The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-27
{ was Herbert who, while Horace expos-li.


evidence. This gave rise to impertnence ant
IA months warning, given in the most dig
nifed and calm way by her masters,
They decided to engage an older and staidc
body, and being perhaps rather crestiallen al
lowed Miss Clauson to have voice in tn
matter. One morning q quiet looking, pale
faced woman waited upon them She hearc
that nurse was wanted and offered her serv
ices Character she had none to give hav
ing been out Of service for some years; tu
plenty of people would speak for her respect
ability The Talberts were much taken with
her general demeanor; but hummed unC
hawe,i when they found she did not come rcd
hot from place Horace examined her ut
tentively through his eye-glass.
Haven't l seen you before" he asked.
ayes, sir, j lived many years ago with
Mr. Merton, OF Cavendish square. You were
often mt tho house"
She said her name was Miller, and that she
was n widow. She spoke well, and in that re-
spectfu) but not servile, way which the Tai
berts liked. II they could bring themselves
TO get over tite absence OF credentials, and
deny themselves the pleasure OF calling on
and cross-examining former mistress, they
thought this woman might do.
|
such inquiries as could be made being an
swered satisfactorily, Mrs. Miller WAS in
stalled in the place of the frail failure whose
escapads with the gardener had lowered the
whole moral tone of the establishment A
! gildy girl in bachelors establishment
means destruction.
But Mrs. Miller was very different mat
! ter Miss Clauson found her perfection
| 80. ~. 4
over, quite qualified to fulfil tho duties Of
lady's maid when occasion required. Whit
taker approved of her She was a coadjutor
after his own respectable heart. The first one
to be considered, the boy, took to her as read
| lily rs he had taken to Beatrice. Horace and
Herbert, in spite Of the sharp lookout they
kept for while, could find no flaw in her
conduct and when Mt the end of two months
| they aSCertained that She had used less soap
! four cakes less than her predecessor had dur
| ing her short stay, they began to think they
had acquired treasure.
For the child looks as clean as ever" said
| Herbert to Horace 81 always felt sure that
| girl left the soap in the hot water and forgot
all about il b."
The lasr winter months and the spring
months passed very quietly ut Hazlewood
House. The Talberts and their niece dined
occasionally with the best families in the
neighborhood, aud in return the Talberts
tsked tho best families to dine with them. The
'even days wonder about the boy had almost
lied away. Everyone, of course, felt sure he
was somebody but no one knew what body.
II there was any scandal the serene brothers
heard it not It's true that old Lady Bowker,
, very important parsonage, paid them visit
IN purpose to find out all about everything.
She had known the Talberts as boys so felt
untitled to ask them point blank for an explain
alton. People who have known you us a
hoy are, as a rule, great nuisances.
She told them she wanted to speak to them
On private business so Beatrice left the room
Then she turned from ono to the other of the
grave long faced men:
Snow, Horace; now, Herbert, what is the
meaning OF this affair. Who is the boy you
are making such fuss aboutp
81 don't think we ever make fuses, said
Herbert in a deprecating way.
Certainly not, said Horace, with decision
"Well, mysteries then; we all want to know
who this child really is-the child who came
in the dead Of night wrapped up in an anti
macassar or something-calne by PickfordS
van, am told"
II wish you could tell us, Lady Bowksr.
We know no more than you do
'''rhat'S all nonsense, Horace. / hear you
have engaged a nurse, and that the child is Ia
stay with you. ] think you are most incon-
siderateh
"We are never inconsiderate,' said Horace
"Certainly not, said his brother.
"Yes, YOU are You are inconsiderate in
not letting at leaSt one safe, discreet person
into the secret Some one like myself who
could vouch for you"
1--WE don't want to be vouched for"
Eyes, you do don't see that you are any
better than other people"
Lady Bowker was growing cross at their
mild ohstinacy.
"You are most inconsiderate towards Miss
Clauson. Here, week after she comes TO
live with you, this infant makes its appear
ance or course people say you were only
waiting until there was Al lady ut Lakewood
House to look after him."
''They say that, do they" asked Horace,
reflectively.
"What else can they say' I don't say 50;
but then ! have known you SO long. / say
that you hive some excellent reason for keep
ing this child; but you ought to tell one per-
son at least who he really is"
"But We don't know"
eyes, you do. Now tell me, like good
men"
They repeated their simple statement, add
ing that the child was kept by Beatrice's ex
press wish, also because they hoped tho
mystery would one day be solved; and be-
cause they themselves felt friendly dispoai-
ton toward the little waif.
II don't believe a word Of it," said Lady
Bowker rudely, and rising to 80. The brothers
smiled calmly.
"You will only have yourselves to blame for
the scandal continued their visitor. Still
they smiled.
''Dear Lady Bowler said Horace, soft
", Twill you still ask Us TO dinner occasion
allyr
''Of course shall"
"And still honor Hardwood House with
your presence"
"Yes-when you ask me-"
"1ben," said Horace, 1--WE feel we can hold
our own against the world"
Lady Bowker drove away in thorough
bad temper, but feeling more certain than
ever that the child was somebody. Indeed,
she managed to convey to most people the
impression that she was in the secret.