Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-05-02
MR.. VINEYARDS WARD.
BY IIOLME LEE.
AUTHOR OF "syLvAN HoLT's DAUGHTER.
CHAPTER III.
EASTWOOD HOUSE IN DECAY.

1t was opened by mamma in person-by
mamma nicely dressed, and smiling as II she
had just come down from her room. She
was smiling, but 1t was smile so forced that
Francis Immediately said, "What is the
matter, mamma? Where is papa?'
:" He has gone on a journey, dear; will
tell you about it by-and-by. Come in now
tea will soon be ready, with ham and eggs,
in tho drawing-room. am sure you are
hungry and then Mrs. Wynyard broke of
suddenly, with a quiver in her voice, looking
round upon them all half bewildered.
"Tca in the drawing-room, mamma shall
we have it with yous" cried Lois, delighted.
"With me, my winter blossom" respond
ed Mrs. Wynyard, and took her youngest
child in her arms. 1t seemed TO Lois, Maui
rice, and Geolfrey that mamma was gay
but Francis and Anne looked at her and at
each other, and felt that il was only fair
seeming to hide sharp suffering
| Nurse now came on the scene-nurse with
out any prctence at jollity. g You've got
ten home BARNS, was her address; you've
had your bit Of pleasure, and it's over
sit Is orer, but we have had il, rejoned
Gcofl'rey, mimicking her lugubrious tone.
Then there came inquiries about grand
papa and grandmamma, and the uncles,
dunts, and cousins, which loosed all the
| young tongues, and sci them going together
on the eloquent theme of Brackcnfiold and
its festivities. In the full midst OF the gossip
nurse swept the chattcrers off impatiently
| upstairs, to change their travelling garb for
| something more suitable to sit at tea in the
| drawing -room-in its way treat worthy
even TO compare with those enjoyed in the
hospitable Christmas Eden whence they were
Just returned. But the check only invigorat-
| I'd their powers of speech. When they were
re-collected round the table, with mamma
| presiding at the teaboard, and Anna dispcns-
ing fragrant collops, the loudness and fluen-
| ~ Of Godfrey and Maurice became quite
tunnng, deafening. Francis said little, but
ne thought the more. The irrepressble To-
| luaciiy Of his brothers annoyed him, be-
cause he saw the effort his mother had to
make TO bear it. She listened with a sweet
patience; with a careful sclf-watchful atten-
ion, dropping Il question here, II word o.
wonder there, note of admiration every
where, MS if fearing lest her children slout
lctcct some want, some loss.
"Oh, dear mamma | love you, am sc
iappy," gushed Lois, presently, leaning d
| "a M l.. urIj bnr st,,r
caress which Mrs. Wynyard never withheld
from her expectations. She took the darl
ing into her lap now and poured out second
ups Of tea with inconvenicnt satisfaction to
diem both.
Penelope Croft sat in her accustomed
place, where she could turn on the watcl
from the urn to replenish the pot, and cut
fresh wedges Of bread to appease, if posi-
hle, those unappeasable young appetites
She had felt the atmosphere of restraint and
pain the moment she came into the house
Nobody more sensitive to atmospheres ant
currents, whether literal or metaphorca
than Pennie. The result was perfect silence
on her part. AIillicent Hutton, Mayiield
every romantic or pathetic fancy that hat
kept her sweet company through the days
journey vanished now-out of sight, out o
mind-under the influence of very presen
but invisible disaster. All the Eastwolt
children had acquired that discretion o
speech which lies in asking few questions
When they asked one, and were not direct
ly answered, they never repeated or pressed
it. Francis was exceedingly impatient to b'
alone with his mother, but his impatienct
sought no manifestation beyoud an occasion
al reminder to Maurice that, while he talked
so fast, he did not CAT, and when all the res
had finished he would be to wait for. Tha
papa was gone on a journey was very new
news to all of them; for Mr. Wynyard'
travels had of late years never extended be
yond the county town. But not one wa
tempted to inquire whittier he had gone af
ter they had heard mamma promise to tel
Francis by-and-by. Tea ana talk over, ,thoy
all gathered round the fire for few minutes
longer realization of real home then sale
goodnight, Lois adding, with wistful en-
treaty, that she wanted to kiss papa.
"Kiss mamma for both, and I'll give you
ride upstairs pickaback,' suggested Francis
and the little whmperer went off, cxaltet
and exaltant, her brief trouble forgotten ii
her big brothers wonderful condescension
Gcoffrey and Maurice decampcd also, bu
Pennie and Annie fingered, doubtful whethe
to go or stay. When Francis returned
| IN i'm ta1 -. 4,
less tugging, Anna rose from the rug at he
mothers feet, and decided to go, Pennic wen
with her, their consideration silently bu
Significantly acknowledged.
Francis Wynyard had the privileges of Al
, eldest son at Eastwood already. A YER
strong bond of affection and confidence sub
sisted between himself and his mother. ]
his father had talked with him less and les
openly, il was from the natural shrinkin
any man might feel at telling his heir tina
t his inheritance was dwindling down to moth
!, ing; that the name which had descended t
him, rich in honor, would pass from him,
not tarnished, at all events lowered in tn
e pride and pompt Of circumstances, dcnude
Of all the outward and visible appliances {
/ rank. Francis understood the facts by il
ference, and through his mothers often er
o couragement to vigour of purpose and actiy
seli-reliance. That was why he had fixe
his future hopes on the life of soldier, in
stead of on the beatific visions of squiredon
$ which, under continuance of the formt
y order of things, would have been his cas-,
uneventful destiny. And he had just th,
is amount of ardent, adventurous spirit whic
e enabled him TO see beforehand how the
o would be compensation in the change
~ ootuta