The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1881-03-11

q any hope Of curing him. Il IT,
hs trsmblsd q he put the question. u
it hereditary madness r
Feeling the serious Importance q
concealing the truth Stella only rsplis
that she had hesitated 20 ask II ther
was . taint Of madness in the family
II suppose" she added, "you wouit
not like to see the boy and Judge Of hi
!; chances Of recovery for yourselfY'
"You suppose" he burst out; will
sudden anger. "You might be sure
The bare idea Of seeing him turns m.
cold. Oh. when shall I forget wher
shall ! forgetl Who spoke Of hin
frst' ?" he said, with renewed irritability,
after . moment Of silence. "You
or Ir
. ut was my fault, love-he is 80 harm.
less and 30 gentle, and he has such q
sweet face, I thought it might sooths
| you 70 zee him. Forgive me We will
nsvSF speak Of him again. Have I'd,
any notes for me to copys You know,
Lewis, I am your secretary now"
So she led Romayne away to his study
and his books. When Major Hynd
arrived she contrived to be the first to
see him. "Say as little as possible
about the Generals widow and her son."
she whispered.
The major understood her. "Don't
be uneasy, Mrs. Romayne." he answered.
II know your husband well enough to
know what you mean. Besides, the
news bring is good news"
Romayne came in before he could
speak more particularly. When the SER
wants had left the room, after dinner, the
major made his report.
81 am going to agreeably surprise
you," he began. CAN responsibility to-
ward the Generals family is taken of
our hands. The ladies' are on their way
back to France"
Stella was instantly reminded of one
Of the melancholy incidents associated
with her visit to Camps Hill. "Madam
Marillac spoke of brother Of hers who |
disapproved of the marriage" she said.
"Has he forgiven herr"
"That is exactly what he has done,
Mrs. Romayne. Naturally enough, he
felt the disgrace of his sisters marriage
to such man as the General. Only the
other day he heard for the first time that
she was widow, and he at once travelled
to England I bade them goodbye yes
terday-most happily reunited--on their
Journey homo again. All, thought
you would be glad, Mrs. Romayne, to
hear that the poor widows troubles are
over. Her brother is rich enough to ,
place them all in easy circumstances t
s as good fellow as ever lived"
"Have you seen him?" Stella asked, I
eagerly. q
II have been with him to the asy Z
lum." q
"Does the boy go back to Franes?' I
"No. We took the place by surISs 7
and saw how well-conducted it was. he I
boy has taken . strong liking to the fro.
prietor--a bright, cheerful old man, kho l
is teaching him some of our English
games, and has given him pony to ride i
on. He burst out crying. poor creature. I
at the idea Of going away-and his t
mother burst out crying at the idea Of v
leaving him. 1t was melancholy scene. h
You know what q good mother is--nc h
sacrifice is too great for her. The boy r
stays at the asylum, on the chance that I
his healthier and happier life there may
help to cure him. By the way, Romayne, e
his uncle desires me to thank you" t
Hynd, you didn't tell the uncle my L
name?" j
"Don't alarm yourselfl He is . gen.
.leman, and when I told him I was 8
pledged to secrecy, he made but one in
luiry-he asked if you werea rich man. c
told him you had eighteen thousand Q
year."
"Well?" i.
"Well, he set that matter right be. ,
ween us with perfect TASTE He said: ;,
1 cannot presume to offer repayment u
o person so wealthy. We gratefully :.
ccept our obligation to our kind un-
,nown friend. For the future, how !,
ver, my nephew's expenses must be paid :,
rom my purse Ofoourse, could only =
gree to that. From time to time the y
mother is to hear, and am to hear, how !,
he boy goes on. Or, if you like, Ro- >,
nsyne-now that the Generals family
ave left England don't see why the =,
roprietor might not make his report :;
irectly to yourself" - :,
"NoT Romayne replied, positively. \,
Let things remain as they are" +
every well. The asylum is close by, q,
Hampstead-that was what made me =.
,ink of it. Will you give us some '
lusic. Mrs. RomayneY Not tonight? Ii
hen let us go to the billiard-room; and, p
! am the worst Of bad players, will dl
* you to help me beat your accom- &C
lished husband" m
On the afternoon of the next day Mrs. y
yrecourt's maid arrived at Ten Acres it
it'll note from her mistress.
"DEAREsr srELIA-Matilda must bring you nc
y excuses for to-day. 1 don't in the least un- hi
,rstand it, but seem to have turned lazy. 1t th
most ridiculous-I roally cannot get out Of I.
ID. Perhaps did do little too much ycster- sb
~ The opera after the garden-party, and . "a,
III after the opera and this tiresome cough ,
night after the ball. Quite . series, isn't IL u"
AXE my apologies to our dismal Romayne, and 70
you drive out this afternoon come and have OF
at with me. Your Afectionate mother, co
"EMILY EYREoouRr.
"P. s.-You know what . fdget Matilda is. ,;o
she talks about me, don't believe . word she a.
ys to you"
Stella turned to the maid with q sink ~ nv
g heart.
SIS my mother very i'll ?" she asked. 49,