Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-05-09
MR.. VINEYARDS WARD.
BY HOLME LEE.
AUTHOR OF "sYLvAN HOLT's DAUGHTER. "
CHAPTER ".
PENELOPE AT MAyFIRLD.

to an end Francis, Geoifrey and Maurice
went back to school-the Grammar School
at Allan Bridge, where they boarded with
the head-master, DR.. Tasker. Miss Rosslyn,
the girls governess, did not return, Mrs.
Wynyard having decided that she must
teach Anna and Lois herself henceforward.
As for Penelope Croft, her elementary educa-
ton might be considered as finished, and
any learning she wanted further it was in
her own power to acquire from books of
which there was no lack in he guardians
| house.
Pennie had none of the polite accomplish
ments. She played on the piano with
wooden finger, her voice was untuneable,
she had no eye for perspective OH paper, and
her dancing was as queer as her countenancc.
Miss Rosslyn had laboured at her in vain.
"She is a good girl, and clever girl in
her way; but she knows nothing beyond the
three Rs--reading, riting and 'rithmctic,"
said the painstaking, disappointed woman,
feebly joking.
"Say the four RS, and add ridlng-I can
do almost anything with horse" cried
Pennie, who overheard her
Do almost anything with horse! she
might have said, too, that she could DO al
most anything with tree, wall, hurdle
to climb, a race to run, boat to row, a
bird to shoot, dog to break. These things
came natural to her. II was thousand pit
les she was not boy, for she never would
be lady. 1t was however within the limits
or possibility that she might be straightfor-
ward, practical. honest little gentlewoman
and as she grew up. it become more and
more certain every day that this was what
she would be. Small, plain, outspoken, ro-
mantle, generous, simple, courageous, duti-
ful...those, ysre~the outlines of Mr.. Wyn,
yards ward when his circumstances and Mr..
Hargroves alarm drove him into exile
Pennie was likely to feel his absence less
than ANYBODY at Eastwood. She was out.
That had been accomplished the previous
October. at the Norminster Hunt Ball, when |
she was pronounced. bv high provincial
authority. the ugliesl three -year-old he had
ever seen, but with pot of money, and no
end of fun in her. Her mother, who still
presided in rosy widowhood and prosperity
over Mavtield Farm. was kent wen informed
of every event that transpired at Eastwold
News of MIR. Vineyards journey reached
her through the usual channel--the weekly
letter from her daughter-and common fame
told her the rest. She was not dispo.ed to
be anxious about Pennies fortune, but she
was yery much disposed to bewail her pros
poets.
"Why, the house'll be ever so dull; there'll
be no company for her, poor thing no beaux,
nor nothing" Thus she opened her mind
to her confidential gossip, Mrs. Jones, of
Beckby Farm. She had set her heart on
Pennies MARRYING early sThen shall,
maybe get her more to myself" was her
wily expectation.
at wasn't fair of Jonathan, was it, Mrs.
Jones. to take the BARN away from us all,
for her to grow up a stranger to her own
mother and kin? Not that she's proud, bless
her, not a bit of IL, Shes the same with
one as with another for she has got real
sensy head of her own, Just like her father.
IF sbe were onlv bonnvl She'd better have
taken after Listers than after Crofts. Listers
has MI clean skins. and wears well; Crofts
is sallow. and ares soon I don't want her
IN marry hioh-there'd be no comfort if she
married birb. / should like to see her take
IN with Mr. Tom Rootbbv now. or her
cons;n. Dick Lister. I could 20 to their
boroos and fool at home with nv own child.
But if abe was to take up with a dandy fel-
low sucb no vounp RAYMOND at Eskford. or
CANAAN Ranebam. with his great red beard.
sbe,d be further off nor ever
uGet her over to Mavfield for n week or
two. " suggested Mrs. Jones, entering cordial
ly into her neighbours feelings. am give
IL was me was her mother should be all