FOOTPRINTS; OR, STOLEN AWAY.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4562, 18 August 1883, Page 1

FOOTPRINTS; OR, STOLEN AWAY.

[An Obiginal Stoby.]

CHAPTER I. ." Lives of great men all remind us

We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us, Footprints on the sands of time."

ROCHDALE PBIOBY.

" Thus says the noble poet," cried young Ralph Egerton. closing the book he had been reading; and rising from his reclining position beneath the grateful shade of the old elm 3 that spread their leafy branches above the sheltered nook, where he had ensconced himself for the indulgence of his favorite pastime. "But how can I so lire?" soliloquised the youth, " that my footprints may remain, and cbeer and guide some shipwrecked brother? What can I do with my life to make it thus grand and noble ?" With the shadow of this thought upon his fine, open brow, he turned away from the quiet retreat he had chosen, and walked slowly towards .the house, the home of his uncle, where he was spending bis College vacation with his cousin Egbert, the heir of Rochdale Priory. A real old English home was the Priory, and as Ralph neared the end of the pleasant avenue, and caught a glimpse of the old house, bright witfi the rich tints of 8n autumnal sunset, his heart glowed with admiration of its picturesque beauty. For Ealph was endowed with an innate love of the beautiful—he had indeed "the artist's eye and the poet's soul," and if he could have chosen his profession he would not have studied for the law, or pored over musty old books all day, as Egbert was wont to express it, but would rather have chosen the retirement of the artist's studio, or the seclusion of a leafy forest, or silent mountain path, where nought but the song of the birds, or the gurgle of the mountain stream, disturbed the peaceful calm of Nature's fairest scenes.

As he approached the house, he was overtaken by Egbert St. Aubyn, who, with his gun on his shoulder, and his dogs at his heels, was returning from a day's shooting. With a cheering smile he clapped Ralph on the shoulder, exclaiming heartily, . " Well, old boy! have you had a good time with your musty old books? We've had some fine sport to-day ; I did wish you had been out with us. Down Juno," he continued, as the faithful creature began pawing at his feet. '•Well, you know, I should have enjoyed it, Bert," replied Ralph, "but so much depends on my reading up for this term, though I have been spending an idle hour with an old favorite," displaying the volume he held in his hand.

"Ah! poor old Balph," answered his cousin, "pity you couldn't be a poet instead of a prosy old proctor; but never mind, there's always something in this world to wish for, something to be striv* ing after," then he added slowly, in a more thoughtful tone,—" Ralph, hare you seen Laura today?" "No, Bert," replied the youth, " she has not been to the Hall to-day. Mr Warburton was with uncle at the magistrate's meeting this moruiug, and he told him that the young ladies were going to the garden party at Sir Henry Hanlon's." "Humph, that young aristocrat I. exclaimed Egbert, with a scornful look upon

his handsome countenance, "*he will pour hit idle flatteries into Laura's ears; and ——but what am I saying ? Ralph, old boy, there's no use in denying it. lam helplessly, hopelessly in love, and if I don't win a Btnile from pretty Laura Warburton very shortly, I shall become desperate, I fear." "There don't, Bert," replied Ralph, remember the old adage, "faint heart ne'er won fair lady." and cheer up, yoor chance is as good us any fellow's, I think." "Well, well, Cupid's a fickle core at best; but, ray goodness, there's the dinner bell, &alph, and the mater will think all manner of things have happened." So saying, the young men entered the house and hurried to prepare to meet the family at dinner. Having changed his shooting jacket, and made himself presentable, Egbert hastened to the drawing room, where his mother, a queen'y woman of most gracious presence, who bore her years lightly, though many a silver thread gleamed forth among her once bonny brown hair, awaited his coming. Mrs St. Aubyn rose as he entered, and a fond look of maternal pride rested upon her fine countenance as be bent his head to kiss her upturned face, and then gave her his arm to conduct her to dinner. The only son of his mother, the only remaining scion of a noble, house, what wonder that she idolised him? or that over and over again she was wont to repeat to herself, "There is none like him —my noble chivalrqus boy." She was proud of him, proud of his handsome features and noble bearing, proud of bis race, talents, and intellectual capacity, and prouder still of his untainted honor, and filial devotion to herself. He was her stay in trial, her support in sorrow, for few outside the iry-covered walls of the Priory, were aware of the skeleton that lurked in its secret precincts, of the grief that had streaked that noble head , with silver. Mr St; Aubyn was indeed what the ( world termed a "jolly good fellow," and his friends were wont to speak of him as " no man's enemy but his own;" but alas for such an one, too often must the hot blush of shame; rise to the brow of those who should otherwise hare cherished no other feelings but those of respectful deference towards him; too often must the silent tear roll down the patient face of the devoted wife who should otherwise have found in him her joy and delight, her honor and her pride. "Your father has not returned yet," said Mrs St. Aubyn, as they entered the dining room, " 1 think it will be useless delaying thedinner any longer." "Perhaps: ho is dining with the Malcolm's, mother," replied Egbert, noticing the shadow,that crossed-her placid brow, "or he may hare returned with Mr Warburton.''

"Late again, Ralpb," said the lady, as her nephew presently appeared at the table, "where have you been hiding yourself all the afternoon ?" " Only out under the elms with my boon companions, aunt," replied the young man, playfully, " were you requiring my humble services ?,'.'.. : " Ob, no, but I fear you are not taking sufficient rest and relaxation from those books of yours, Ralph. I hope you will join the party at Mrs Warburtons's tomorrow; there is to be an archery meeting, and I have heard that you are a famous marksman, so you really must ' make trial of your skill." •

"Yes, Ralph," exclaimed Egbert, "and take an oar down the river too, like a true Oxonian; there's a splendid pull down to Warburton's. and some real good feilows are going too." "All right, I'll be ready, Egbert. Will you and Ethel accompany us, aunt ?" he enquired, gaily, " or are you intending to drive over?" •

•■'l cannot say," replied. Mrs. 8t Aubyn "perhaps Ethel may stay with Laura tonight—they have gone together "to Sir Henry Hanlon's—and in that case. I think I should remain at home. Hark !" she continued, " there's your uncle. ' Go, Egbert, to meet him; arid youV Ealpb, lend me your arm to the drawing room, I do not wish to meet all those noisy gentlemen." The old priory resounded with the sounds of noisy-.'laughter and uproarious mirth until a la.te hour, when its ; master was carried tohis room, a helpless,burden in the arms of his servants,'and a weary woman sat in her solitary chamber, listening for the departure of the guests,, who tarried long over their wine in the old oaken library. At last the sound of carriage wheels.was, heard, -and the iirm manly voice of Enbert as he stood in the hall, bidding the last carouser a calm "Good night." Then the lights were put out, and night spread her sable wings over the Priory and its inmates.

CHAPTER If.

JL .NOBIiE. SACBIFICE.

Softly the" eight wind sighed and rustled among the elms and chestnut trees as Ealph slowly paced the avenue, where the silvery moonbeams made grotesque shadows upon the leaf-strewn drive beneath. In the silent hush of night Ralph Egerton was doing battle with man's bitterest, "strongest enemy—Self, aud asking his own heart whether it could resign all hope of winning the love of gentle Laura Warburton, and allow Egbert to gain the beauteous prize. From childhood the cousins had . been friends—ah, more than friends, Lhey had been as brothers, cherished by ihe same gentle hand, sheltered by the same happy borne, taught by the same loving voice. For Ralph's father had been an officer in the army, and had fallen in the heat of battle, and while the land was yet ringing with the sounds of triumph and glory to tbe heroes of that direful day, his mother bad bowed her head.in the bitterness of widowhood, and very Boon had left her only child an orphan in the world (hat had treated her so cruelly. Then the little fellow had been taken to his aunt's kindly bosom, and was comforted by her tender care, which he repaid by the most ardent affection. Thus they had grown up together, and Kalph loved his noble, handsome cousin with all the ardor of his boyish heart. And he still lored him, even as David of old may have loved Jonathan, his princely friend, and his sensitive spirit shrank from giving him the slightest cause for sorrow. And now, it must needs be, that like a vision of beauty and gentle erace, fair Laura Warburton must flaih acrosi the lives of the two cousins, and before he hardly knew it, Balph found I.is- heart made captive by her charms, even while Egbert openly declared his affection, and deaire to win her for his bMHe" little thought that his words were as barbed arrows in the heart of his eoutin JUlpb, for his tw tho.-Oww,

undemonstrative nature, that could hide its keenest pain beneath a smile, ard learn to suffer and be still. Yet it was not without a severe struggle that poor Ralph decided to quench the fire of lore within his own heart, to bury in silence the deep affection, he cherished for the fair maiden, who should grace the home of his more favoured rival, and in the pursuit of learning and literary fame, forget this tender episode in his young life.

Slowly he retraced his steps to the house, entered quietly, bidding Egbert " good night" as he passed up the broad, oaken staircase that led to his chamber, and with a sigh for banished hopes and shattered air-castles, retired to rest. * # # ■■■#■■■#■ *

The long anticipated archery meeting was over, and other arrows beside those of the handsome marksmen and beautiful maidens, had flitted hither and thither at the bidding of that most subtle archer, thekeen, heart-thrilling bowsman, Cupid. Full of hope and sanguine expectations, Egbert had sought the object of his affections, and declared himself, Love's willing-.captire, and like a startled fawn the maiden had listened to his earnest tones, and bidden him "wait" until she should ask herself the momentous question, "Lovest thou this dark-eyed suitor, who asks thee for thy faith and fealty ?" Afterward, as Laura stood, bow in hand, and her arrow flew, with silent swiftness through the summer air, it had happened strangely enough that the winged messen ger should miss the mark, and fall with fluttering pinions, .at Ralph Egerton's feet.

A rosy blush o'erspread the fair brow of the maiden, as Ralph stooped, picked up the' arrow; and brought it back to her with a smile upon his handsome face. Then for one moment their eyes had met, and each one had read the story written there, the mute expression of undying love. Yet they Lad known that this page of their hearts must remain a sealed, unspoken utterance, for it was the pareutal decree that fair Laura should accept the suit of Egbert St. Aubyn, and Ralph had schooled his heart too well to betray the trust of his friend. And so it was, that on the morrow, when Egbert came for bis answer, Laura laid her trembling hind in his, and promised to be his wife. And Egbert, flushed with happiness, had clasped her in a fond embrace, and pressed the first kiss of love upon her cheek, wondering why that tear should sparkle in her eye as she Bllowed him to place the glittering diamond upon her slender finger. > /

Soon he bade her farewell, and hnrried home to receive the congratulations of his mother, whose most ardent wish was thus gratified, and the brotherly handshake of his cousin,, who knew by the expression of his r radiant countenance that " the fates had not been unkind to him."

And Laura, was sbe happy ? Well, perhaps her thoughts may have sometimes wandered to the handsome, loyal youth who bad counted honor too dear to be bartered for love, but if she did sometime indulge in a fleeting daydream of what might have been, she quickly banished the half whispered thought, and busied herself in the preparations for her approaching wedding. No one, not even Mrs St. Aubyn, guessed why Ralph should have found it quite impossible to be present at the ceremony that filled Rochdale Priory with gladness, but'when the bells rang out their merry peal, the fair young bride gave one last look into her past life, and thought of the absent one with tender, appreciative regret for his noble sacrifice. Henceforth, she was Egbert's loyal, loving wife, and by-and bye, when Ralph had completed hisjcourse.jto the surprise of everyone, especially his auufc, who had fondly hoped that an attachment might have been formed between him aud Ethel, her only daughter, he declared his intention to try his fortunes in a distant land, and with sincere wishes for the welfare and happiness of the two who were so dear to him, and the most filial expressions of gratitude to her who had so faithfully supplied his mother's place in his young life, bade adieu to bis native land, and sailed for Australia. ■

A few months later, tidings came to Rochdale Priory that the " Sea Queen " was lost, and all her liviug freight had perished in the pitiless waters.

{To be Continued. )