The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-08-01

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my dear Beatrice,n said Horace, "for
Heavens sake be reosoo aHe.'
"--cs, Beatrice l an sure you must see it, u
So d Herbert.
II Miss Clauson was misguided enough not
to see the ab5urdity and impossibili:y of tn,
course she wished her uncles to take, | am
sure she stands alone in her darkness. Horace
and Herbert hailed before the county justices,
charged by a purveyor Of pork named
Rawlings with unlawfully OBTAINING the
said purveyor's son and heir, would have
made not only the hair Of Oakbury, hut also
the hair Of a portion Of Blacktown stand on
end. Think how the families Of position
would have laughed Think how annoyed
and bitter the wiseacres who were sure the
child was somebody" would have felt when
the lowly paIentage was revealed! And even
if Mr.. Rawlings failed to substantiate his
claim there would be scandal. People would
ask why the Talberts were so anxious to keep
possession of this little stranger. Beatrice's
strange fancy for the boy would not lie sui.
ficient explanation. The Talberts knew the
world and its pettiness and wicked tongue.
Once they had braved it in Difference to a
within of Bea.rice's, but the matter was now
far too serious to take girls whim into &C.
count. They saw that one course only was
open to them. When Mr. Rawlings carriage
came to their door little Harry must forth.
with be placed in it.
But Miss Clauson still continued unreason-
able. She even returned to the attack. Il do
not see it at all, she said. IF this man laid
claim to one of your fields you would not
give it up"
"A field does not arrive Unexpectedly in
the middle of the night" said Hora le-not
hulnorously, but as one who states a simple
fact.
Take better smile, my DEAR" said Her.
bert. Suppose you picked up a sovereign
in the street and a man came up and swore
it was his. Although you might have every
reason to doubt his assertion YOU would,
am sure, giveit up il order toavoid unseemly
dispute"
II don't think should" said Beatrice,
defiantly.
'Oh, yes, my dear you would" sill E,r.
ace. gravely.
II am sure OF it," added Herbert.
Beatrice did not pursue Herbert's inge ,ious
argument further. "Nothing-no entreaty
of mine will make you change your m!ndsI'
she asked. The brothers shook their Leads
sadly. 1t was painful to them to refuse her
request, but their grave eyes looked into the
distance and saw all the horrors which they
imagined a contest with Mr.. Rawlings would
arouse. Beatrice knew that any further
appeal would be waste Of breath. IL must
90 and think" size said, YEARLY, rs she
turned away from the arpiters of Ia, boys
fate.
Il may say" said Horace with a slight
blush ca lis cheek, that we both regret tie
necessity of this surrender. As rule we
are not fond CT children, but your lit.le
friend has been very COOL, and had il en-
possible We would willingly have Civ him
house room until his future was assured
Beatrice took his hand and pressed it.
''Thank you, she said, gratefully. Then she
passed through the door which Herbert held
open, an act of politeness which not even the
relationship Of uncle and niece or tie pro-
verbal contempt bred by familiarity al
lowed the Talberts to forget.
The brothers resumed their seats, and for
q while silence reigned. The truth is they
felt angry and annoyed, perhaps even self.
reproachful. impossible as it was that Mr..
Rawlings claims could he contested, both
Horace and Herbert felt a sense Of shame
natural to any Englishman who finds himself
compelled to yield by mere threat The
wish to fight everything out to the bitter end
made England what 1t is Perhaps, after
all, when they came to think Of it, the
Talberts were fonder Of the child than they
cared to own. At any rate, after long
brown study, Herbert, at least, showed signs
Of wavering.
II suppose, he asked, as one seeking for
information, sit would be or: Of the question
for us to do as Beatrice wishesf'
Horace was equal to the occasion. "Quits
out Of question" no answered sternly. 1--WE
should be placed in ridiculous position and
become the jest Of the county"
They shuddered visibly at the thought and
so far as the Talberts were concerned the
boys fate was settled. To become the Jest
Of the county is too terriblei Country wit,
rs We all know, il SO delicate, yet 80 sharp
and pointed!
With minds i'll at ease they sought dis
traction in their housekeeping. Although -
. rule the "Tabbies" were just, If cheese
pairing, in their management-not unreason-
able, If exacting, in their requirements, to-
day they drove the cook and poor Whit
taker almost frantic, and set both wondering
whatever the masters were going to get to-"
In the meantime Beatrice had carried her
white face to her own room. She locked the
door, threw herself upon couch, where for
long time she sat with her hands pressed
against her browS She did not weep, nor
was her look that Of one r.sign;ug herself to