The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-12-13
CHApTER V.

Ten years had passed since Sir Raye
Wharf had adopted the boy whose genius
had seemed TO him TOO great To waste IN
solitude; and he often said TO himself that
! Heaven had rewarded him for what he in-
tended to be good deed. All over Eu-
rope the name Of Vane Wharf was well
| known. There was no country IN which
some of his gigantic enterprises had not
succeeded. Oi late years all the work
had fallen into his hands. Sir Kaye was
falling in health, and was paying the pen.
atty of too much brain-wOrk. BY degrees
! he put everything into the hands OF his
his young protege.
They were together one morning in the
pretty breah iast-room at Lulworth Hall,
| when the post-bag was brought in.
dread the letters, Vane," said Sir Raye.
He knew that in none of them would
; there be any secrets. The love Of woman
or child wouldneyer be and had new CT been
for him.
dread them, Vane," lie repeated.
| Vane obeyeu him. He waded through
/ . mass of espondence-letters in Ger
man, French, and Spanish. lie had spent
his leisure hours III tue study OF the mod
ern languages, and had succeeded so well
that he could write and converse in most
| OF them.
"a letter with n coronet," he said
"W HON can this be irolhE'
He opened it, ana read It., all uncon-
scious that he neld his fate in his own
hands.
"Lord Audley of Ulverscrott," he said.
"Why, Uttrscroft is IN Surrey, Sir Raye,
is it not"
ayes What does he WANT" asked Sir
Raye.
..The river Ulver runs through one part
| of his estate. 1T was not always deep OF
broad stream; but OF late it has deep
ened and widened considerably. He says
that the people used stepping-stones and
at times a small ferry-boat for crossing it;
but now those methods are not available.
He thinks il would add much to the value
Of his property if "A light, pretty, orna-
mental bridge were thrown across the
river. lie writes also that. owing to the
shifting sand in the bed of the river, he
thinks IL will be by no means easy OF eX-
ecution. He wishes you to 20 TO Ulvers-
croft Hall and spend week with him.
| Then YOU can see for yourself what 10
best"
strength is failing. You must 90 for me.
Write to Lord Audley, and tell him how
deeply | regret that ! cannot accept his
kind invitation, but that send su0sti-
tute in you."
doubtmlly. "Ilt seems To wish for yOu.'
ale must like it. could not so. l
have "a certain presenhmcnt that my work.
ing days are ended" said Sir Raye MOURN
fully. "Yane, Lord Audley will be de-
| lighted to have you in my place. Write
to him at once. You will enjoy q week at
Ulverscroft. 1t is Que Of the prettiest
places in England. 1 always said that at
some time or other there must be bridge
over the Ulver. 1t is a beautiful river,
and the bridge must be light one."
Vsne sat down, pencil in hand, to sketch
0 light beautiful structure that should yet
have soiidity enough to bear whole regi-
ment. 1t WAS interesting to watch the ra-
pidity OF his white fingers, the glow on his
face, and thu light In his eyes ~ his beau
tiful conception grew. He took the sketch
to his master when it was completed, and
almost wondered at the emotion In hs
face.
"You remind me Of Quentin Matsya"
said Sir Raye with 5 smile.
| But his pupil shrank from his words--
He liked nothing that reminded him Of his
origin. He had mixed In the highest soci-
ETY. and had been treated ~ an equal BY
the noblest in the land. He could not en-
durs 10 remember what his home and its
surrounoings were like. lie shrsnk With
sensitive horror from having his secret
known. To compare HIM 70 "Quenttn
Nstsys" Wa 70 remind him that his origin
va humble and Obscure. Yss, like the
tree sSsiss b was, 10 rsjoioeA In bic nae.
teri praise q The beautiful coacepstoo
sbat hsA grown under his hands