Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-02-02

He had also contributed ANONYMOUSLY
to the magazines miscellaneous
sketches, essays and verses, and to his
pen he looked for the means to support
himself while he waited for briefs: but
he soon found that the productions
which had provided an acceptable ad-
junct to his income proved a precarious
mainstay. In spite of all his economy,
debts accumulated; and he soon became
aware that they would 60 on accumu-
lating if he did not make some radical
change in his mode of life. His debtors
became importunate, and only refrained
from extreme proceeding because they
knew that he would ultimately be able
to pay everything with interest. He be-
came morbid by too frequently brooding
over his present circumstances. and
comparing them with the position which
he ought to have occupied had his
fathers affairs been managed with ordi-
nary discretion. He did not complain
of the change in his affairs, however.
and he tried not to think unkindly of
his father: but while he continued to
move among the friends and acouairt-
ances of his pallny days, he was con-
stantly reminded of what might have
been.
So one day he disappeared into the
unknown regions of Camberwell. and
there assuming his second baptismal
name of Esmond (Thackeray's novel
had always been one of his favorite
books), he determined to work out his
own way in life.
There had been no correspondence
between him and his father since the
day OF his leaving Calthorpe, but he had
learned indirectly that the old gentle
man was living a much more retired
life than he had hitherto done. Maurice
had been always expecting to be again
pressed to break the entail. and he
sometimes wavered in his determine
ton to persist in his refusal when he
thought of the old mans solitude and
comparative privation. Now came this
letter. and he he stated to open it. At
length he broke the seal. The letter
was written on the old-fashioned auarto
page; the penmanship was small and
angular, with many fiourishes: and the
lines were as close together as if post
age had still been a consideration.
CALTHORPE, April L.
my DEAR MAURICE: Although we parted
In somewhat unpleasant manner, / still
nopcu mat as soon "a you hal had tine to cool,
your better judgment would see the necessity
ana reaSonableneSs OF complying with my re-
quest, and that you would see II to be your
duty TO give me some indication that You re-
gretted the haste of your conduct That there
was some temper on my side, TOO, should be
the last person in the world to DENY: but the
pos tlons are different. Apart from our close
relationship (Which in itself should entitle me
TO some consideration on your part am your
senior In years and in experience OF the world,
and what petty ebullitiOn of rag gave way
10 should be attributed to the natural impa-
u"nce which any man of finely strung temper
ament would feel when so de libe ately and OBJ
stlnately opposed in the execution of what he
Deneved 10 be his duty by the very person he
most desired to benefit.
Therefore | waited, expecting such n let.
ter as your own good sense and filial senti.
MentS might dictate. need not saw that no
such letter has reached me: and il would be su.
perftuous to add that | have been grieved-
very much grievcd-by your silence hope
still TO receive from you some expression OF
regret But let that pass.
DO not he afraid my dear Maur CO, that
this is prelude to the T pet ton of my re-
quest that you should assist mo out of diff
Guilty. No; thank Heaven! on this occasion.
ms on former occasions when brought fac to
lace with stern necessity, l have found
come ii. You will b. gratitied to learn that
have succeeded in arranging everything salts.
factorily"
AT this point there were several lines
blotted out. and then in less distinct
characters came the words, "for the
present The letter continued;
TO BE CONTINUED.