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

the Chlld on her arm.
washed him and dressed him, cOmbed his hair
into wavy mass Of FURNISHED gold, and so
brought him to the breakfast table fresh and
sweet as a rose in June She placed him on
chair beside her, by the aid of sundry cushions
raising him up to proper level. Having adj
justed him to her satisfaction, she ordered
bread and milk to be prepared.
The Talberts made no objection to Beatrice's
proceedings, although they fancied the child
would have been sent to breakfast with the
servants Being anxious to see him by day
light, they screwed their eyeglasses in place,
and once more infinitely inspected their
sturdy little visitor. Even Uncle Horace
nodded approval of his bonny looks and fear
less bearing, whilst Herbert joined Beatrice
in petting him.
The boy seemed happy enough in his new
quarters. 1t is indeed sad thing to remark
how soon n child forgets its mother. He
cries because he misses warmth, food or COM
fort-not on account of the absence of the
being who has lavished oceans of love upon
him.
This particular baby, having been so cruel
" deserted, may perhaps be excused for
making the best of his changed circumstances
and laughing merrily when called upon so to
do; but other babies cannot be absolved from
the sin Of callous Indifference and non-recip-
rocation of love.
Beatrice having ascertained that no news
had arrived, said nothing that bore upon her
startling suggestion of last night. Perhaps
she saw that the bright, saucy child interested
and amused her uncles; so, with the diplo-
matte gifts natural to her sex, judged 1t better
to let the matter rest for a while. As soon as
breakfast was over she led the child away,
and spent the remainder Of tho day playing
with and petting him to her hearts content.
1t really seemed as II Miss Clauson had found
new interest in life.
And, TO tell the truth, she was q young
woman who appeared to want something to
arouse her. She was now, at the age OF
twenty-five. very different from the girl who
80 hastily threw down the glove to her step
mother Her quietness and undemonstrative
manner, Of which the Talberts so much ap-
proved, seemed scarcely natural to girl with
beauty, rank and riches. For, indeed, she
was beautiful. If her face showed no color,
its healthy pallor was more attractive to
right-minded man than all the rosy cheeks
that ever existed. Her brown hair grew In
great masses, and low down on her well-shaped
forehead. Her eyes were gray-a strange,
wonderful gray-so deep In shade that most
people would have called her dark-eyed. Her
features were perfectly straight. Her face
was oval. Her lips were just full enough to
make her apathetic demeanor seem inconsist-
emit with the dogmas Of physiognomy.
Beatrice Clauson was, in fact, feminine,
toned down edition Of the Talberts The char
acteristics which were with them exaggerated,
with her were reproduced in exactly the right
proportions. Their faces were elongated
ovals-her face was proper oval. Their noses
were straight, but too long-her nose was
| straight, and Just long enough. They were,
| il anything, too tall-she was only tall enough
to be called fine girl Miss Clauson's per
sonal appearance was living proof OF how
| fitting had been the alliance between Sir
Maingay Clauson and old Talbert's daughter.
| The first Lady Clauson had been the counter
part of her brothers Sir Maingay was short,
round faced and rather round bodied. With
Beatrice, the blemishes which had detracted
from her parents good looks reappeared a
| beauties.
l. Moreover, she had that air Of distinction
| upon the possession OF which the Talberts not
unjustly prided themselves They were glad
! to think it came to her from their side of the