The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-11-03

money that would suffice for watel ng. place
existence But it did seem hard lines to him
that he must give up the old place. He had
taken to the country AS thoroughly as his faith
or before him had been unable TO do so. He
now remembered that among the conditions of
sale there was sentence respecting " immcdl-
ate possession" The immediate possession
was all very well on the side of receiving i'm
mediate payment, but was it was not SO well
on the side of Immediately turning out.
But it must be done, thought the squire re-
morsctully. 1t was now becoming high time
that he should look out for "A new residence in
Bath or Chcltcnham He must put things in
order, gather up his scattered shelves. He
must begin at once and first of all with his
own private chattcls and lrlun ,i1'9. l. vas Il
pitcous sight to see the old ...... Il his den,
bringing together fishing rods a... lines, books
and papers, disturbing things which all his
| life long had never been disturbed. He found,
when the time now came that he could be
ltransplantcd, how deeply his whole being had
taken root in the soil, He was soon tired and
bewldcred, leaning his face on his hands and
moaning.
Just then Gertrude entered.
Papa dear" she said feeling uneasy and
moving quickly towards him. What is the
matter? Tell mey'
There is nothing the matter, dear; only |
am rather put out this morning 1t makes me
sorry to leave the old place"
Sorry, should think so, indeed be
gin to hate that Major Eveleigh The notion
of his turning us out of doors"
All, Gertrude, Gertrude, is this statement
strictly vcracious and historic? After all those
walks and rambes, is there only Il spirit OF
hatred implanted in your celestial breast:
1t is no fault of his, my dear" said the old
man. " He only comes because want to go;
And he comes in a much more pleasant and
liberal way than many would come"
But it is so hard that we should have to
20, owing to those shocking banks and rail
ways
you will enjoy the change 10 Bath or Chel-
tenham, my dear. Plenty of society, promen-
enades, balls, concerts"
Some girls might enjoy il, papa, but not |,
AT least not for more than week or two. l
think Lcscombc the most beautiful spot in the
whole world; the sea, the combcs the moor,
the mountains, the woods
Il know it, my dear. | know it as well As
you do. But, Gertrude, you are not child.
You know all my affairs as well as know
them myself. Let lis be grateful that this sale
will enable us to leave the place with honor,
and live pleasantly in pleasant place
On several occasions he afterwards dcScant-
ed on the glories of Bath and Chcltenham.
But though Gertrude tried to appear delight
ed with his description, she retained her pri-
waite conviction that LcsCombc was the center
OF the universe.
one day she had been sitting on a messy
stone beneath an ancient arch Of the ruins OF
st. Julian's Chapel. ITO her" As they say in
the play books came the gallant major port
folio in hand to complete some sketches otthc
/ ~.,lA I1yts-
ever hateful he might be as the early propnc-
tor of Lescombe, still the monster drew so well
that he was quite capable Of giving Gertrude
LcsCombc Il few useful hints They both
worked together for half an hour.
We'll, this is a beautiful! place sand the
major really with a keen love of fine scenery.
But the words grated unpleasantly on Ger
trudcs ear. a. if they conveyed a thorough ap-
probation of newly acquired property.
Dear old Lr,cUmbc" said the girl, and the
fair lips began tn culver and the eycla,Acs
were wet.
The major did not observe these sign, Of
emotion, and proceeded:
/ shall not make any alteration. The
| place is simply perfect | shall leave every
/ thing exactly Is it j.. | really cannot make
out why the squire should want to give up the
place He cannot be 50 well off anywhere else. -
liphln8 Ut Ms Iiilloll : ll' T. llll HLI'I
saw that She WAS moved with deep emotion
She turned her face away and raised her hand
| to screen herself from observation.
| Miss Lescombc Gertrude he exclaimed
4" what on earth is the matter? Ii is impOssl
/ bic that can have said anything 10 give you
! pain | would rather cut oil my right hand
! than do so"
1T is not your fault, know very well, Ma
| jor Eyeleigh; but We arc 50 very. very sorry
! to leave the old place. Why do We lcayeitg You
| don't suppose We should leave il unless we wcr,
obliged to leave
Obliged!' echoed the major, with genu
! inc look of Amusement " had really nevCl
thought of the matter in that point of view
Neither had he His own impression hat
been, rs he afterwards had an opportunity fol
explaining, that the Squire having no son. die
not care to keep such big place in hand, anC
thought of retiring to some fashionable local
ity. Unfortunately in these days il is no new
thing Tor people to give up country estates ant
retire into fashionable centres.
Now, Gertrude, dear Gertrude, listen t
me- said the Major, placing his hand on he
arm in Il hcSecching mood. You may b,
quite sure that do not want you to leave Les
cOmbc Ever since | have known YOU have
had the ambition to make you in real trutl
the mistress of icscombc and the place woulC
lose all its charms if YOU would not stay her
rs my Wife
And now Gertrude wa, trembling Il, well II
crying.
And as for the dear old man, shall he dc
lighted if he will stay here altogether, cXactl,
as he used To do. We will he As happy as W
have been during the last few weeks"
And the happy girl was Obliged To comics
4 that If she loved LcSCombc and her father, sh
/ ol-n tfulv loved Frank EyclciWh
i do not exactly know what were the settle
mcnt, and the business arrangements. The,
were in the safe hands Oi Mr. Parker and tn
gentleman on the other side ~ the Maio
lucidlv explained the matter any money !.
put nlothc estate would eventually come bacl
In him II was only taking money out of on
waistcoat pocket and putting it into the Other
Hardy was the " best man" on the occasion @
the marriage. Gertrude finds that, much a
she loves LcSCombc. run ON the Con,incn
and Il season in town are cndumblc. Til
Sduirc continue, the virtual lord OF LcScomh,
j The Evcleighs have two SONS; and one of thcl