Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-03-07

III ue Ddu hIOWU Ulll lOT years.
Cinci did not go, his master told him
TO stay and look after the boy, threaten
ing him with dire pains and penalties
should anything go wrong.
And he is to have the run OF my
rooms as playground" the old gentle
man said Let him make as much
noise as he likes. Mary, my dear, the
next time you see me you will very like
ly see your Uncle Michael as well. /
may not return for two or three days,
but do not be afraid; Mr. Hyde will
take care Of me, for your sake"
II am sure he will" said Mary, In
nocently.
For she had no idea Of anything but
the most pure, frank friendship for her
husbands old companion, but the first
idea came when she saw the self-con-
scious change in Georges face; and she
was not little troubled. Could she
have been mistaken in thinking he was
engaged to Miss Allenbyp and did he
care for her in way that was more
than brotherly? Mary took that posi-
bility into her mind with sweet sense
of surprise and pleasure, not unattend-
ed by pain. Their relationship, so far,
had been 80 entirely confidential and
unsellish, any change would throw a re-
straint upon 1t, however it might end.
Mary had grown very fond OF Mr..
Barker; of course, her child's love for
the singular old gentleman was direct
passport to her heart; but it was not
that alone. She found herself hoping
that Uncle Michael would be like him
1. u In,
80 well by this time; his terrific treat
ment of poor Mr.. Parker only. amused
her now, and she told that young dis
cipe of Galen not to mind him.
But he has such dreadful voice.
Mr. Parker urged. II have heard say
the human voice will brighten lion,
and | am not n lion, but it frightens
me-"
think he knows that said Mary,
with smile, take my advice, Mr..
Parker, the next time he roars at you,
roar at him.
80 | will responded Mr.. Parker,
inspired with extra courage by the old
gentleman's absence, 1.-The very next
time. Upon my word, my dear Mrs.
Allenby. he nearly frightened me out
OF an examinations.
Mr.. Barker did not return within two
or three days, butQn the morning after
his departure for Southampton Mary
had letter from George. Uncle Michael
was man after his own heart, George
told her. and not very much unlike Mr..
Barker And you need not expect
him just yet" DIR. Hyde added. HE
knows great many people in London,
business and otherwise, and | daresay
he will remain few days with his sis
ter-in-law, the other Mrs. Alienby, in
Orthorpe Square. lie knows am writ
ing to you, so does Mr.. Barker. Uncle
Michael sends you his love. Mr.. Bark
er tells YOU to take care Of the boy; he
is immensely fond of the boy though l
do not think it means a corner in his
will--he is not man of that sort.
Nothing had been further from Mary 5
thoughts, and she felt indignant at the
suggestion.
II think" said Georges letter, in
conclusion. "the other Mrs. Allenby
will be rather sorry for her conduct to
you. Uncle Michael knows everything
from Mr.. Barker. and has asked NE a
number Of questions. | could only an
swer rs ! know, apart from it as mat
ter OF right or wrong
Mary was not inclined to care what
Uncle Michael might think OF it as a
matter of right or wrong. She had TAX
en- her own independent way from the
beginning, and was prepared to accept
the consequence now. She did not want
anything from Uncle Michael Mary
told herself and the lady in Orthorpe
Square WAS sure to set him against her
in spite Of Mr.. Barker.
But the lady in Orthorpa Square was
in sore trihuat!on. Writing from
Southampton, Michael Alirnby had, in
second letter, made close and particu-
'ar inquiries as to .Arthuv's wife. He
had met friend, he said, who knew
the young doctor very we'll indeed, and
heard from him that Arthur had left,
ct only Il widow, hut Child.
"You have never mentioned this IN
your letters to me. :" Mr.. Allenby wrote,
and doubtless you had your reasons
for it. But knowing how fond was of
the lad you might lave informed me
on point which was sure to be OF vital
interest to Inc. | am glad, however,
that he left them III such good hands as
yours, otherwise the poor girl might
have had to work for her own living.
and work in any shape would be dis
creditable to proud and wealthy name
like ours
And what will he think, the state
II lady asked of her daughters, when
he hears she iskeepinga clearinghouse:
Who can have told him anything about
her.
1T is too late TO think of that now
ner eldest daughter replied. There is
nothing to be done, unless you like &c
go aud beg her pardon; ask her to clos
her house, and bring herself and t.lt
baby here. as if this had been her home
from the lirst.'
Mary would not do it," said hel
Younger sister Margaret; she was toe
deeply offended, and no wonder. Mary
could never be hypocrite-she would
not do anything for money, and we have
not been kind enough to make her do il
for love"
Mrs. Allenby saw thu force of this
She was determined woman and il
her way proud one. She. herself. hat
thought 0t SOME Sucn lnlllg us lltI
daughter Victoria suggested, though
the suggestion was made in irony. hu
she had tried Mary's patient, unyield
ing disposition before and always failet
in the contest; there was nothing for /
but to stand her ground.
Il wish the girl was dead, she said
bitterly. Il wish she had died befor
Arthur ever saw her, she had beggar
| " old father, too. They We're nothin;
but paupers and pensioners on Arthur
generosity. She tricked him into mar
riage with her pretty face and pensiv
manners, and now, if your uncle say
her and heard her story, he would thinl
we had ill-used her. What right hat
she to keep my sons boy from me-"
She is bis mother Margaret said
quietly.
Il was Arthur's mother" was the re