The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-07-11

Mr.. Carruthers, in his attempted study OF
Beatriccs disposition, found it very hard tO
hit upon the word which would, SO far as h,
as yet knew, describe its chief characteristics
That strong element of sadness was mixed
up in it he felt sure. 1t was just possible that
this was introduced by the unfortunate diff
ferences between herself and her father. Hay
ing learnt that she had been guest at Oak
bury for eight months he was shrewd enough
to make a pretty correct guess at the true
state Of affairs. But there was more than sad
ness to account for. There was apathy. How
ever the Talberts viewed it-whatever high
bred charm they fancied was vouchsafed tc
Miss Clauson by the bestowal of that reserved
calm manner of hers, Frank knew its true
nature was apathetic. 1tsecmel strange that
an intellectual girl like this had no desire, or
no revealed desire, in life-noambition, social
or otherwise, From the very first he judged
her character by a high standard-quite "a
high as that by which he judged her beauty.
AS their intercourse grew more familiar he
found he had no reason to abate either. Nat
urally, Frank Carruthers, fellow of - col
lege, Oxford, was clever man, and after
taking so much trouble about the matter,
should have been able to sum up weak
woman character correctly.
So, after great deal Of reasoning he came
to the conclusion that he had found the word
to suit her Beatrice was morbid. Every one
knows that the best cure for morbidneSs is tc
awaken the patients interest in his or her fel.
low-creatures-in even one fellow-creature
will sometimes do
Therefore, it was very kind Of DR.. Carru.
theirs, after such an exhaustive diagnosis, to
set about endeavoring to effect cure. A
good action will sometimes bring its own re-
ward.
His view of the case was greatly strength.
ened by noticing that Beatrice never ap-
peared to better advantage than when she
had her little boy with her. 1t was the in.
terest she cook in this tiny fellow-creature
which made her for the time display those
qualities which all unmarried men, with
right ideas, SO eXalt in communication,
kindness and forbearance with children.
Single men, if they are good and poetical-
synonymous terms, l hope-are apt to think
that woman never looks more charming
than when she has a child or children with
her. Sometimes, after marriage, they have
been known to express wish that the asso-
citation need not be so eternal.
But although Mr. Carruthers decided that
Beatrice was morbid, he had still to account
for the appearance of the disease in mental
constitution which ought to have been the
last to have succumbed to it.
The more he tried to account for it the
more he was forced to accept, "a the primary
cause, one thing-a thing, even in these early
DAYS, most unpleasant and unpaiatable to
him. But he could not ignore the fact that
Young ladies who are victims to what Is
called an unfortunate attachment do some
times grow morbid and try to make their
friends believe that life for them is at an end
so one evening, shortly after his arrival at
Hardwood House, Frank asked his hosts, of
course in the most casual, disinterested way,
many leading questions about Miss Clauson-
why she was not married, or at least en-
gagged, and SO forth. The Talberts returned
their old answer that it was time she thought
about it, but perhaps she took after them
selves, and was not of a marrying DISPOSE
ton. This Mr.. Carruthers ventured to doubt.
'She may have been disappointed in love"
he said, careleSsly. All tho same he refilsd
from the claret jug the glass from which be
had been drinking 1S47 port.
MY dear Frank" said Horace, with grave
dignity, Miss Clauson would never permit
such thing to happen"
Certainly not, said Herbert.
"Permit what Permit herself to fall in
/ lover
"No; permit herself to be disappointed in
| love- She is far too-too well bred for such
/ thing to occur. When she makes her choice
| it will be one of which we all approve; SC
disappointment is out of the question"
That's highly satisfactory" said Frank.
"a well regulated young woman is the no
! blest work of -well, of modern times"
They were by now getting accustomed &c
him, and although rather shocked at Bea-
trice's being called young woman did not
show il.
Then her choice is not yet nader con.
tinued Frank.
Not to our knowledge, and, l may add,
not TO Sir Maingay'sn
Mr.. Carruthers asked no more questions.
He strolled out into the garden and talked
quietly to Miss Clauson until the stars showed
themselves in the sky.
Having ascertained that Miss ClauSon wa:
under the charge of no other amateur doc.
tor, Mr.. Carruthers could, of course, set about
curing her disease without any fear of out
raging pro sSsional etiquette.