The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-04-11
M A D CAP;
% r.
THE STORY OF A SIN,

Ok HELEN u. MATiiERs.

WnaC can you eAptct OuU Ol EnSlttllti,
Master Frank"
Frank laughed, and his laugh was
something to remember, for its delight.
full ring, and the suggestions of happi
ness both to himself and others that il
unconsciously brought.
''And vet there are some fine sights
abroad, Job. as you would say, IL you
could see them"
''And you liked 'em so well you could
stay away these six years. said Jot
reproachfully.
''There was work to do" said Frank
the color rising to his face land this
was one of those traits that warmed
mems hearts to him. as showing that in
his mind still lurked the ingenuousness
of earlier years.. "a man does not run
away home when his comrades are fight.
ing; and L was wanted, job, and nearly
got my billet here" he added, laughing.
as he touched scar on his left temple
that gave earnestness to the almost boy.
ish beauty of his face.
$50 it wasn't bit of fOolishnesS that
kept you abroad all these years." cried
Job, triumphantly. Loves all very
we'll, but fighting's better; it warns the
said, it's the real work mans done
not the times he's made fool of him.
self to think of when he's got the blues.
and you'll have work enough to do about
the estate, without thinking of any love.
making this ever so long"
III leave that to the squire" said
Frank, laughing. us he as bad as everp'
1.-The squire has left the Hall,n said
Job, putting OH deceitful air of limo.
cence as he poured his master out CUP
of coffee. lies eating frogs this bless
ed minute, no doubt; though Pm much
mistook if Nancy of the Mill cottons
uOwn to 'em along with him."
1.-The old squire has left Lovel?" cried
Frank, pushing back. his plate.
ITO be sure" said job, with an elab-
crate appearance of unconcern; lit
must be nigh on five year and half ago
that the county folks made up their
minds that they couldn't stand Miss
Nancy, and So"
And so the Red Halls empty" ex-
claimed Lord Lovel, starting up from
his seat; land I've been thinking of
that old reprobate as holding his court
there, and setting bad example 10 the
neighborhOod-an influence that would
dwarf mine so hopelessly, job, that L
could make no way AGAINST it..
"Well-well," said Job deprecatingly,
''he were q rare bit Of human natur', to
be sure; and human natur's lively and
interestin', Master Frank. while the
Ten Commandments in the main is
dull"
''But they don't bring disgrace in
their train" said Frank, walking to the
window and looking out. "Who was it
you said was living at the Red Hall
now?"
''IIis son." said Job. in a tone of sus-
piciOus mildness, as he busted himself
about the table; she's been here for
years, and new order OF things it is
up yOnder-church and children. and
sweethearting-buta always with his own
wife; they ride by here often. and |
wonder how long it will last" added
Job. with a smile.
harrington Eyre is mdrried!' cried
Frank, advancing; "then what became
of-of-"
"Mr. harrington was killed in a duel"
said Job, inwardly marveling at his
masters Ignorance; Its young Mr..
Eyre that's living up at the Hall now"
Young Mr.. Eyre!'' cried Frank,
starting back as though bullet had
struck him-''old Mr.. Eyre, you mean,
and he is here-here-impossible!"
.'Well, he amt a chicken, to be sure"
said Job impartially, that's why I've
got some hopes of him yet; when folks
of his age takes moral turn, it gets
fixed into a sort of habit with EN-"
"Then he has turned over new leaf!'
exclaimed Frank invOluntarily.
''Lor, Master Frank, wonder if he
knows his own face in the glass, he's
that altered; he's a justice and magis-
trate, and Furnishes folks for being wick
ed instead of making 'em so, as he and
all the Eyres did afOre him. But it's
deadly dull in the village now." added
Job regretfully, ''or so the women say;
all the pretty chincks hereabOuts 60 un-
chueked, and if there's bit of beauty
growing up in the place, there amt q
soul in life to discover it,"
Would you have him as bad as his
father" burst out poor Frank in a rage,
and still pale with the shock of finding
Madcap living at his very gates.
WELL" said Job, in tone that be-
fitted his name, Il hope it may last; but
there's no reckoning on them Eyres;
and though he just dotes on her now
women clOy, even the best of 'em-God
almighty mostly makes 'em too sweet
or too sour, and there's few q man can
sup of every day and not wish for q
change once by whiles, Master Frank. :"
DuU bllt ldObcl pdlb VI JOD ulSStIGd-
tion was lost OH Frank, who escaped
through the open window, and was
striding down the central avenue as for
a wager.
This sudden knowledge of her near
ness for the moment Overcame hint
was as though picture he had been
gazing at from distance had stepped
out of its frame to stand beside him,
and he must take its fesh-and- blood
hand in his own, and change the like
ness of his face toward it for while i'm his
memory, and afar off, she was still his
sweet little Madcap, his tyrant, his love
here at his gates she was wife to
his friend only-his friend who had
stolen her from him, but who had made
her-happy.
He looked around him-that exquisite
sense of newness with which the old
country ever strikes US after long So
j0urn In burning chimes, gradually stole
upon and soothed him; and the pride in
his own soil, that every true man knows,
awoke and prompted thoughts Of an ex-
istence apart from love. With sudden
backward movement Of tho shoulders,
as though he shook some weight from
them, he stood for moment to watch
the woven dazzle of light and shadow
above-a shaft of sunlight fell full on
the young, beautiful face, refined al
most to sternness by its absorption of