The Dillon tribune., 1885-06-06

nothing more. Her family was what is
called respectable-a term, the Specification
OF which no man or woman has al yet been
able exactly to define. Like the Bible, We in.
terpret it as we choose.
When the inforced meeting between Lady
Clauson and her stepdaughter took place, the
young lady, by means Of those signs and
tokens, the masonry Of which women alone
fully comprehend, showed the state Of her
mind SO clearly that war to the knife was
then and thero declared.
And civil war In families-.,aronets or
otherwise-is a deplorahle thing: doubly de-
plorable for tho neutral parties, who lack
tho excitement of the internerine combat.
For while Sir Maingay's life was anything
but u happy one.
1t matters little who was most to blame.
the girl for her unreasonableness and stub
born spirit and want of resignation to the
inevitable-Lady Clauson for retaliating
with all an injured wonlan's pettiness
md spite-Sir Maingay for the thoroughly
r.an-like conduct in letting things drift.
rhey did drift with vengeance! Tho
breach between the two ladies soon became
enormous to be bridged over by any
aally diplomatic engineering.
ha slir,lishes between the belligerents are
not worth noticing The battle-royal was
fought when the time came for Miss Clauson
t, be presented. Lady Clauson asserted that
le was the proper person to present her step
aughter. Beatrice coldly declined her aid,
Ter ladyship insisted; her stepdaughter was
rm in her refusal. Sir Maingay declared,
lillsef under his wifes banner, and for once
attempted to exercise parental authority
Whereupon Miss Clauson cut the matter
short, and declined being presented at all. 1t
was most dreadful state of affairs! You
can, at least, drive horse to the water, even
| if you can't make him drink; but you dare
not haul u refractory young woman into the
preA nee OF gracious sovereign.
Lady Clauson, who was rigidly exact in
| following the prescribed usages of society.
may not have been far wrong when she de-
cared that "a baronet's daughter, who re-
fused to be presented, was-well, mon-
strcsity'
Sir Maingay began to wish his ancestors
aad not separated themselves from the
Roman Catholic communion. He could have
sent his daughter to nunnery. But then,
he sadly reflected, she wouldn't have gone ut
any price. II put there by force, the Pro-
testant league would soon have her out, and
perhaps take her round the country sl,o,lting.
The only thing the worried baronet could
l
"r advice rs to the best means Of disposiug
u her troublesome self.
When alone with her father Beatrice always
oehaved prcttily. She was very fond of him,
although the remembrance of the tears, the
ext tho distracted VOWS, when contrastetl
nth his second marriage for nothing but
good looks, made her look upon him with q
little contempt. She did not know that man
S SO gregarious creature that it is not meet
or him to live alone She heard his remarks
ia silence, then gave him her opinion on the
natter
~ don't want to be nuisance to you,
Apa. l am eighteen now-too old to go buck
o school, It's nonsense, OF course, to say
loud like to earn my own living, because
hen COME of age shall have some money
Lay go and live at Fairholme!'
Fairholme was Sir Maingay's seldom-used
s,at in one Of the southern counties.
but you can't live there alone, "he said.
eyes, I could. Mrs. Williams could taks
,are of me. shall be happy enough"
my dear girl why not he reasonable and
make friends with Lady Clauson! Then ".
:oull all go abroad together"
Lady Clauson, who was by no means fool
.la,l by this time found out that she needed
something more than mere good looks to gt
own, or go up, in the society her heart longeG
.or She had, therefore, made up her mind t.
become q travelled woman, and had arranged
that Sir Maingay should take her to a variety
Of foreign countries The proposed tour wa!
% be an affair of years, and her ladyship hat
!. ...!im idea of writing, or Of getting some on,
use to writea u book, describing the well-worl
pathways she meant to tread. She hoped tt
take the world by storm Us Il literary woman
Il can't go abroad with you," said Beatrice
IL hall be miserable myself ami make yo,
miserable"
'But if you stay in England you must b
presented and come out and all that sort O
thing"
IF ever do get marriel," said Beatric
tlrily, II will be presented Us Lady Clausol
was, Oh my marriage
Sir Main.ay's cheek rtsldened. He wa
much hurt by the sarcasm. Poor Old k,"'
Lear found a fitting siinile for an unyratel,!
child, but tho sharpness of Il sarcastic chill.
is moro painful than = whole lawful OF Sc,
p.nt's tc"th. He did not reply; but til
worthy barcnet was at his wits end. Whl
could he do with this girl: Ho had very f"v
rcla, ioEs-he cared for mono OF them. Oh
Mr.. Talhe,t, of Hazlewood Ho,l>c, was q con
ti:Inel invalid; Horace AMI Herbert w'',
men without homes or wives Sir Ma:ny3
was willing enough tlmt Beatrice should II
main in England. i!e Lad suffered nurl
during the last few months from tho dis-cli
sions of his wife and daughter. But whrr
to bcstow Beatrice:
At last he remembered all aunt Of his ow,
who lived III quiet retirement in on" or til
suburbs Of London. 1t was OF course ub,ur,
Tor Beatrice t. think OF living at Fairhon.r
in lEAlf-clo,tsl house with ho,,sckr.pnr am
o." or two servants. SO it was arranged tia
.lcr great-alult should take her while 81
Maingay and Lady Clauson We're on the Ton
,incnt. So to Mrs. Erskine's she w,Hlt, .,,nl
| q that la. ~ old a:elx Ll4ai ls.l