Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-03-14
CHAPTER TX.
A RECONCILIATION.

it, he might not have believed her, but
there was nothing except the truth in
his niece Margarets voice and eyes.
She spoke, too, in tone Of regret as to
Mary's obdurate conduct, and there vas
the plain unmistakable fact of the let
ter sent in reply to the one Margaret
had written at her mothers request.
lie spoke very decidedly when he said
he would not go to Cranmore Square,
and Mrs. Allenby was secretly glad; but
she had her part to play, and played it
well
"Of course she is very young" the
lady said, "and her character is natur-
ally obstinate, still I have no wish to
say or think anything unkind now. We
must not expect too much of her. We
have to remember her early training
and lamentable surroundings, and so
every allowance is to be made for her.
Above all, there is Arthur's boy to be
considered.
Yes said Uncle Michael, that is
to be considered first of all
st is bad enough that she should
have the care of him, even while he is
so young" the lady went on; but when
he grows older, and begins to under
stand things, it would be dreadful for
him to think Of himself as the child of
a clearinghouse keeper, and not what
one would call a respectable lodging
house either-Wild young medical stud
ents who keep dreadful hours, and eld-
crly bachelors from Heaven knows
where; a dsrcputable untidy old person,
who takes snuff and keeps negro scrv-
ant"
You are mistaken. mamma Mar
garet said quietly; there is but one
medical student in the house-a sweet
tempered. simplc-hoarted gentleman; If
he were otherwise George Hyde would
not make a friend of him. As for the
elderly gentleman, just long to see
him. Mary literally loves him, and
baby is never happy out of his rooms,
and the negro scrvant-that is so absurd
he is a handsome creole or mulatto of
the lightcst brown. | wonder who could
have told you such thiIgs;'
II heard it from the servants. my
dear
servants. my dear mamma; You
know how they let their tongues run
away with them. ] should never speak
Of them AS reliable authorities.
Now d. not agree with sou there, "
Mr.. Allenby said. with u smile of kind
IL mmor at his niece. Il have found
that YOU generally can relic on the
statements of most servants. if you re
neat hose statements; hut You should
he an authority. as You are So frequent
" at the house. Still, rs your mother
correct, observes. it would never do to
let the l,;ie fellow grow up 10 think
himself the son Of Il lodg!ug-hous"
keeper; but the thing is, how can we
bring this obstinate young lady to rea-
SOM
IF there is no other way" Mrs, Al
lenby said. Il will see her myself She
will scarcely carry her ill-breeding so
far as to refuse to see her husbands
mother
Mary is not Inbred, my dear ma
ma" said Marcaret's tranquil voice;
but you would scarcely expect her to
overlook. or forget. our neglect of heI
for so many years. and be reconciled
Just when it suits us,
Her good-breedinG has not improy-
ed you, Mrs. Allenby said. with bit
terness she could not suppress. You
treat me with no respect. and contra
dict me at every word.
u I'm very sorry. Mamma" and the
girls Ups trembled; but you are under
a misapprehcnsion, and | like you to
know the truth. If You go you will be
received with courtesy, and after atime
you are sure to be good friends
what would you have Inc do?' and
the lady turned to her hrother-in-law
understand me that | do not know
whether shall ever learn to forgive OF
like this girl, and if | 90 il will only be
for the sake of Arthur's boy. OF course
| do not know what time may do. She
may be very lovable. Arthur found all
his happiness with her, and Margaret
is entirely taken by her, as you see
What would you have me do?'
Il think the old gentleman said
slowly, Il should go. 1t would be
very womanly and graceful thing to do
The kindness in such a concession
would not fail to bring its own reward
| You may learn to forgive and like eacl
other: in any case you will be dolnl
what is right, and that is always good
for it is SO easy TO go wrong, to let prld
and stubborn temper lead lis on, ste
by step, till it is too late to return"
| He spoke with some solemnity and
touch of sadness too as if he had som
such memory to repent. Mrs. Allenb
took her cue from that.
Twill GO" she said, tomorrow.
will not let her pride and stubborn ten
per lead me, step by step, into wron
until it is too late"
"Why not write first, or let Margare
inform her Of your intention? She wi
be prepared then, and in q better fran
of mind, perhaps"
81 will write, and Margaret can spea
to her as well. We will leave nothin
undone since you desire this reconcile
ton"
II do"
Mrs. Allenby wrote that evening, an
set the letter before him to read. Thel
was no fault to be found in it; the tor
was conciliatory and kind, though II
lady had not abated jot Of her dignit
Mary was wondering how to answer
when her eccentric ledger arrive'
though it was quite early in the morl
ing-so early that Mr.. Parker, who W;
standing at the window reading his pi
per while waiting for his breakfast, sa
the old gentleman alight from his ca
blue spectacles, govt, and all complet
and asked himself If he was beginnir
to have temporary attacks of insanit
Il would swear to the figure
said, land the carriage of the shoulde
when getting down from the cab; b.
| Than tha cont as had as aver ard tho