The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-08-01
A FAMILY AFFAIR.
By HUGH CONWAY.
CHAPTER XIV.
A DISPUTED CLAIM.

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Lakewood House did not belle its reputation
for calm regularity Of its domestic concern:
and immunity from tho many petty ills and
annoyances which afflict less intellectually
conducted establishments. SO far as could
be seen all promised well for n quiet, placid
and uneventful winter. Horace and Her
bert employed themselves as was their wont
They we're men who could spread out little
occupation over large slice OF time, SC
never found the hours Lang YEARLY. Beatrice
seemed fairly happy with her bright-haired
boy. The lite fellow was now beginning t.
prattls merrily, and his manner towards the
Talterts was more audacious ard familiar
than ever Altogether it looked as if moth
ing would occur to disturb tho even tenor Of
life at lakewood House, until tho budding
hedges once more brought round the usual
spring cleaning.
But, all undreamt of by the brothers,
storms were brewing which were to shake
their house to the foundations.
Christmas came. Now Christmas Day was
n day On which the Talberts made great
sacrifices for the good of their fcllow-crca-
lures Sylvanus Mordlc, who believed that
those in poverty were as much entitled to
c:eature-comforts as to spiritual consoia-
mas, anl collected special fund for the
purpose of giving all his poor people hearty
dinner At this dinner the Talberts were his
hanchmen. No one who knew their fastidi-
ors ta,tes could have seen them carving huge
Joints Of ang,iinary-looking beef or serving
out sticky segments Of plum-pudding without
feeling sure that at heart, they were thor
oughly good fellows. Herbert did once
plaintively ask Mordle IL the meat need be
ouite 50 red. The crate chucked. "If it
wasn't red, they'd say twas American, and
leave IT," lie answered. 1t is to be feared
that experience had taught Mordle that
charity is often looked upon as n right to be
demanded, not bounty for which to be
thankful.
II was 10 doubt the terrible sights OF the
forenoon which made the Talberts risidly
taboo, so far as their own table was con
cerned, all conventional Christmas fare. AS
Horace gravcly said, there Is, to educated
minds, something savoring Of vu.garity in
suppo3ing that the celebration of a certain
holy-day must be attended by the conmmp-
ton Of certain class of comes. lilies. So
their dinner consisted of clear soup, fish, a
brace of birds and al omclet.
"We never thought Of Beatrice, said Her
bert peniently Beatrice might have liked
roast beef and plum pudding
But Miss Clauson did not yearn for Christ
mas diet. Moreover, her thoughts were far
away from eating and drinking Indeed,
during the last three months the girl had
been, even for her, strangely quiet and
thoughtful As for little while longer we
must DO contentcd to regard her from the
outside only, her musings cannot be divnlged,
To-day, no doubt, she was thinking great
deal about an impending visit to her fathers
house.
Horace end Herbert had urged it earnestly.
Not, as they kindly and truthsully told her,
tnat they wished to lose her for even a day,
but it was well that the world should think
that tho Clausons werea united family. 1t Is
curious what sinlpleton most people think
the world. and how easily they fancy it can
10 taken in. va
Beatrice consented to be guided by her
uncles' advice. So on the day after Christ
mas she left Oakbury. Sir Maingay and his
family were wintering In London II is sur
prising the number Of respectable families
who do winter in London.
Sir Ma.ngay met her ut Paldington. The
baronet locked a little rounder and little
moro commonplace than when last she saw
him He greeted his daughter aifectiona:ely
but told her she looked i'll and careworn.
Then lie inquired for Horace and Herbert.
As from the very first day they had kept Sir
Maingay in his proper place, he looked upon
them with the greatest respect. SIS it true
they have adopted childf' no asked. Some
garbled version Of tho affair hadrcachedh him.
"No, said Beatrice. II have"
"You, my dear! Adopt child Why it is
time you thought of the possibility of having
children Of your own. Ihave for months
been hoIins to hear you were engaged to be
married
81 shall never marry, said Beatrice, rather
coldly.
Depend upon it, IL In tho best state" said
Sir Maincay eagerly. Then he started of on
the sui Jet Of the precocity which Beatrice's
little hali-brothcrs displayed. How the elder
said this yesterday and the younger did that
the day before-a record of individual but
not general interest.
But just before they reached his house Sir
Maingay made more notable remark. ~
made the acquaintance this week Of young
relative Of your poor mother's-a Mr. Carru-
TIERS who was staying with you some time
ago. told him you were coming up, and he
promised to call
1t was growing dusk, 80 the flush that
leaped to Miss Clausons cheek was unseen.
Sbe was silent for half a minute, then she
said, quietly:
II shall be very glad to SEQ Mr.. Car
ruthers.n
Lady Clauson was gracious and condo
Ecending. She had gained some sort Of sue
cess IN town last season, 20 could afford to
beBo. Nevertheless, Beatrice was shown in
various ways that she was st anger within
her fathers gates The little boys were
brought down TO SEQ her dressed In their
company clothes and manners. They were
good, ordinary, embarrassing little fellows,
and no doubt Miss Clauson contrasted them
with a golden-haired pet Of hers at Oakbury.
Although the ladies were civil TO each other
they did not sympathize. Like many others,
Lady Clauson was utterly unable TO under.
stand Beatrice. .
Never, II you can help 1t, marry q
widower," she said TO bosom friend .No
enc can tell the anxiety first wife's child Is
mo one who has not experienced it,"
st must be, said the friend with great
feeling.
If she did not Away dres 20 carefully
continued Lady Clauson sorrowfully, at
should believe she bad made up her mind 10
beam old maid, and might then do somsthins
for the boys. She has moro money than any
LII a