The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-12-21
hypocrites! l will write and tell him

gether understand it," he added, as
though some special thought perplexed
him; but, Willie, | cannot hear of
your writing to Mr.. Manley as you pro-
| pose-it would be both foolish and
wrong"
maybe, but shall do it,
=" Then you quarrel with me also,
Stansfeld.''
Il shall be very sorry, but my mind
is made up"
:" SO is mine, and if you send this let
ter you will not see me again for long
time"
And Mr.. Turner left. Then the. letter
was written, and a vastly stupid letter
it was, of course.
In fact, Willie Stansfield was slightly
demented at this time. His love affair,
his desire to act honorably to his patron,
and even to go abroad as a help to
himself to do so; then Mr.. Manley
throwing him back, as it were, into the
meshes from which he desired to es-
cape; and, finally, his general discon-
tent at his present life and the pros
poets of his future, all these things
brought about a degree of mental eff
fervescence hardly consistent with per-
feet sanity. He did not stop at writing
the letter to Mr.. Manley. He must
needs go head over heels into mischief,
into almost ruin, it seemed indeed He
saw the secretary of the bank and spoke
in such unmeasured terms that the sec
Rotary plainly told him the board would
not improbably think he had better
leave the company. That afternoon
Stansheld went home in worse state
of mind than ever.
1t was two days after this that Mr..
Turner, hearing Mr.. Manley had come
to London, went to see him at his club.
They were well known to each other.
81 am glad to see you, Turner" said
Mr.. ManlcY, "mOre especially because
you perhaps can throw some light on
the movements of that stupid boy
Stansfield. Where's he run off top
Run off! Really, l don't know. |
haven't seen him for couple of days.
In fact, | quarrelled with him over
threat Of his writing you, in what saw
would be most unjustitiable strain,
about you not supporting his wish to
be sent to India
Unjustiiiable! The letter came,
sure enough, and was simply abomin-
able. One would think had done him
some deadly injury. Now Just see how
vexing this affair is to me. | confded
to you that it had crossed my mind
there was some feeling between this lad
and my daughter Laura. When STAINS
fields letter arrived asking me to
support him for the Indian appoint
ment, Laura and | were at breakfast,
and after reading it | said, Laura, you
will be glad to hear young Stansfield
is just off to India. He wants to make
his fortune in a hurry. 1t is a good
berth he is going to, and the only draw
back is that both the previous occupants
died of yellow fever, but Willie may
be more lucky Well, after | had
witnessed the effect of my little
speech, | had no doubt how mat
tiers stood, and | thought, well, | sup
pose | ought to be very angry. |
ought to denOunce these two Young
people, and threaten them with my
bitterest anger if they should for an in
slant think of one another again. But
for once in my life will take time to
consider. The world would speak
out finely if it knew what is in my
mind at this moment. What do | care
for the world? But at all events Master
Willie must not 90 to India, and | will
write and tell him so. Yet | must be
cautious do not let him see what is
in the background, and which may
never get to the front. [ must simply
decline to aid HIM, and he will well
know l have his interest at heart
but now its all over" exclaimed
the old gentleman, with heightened
color and flashing eyes. HE has gone
his own way, his own head-strong,
foolish way, and he has ruined him
SELF
Ibid l understand you he is not
forthcoming?" asked Mr.. Turner.
Just 50. He's made off like a
scamp-not that he is one, but what
will people think? The dreadfully
stupid boy, after writing me as he did,
must 90 and downright bully our
secretary at the bank, who gave him
hint that harm might come of it.
Whereupon, it would appear, the idiot
returned to his lodgings, paid his few
debts (for he was thrifty and honor
able young blockhead), put his tritling
possessions together, and disappeared
in cab
"Truly deplorable. But now the
thing is to find this crazed lad. We
must take all necessary steps-the po-
lice advertisements
Not one 50 far as l am concerned,
Turner. That youth might in time
have been my son-in-law, rich, blessed
with dear and loving wife-every kind
of happiness at his-but no, we are
parted. He may be a fool, he may be
mailman. To neither will trust my
Laura. My decision is irrevocable,
pray say no more. Willie Stansfeld
must do something very praiseworthy
indeed before he returns to my favor"
He thought of these words in many
an after year.
"What a hopeless couple of men to
deal With soliloquized Mr.. Turner,
as he wendell his way home. Zone
the impersonation of violent temper,
and the other of obstinacy. And sc
this quarrel, which might so easily be
arranged, is to cause ever so much suf
fering and injury, without any prospect
of a termination. 1t is truly deplora
ble.''
1t was; but as to bringing Willie
| StanSGal1 hack that woo ont Of III,