tiling, my child?” this neighborhood, and have a vague “The battle, no! what of it?” with a
“ I mean that he would be justified in recollection that he bore a rather indif- start,
having as bad opinion of me as of him- ferent character—but I do not recall “ There has been a great battle fought
self—if I consented to his attentions meeting him in the West, though it is in Virginia. The news has just come.”
with the property before my eyes, as my possible I may have dene so. I should “ Oh, then, you have news for me—
reward for accepting them.” probably not have known him.” Lad news, I Bee. My God, tell me!”
. “ exclaimed Mrs. Darrel, I 44 You say his character was bad when I cried the anxious mother,
in a tremor, my head is turning round, he lived in this neighborhood?" “ it i« not bo sad. Your Bon, Major
what am I to do ?” “ I think so—1 am not certain. I was Lawson, is wounded.”
Do nothing, mamma,’ said Rose U o young to have such reports make a I “ Wounded; my brave boy ?” with a
with excellent sense, “ and now you re- very strong impression upon me.” piteous sob
ally must go and lie * — 1 “ 4 - J — ” ■ 1
■trembling like a leaf I”
down—you are “ And you are Bure you are unable to “ Yes; but it may not be dangerous.
remember meeting him in the West,” The dispatches did not say so, and you
said Mr. Smith with obvious disappoint- know first repoi