The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-20

! AFTER q WDlIs SlT MHlilBdV HlIilpSV ioi bOt
he had daughter. The Clausons settled
down to continental life for an indefinite
time. Lady Clauson knew she was improv-
| ing herself, and moreover, that Sir Maingay
was saving enough money to refurnish the
town house from top to bottom whenever
they did return to England In the course of
tho four years spent abroad, Lady Clnuson
! rectified her predecessor sins of omission,
and gave her devoted husband two fine boy.
babies In the revived delights Of paternity
"a paternity which is SO especially dear to
middle age-Sir Maingay thought little OF
the troublesome, obstinate girl he had left in
England. His wife and his boys all but
turned her out Of his heart. SO here was
Beatrice in the extraordinary position Of
being baronets daughter with scarcely u
friend in the world.
At last the Clausons returned to England
Whether her ladyship wrote her book or not
is a matter Of uncertainty; anyway, it was
never published. Beatrice made no objection
to rejoining the family circle. Her father
and his wife found her greatly changed. She
was quieter, more reserved, more amenable
to reason. It seemed to Sir Maingay that she
had passed her time at Mrs. Erskine's in study.
The learning she had acquired almost fright
ened the baronet; but he was glad to see she
had grown into a beautiful woman, and so
he felt quite proud Of his neglected daughter,
and hoped that things would for the future
run smoothly.
His hopes were vain. This time there was
no doubt as to with whom the fault lay, A
beauty like Lady Clauson could not endure
tho constant presence OF a younger, fresher
and even more beautiful beauty. She was
also jealous at the way in which her own chill
dren took to Beatrice. Besides, she had never
forgiven the girl. Relations soon grew
strained, and towards the end OF the year
Beatrice wrote to her uncles, and asked il
they would give her home.
She was now nearly twenty three. Having
when she came Of age succeeded to her late
mothers third Of old Talbert's possessions, she
was Independent both by age and by income.
She was willing to live at Lakewood House, II
her uncles would take her. II not, she re-
solved to start an establishment Of her own.
She was still in her former anomalous posi-
tion-a baronets daughter who had never
made proper entrance into society. As Lady
Clauson said, She must have been a wrong
| minded young woman, as this omission
seemed to trouble her very little.
Tho Talberts who liked tho little they had
seen Of their niece went into solemn conclave
ON the request. They decided, in the event Of
Sir Maingay giving his consent-on that point
they were most exacting-she might come to
them. Sir Maingay raised no objections, so
Beatrice Clauson came to Lakewood House,
where since her arrival, about a week ago,
she had lived in state Of amused wonder as
| the amiable pec,hiarities Of the "Tabbies"
gradually revealed themselves to her.
She had, of course, intended To make herself
useful to her uncles. 1t may have been the
| want of some occupation other than study
| which made her turn her eyes to Hardwood
! House and the two bachelors. She was no
longer schoolgirl, so at once broadly limited
that she was willing to regulate their house
| hold matters. The silent horror with which
the proposal was received told her at once that
| her place was to be q sinecure. She saw that
her uncles would on no account dream OF in.
| trusting their researches into domestic econ
omy TO any hands save their own, and the sur.
passing capability Of those hands was deeply
impressed upon her when, the day after her
arrival, she found Uncle Horace bending over
the maid who did the plain sewing, and in tbS
patientest and gravest way teaching her the
most approved fashion Of handling u needle
and thread.
After having lived at Hardwood House fol
a week Miss Clauson must have been ready &c
welcome any event Of interest. It is no won
der that when Horace Talbert, at Mr.. Nor
dies suggestion, walked into the drawing
room and told his niece what had happened
| her curiosity and excitement rose 10 a high
pitch
.Is it a pretty child n she asked
| sWopdarfuIly so Morfila md Herbert arr
petting it like couple OF women"
Beatrice did not run at once to see for her
self. 'what do you mean to do about it
uncle Horace" she asked.
II don't know. suppose we must keep Il
till tomorrow and sse IL the mystery Is eS