The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-11-29
LOVE CONQUERS.
ny The AUTHOR OF "DORA THoRNk,
"a ROSE IN THORNs,' ETC.
CHAPTER L.

-,th vork weary of the busy city and OF
the .rduo,is labor that had once been the
keenest delight OF his life. lie had never
snsred himself; he had lsbored with hand
and with brain from early morning until
late at mint. and had never remembered
that the time must como when brain ana
hand would both tire. He worked entire
" for love of his work. He had no wire
IN share his bonors and riches, no children
to inherit them, and he was quite alone In
the world. When friends asked him why
he worked so hard, having neither wite
nor child, kith nor kin, his answer was ai'
ways
"For the love Of it,"
He had amsssed a large fortune, and had
purchased o magnificent estate calied hui-
worth, near the pretty town OF TOT bea-
con, In Surrey. He had successfully con-
Quoted q great engineering feat, having
built 4 bridge over one OF the swiitest riv-
srs and broadcast streams la England. IL
had been a gigantic undertaking, on
which the ewes of scientific men had been
fixed with eager attention, for the river
deepeped and sbroadened until IL was
neither moro nor less than the arm oil the
sea, with a strong tide ebbing ana moving;
and the bridge had to be built where the
stream was widest. Sceptics had refused
TO believe 1t was possible; but Sir Kaye
smiled and said there was no feat SO uiih-
cult but that time and patience could ac-
c0mplish it.
What obstacles he metwith, what diff
culties he Overcame, what remarkable tai
ent he displayed, what energy ana re-
source, were topics, that were discussed
almost daily.
A royal parsonage went to open the
bridge, and commended it rs one OF the
greatest works of the age. The Queen
knighted the engineer and spoke words OF
praise that almost brought tears TO his
eyes; aud the world Of science ana art
and fashion did homage to him.
And now life seemed suddenly to col
lapse: his brain WAS tired, aud he could
not work. The world seemed all ut once
to have grown empty; and he sat with
aching head and with slowly beating heart,
wondering what had come over him, what
was the matter, and why life had changed
and gone wrong. Grave-faced doctors
came TO him and told him that he must
rest. He smiled ~ he heard the world
II he went to Lulworth Hall the princely
residence which he had purchased, there
would be no rest. People would come to
see him; he would be compelled to enter
tain and visit; and he did not feel equal
~ either.
"If were In your place, Sir Raye,"
said the first dOctor-onc OF the most SKILL
full professional men In LondOn--s'i should
leave all care behind me, and go to some
quiet farmhouse, fur In the heart OF the
country, and really rest from everything
Spend your time in the fields, and listen
to nothing save the songs Of BIRDS
Sir Kaye saw reason in the advice, and
complied with it. Fate led linn to the
pretty country town OF HOLLYWOOD, III Kent,
and he found lodgings In small neat
farmhouse near there. Every care was
lett behind, aud he gave himself up to the
fun enjoyment OF u sleepy country life,
which was SO unlike the other lie he had
led.
Meadow Farm was an old-iashioned
house, built of gray stone, and covered
with trailing roses, large White Jessa-
mine almost hiding the porch from view.
The farm looked most picturesque, with
It's rich meadow-land, its green foliage, its
clear pools where the cattle drank, its cUrn-
fields aud stacks ol hay.
On lovely June day Sir Raye Wharf
the meadows, lost in admiration, his heart
warmer than it had been since he kneit at
his mothers knee; for there was some
thing in the blue sky, in the sweet fresh
breath OF the wind, in the joyous song of
the a.rds, Ia the odorS that arose from the
leaves and flowers, that sent his thoughts
10 Heaven, and left him like simple child
before the great open heart Of Nature.
i. L.. ts.ss.. Il
before him was field after field, until the
green grass resembed great green sea.
In the midst of the verdant eXpanse golden
buttercups aud white daisies gIcamed.--
He had forgotten his busy lie, with its
cares aud troubles, and his heart was AZ
peace under the smile of the summer
heavens. A lark rose suddenly aud scared
higher aud higher In the air until lost to
sight, leaving an echo Of song behind 1t;
on the biackthorn near him the thrush be-
gan its sweet music; rabbits peeped from
the green banks, and group ol rnsy-laceu
children crossed the meadow, laden with
flowers. He watched them all with the
eye Of an artist. Then he saw nerd oil
cattle going to one of the clear bright pools
To drink, and he slowly followed thrm.-
The pool at the end Of the meadow was
called the meadow Ibat, ava t,I'i' nc
saw something that interested him far
more than the COWS.
A fsir-haired boy, with asweet thought
ful face, Was trying to launch little toy
steamer, and make II keep steady in the
water. A memory of the deep rushing
river, the strong tides, and the fierce
winds that did their best to destroy his
bridge came over him as he watched the
boy. The steamer would not keep steady.
j: leaned first on one side, then on the
other; and the boy with infinite patience,
took 1t from the water, time after time,
but could not remedy the defect.
The man understood the patient strug-
gle with difficulties, and he went to
where the boy knelt among the long lush
grsS.
"Did you make the little boat YOURSELF"
hs asked
The boys lace colored - he answered
"Yes."
ssLet mo look Ut It," said Dir Raye.
The wet boat WAS placed In his hand.
.suppOse we see where the defect lies.
HAat 10 your Inner"