Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-02-09
A WayWard Ward.

adequate explanation of every enig-
ma. For what other purpose does he
exist than to throw light on the sur
rounding darkness? He is torch
bearer to humanity's ignorance. II |
now and again, by reason of pessi-
mist temperament or defect of train
ing, the rays he sheds around intensi-
fly rather than dispel gloom, and cast
shadows as of Egyptian night across
mans forward path, surely he mis-
construes his mission.
But the wisest head is sometimes
puzzled, and the shrewdest explorer
of the all-environed mystery is some
times confounded. A problem pre-
sents itself which cannot be resolved
by any of the familiar processes.
The why of some suddenly disclosed
fact is as inscrutable as the Sphinx
of the Eastern desert. 1t was thus
with Bernard Ralston.
Those who thirst for fame, as mis-
ers thirst for gold, or coquettes for
admiration, would have found much
to envy in this young man. S position.
At an age when statesman is cur
rently supposed to be studying his
parliamentary primer, and when fu-
ture general may still be writhing
under the sarcasms of barrack-room
instructor. Bernard Ratston had been
welcomed into the front rank of phil
osophical thinkers. His book on SIN
stinct, Conscience and Reason" was
read and criticised by the few, prais-
ed and avoided by the many. The
noisy heterodox claimed him as new
and promising recruit; and so also.
| to the amusement of the on-looker.
! did the stanchest maintainers of old
landmarks. He was fattered, feted,
and the lion of his season
1t was from this suddenly acquired
distinction that his embarrassment
had approached. The solicitors let
ter that was the beginning of sorrows
made this clear. 1t ran thus:
DEAR SIR: We have TO inform
you that by the will of our late client,
Mr.. Humphrey Power, you are ap-
pointed sole guardian of his only sur
viving daughter, Olive. AS this may
be in the nature of surprise, we beg
leave to quote the precise paragraph
of the will: And l hereby empower
Mr.. Bernard Ralston to act in every
respect as the guardian of my child.
/ am sure that Olive can have no fit
ter or wiser protector, none better
qualified to advise and to regulate
her life; and should he-as | ear
nestly beg-accept and fulfill this
charge, | give and bequeath to the
said Bernard Ralston, over and above
such reasonable expenses as he may
} have incurred on my daughters be-
half, the sum of $4,000 to be pait
by my executors on my daughters
twenty-frst birthday, as small trib
ute of my gratitude.
The young lady is a very consider
BILE heiress, in her eighteenth year, ant
, at present at a private pension il
5 France. Further particulars will fol
low on your reply. We are, dear sir
yours obediently,
FANsHAwE & FITCH
The gift of the proverbial white ell
ephant could have produced in n,
heart a greater CONSERVATION. Wha
t should a retired and solitary student
e of serious pursuits and courtly man
ners, answer to such challenge? l
. Cleethorpe Hall were large, it by n
: means followed that he wanted NOR
life within its bounds and a girl il
her teens, mere child, as with th
y wisdom of thirtyfive years he con
S sidered her! How could her presenc
by his freside be harmonized wit
+ the quiet current of the life he elect
: ed to live?
Yet, the bait of five thousan
pounds was temptation. The glo
= ries of Cleethorpe Hall had been sad
b ly tarnished through the improvidenc
of Bernard's father, and philosoph
!, is not particularly remunerative hob
e by to ride. Mr.. Humphrey Power
y legacy, if not precisely a fortune
would be an assistance in the keer
: ing up of the restricted Cleethorp
establishment.
The matter was debated long an
anxiously, and as the result Miss Oh
q i've Power arrived at the Hall on
h snowy February morning. Sligh
+ of figure, winsome of feature, wit
merry, violet-tinted brown eyes, an
lips continually parting in piquan
!, smile over teeth of whitest pearl,
. he was properly to protect his ward
: his position might not prove sine
cure. Neither did it
Il The girls beauty attracted suitor
: as clover blossoms allure bees; an,
it was soon an open secret in th
countryside that Miss Power, as we
as being a lonely and lovely youn'
: thing, was richly lowered one
5 This brought the sometimes lugubri
d Gus voice of Prudence into reasona
BILE accord the chorus of alteration.
a But Olive was not minded to be a
: easy capture for any of her wooers
With a woman's instructive dexterlt,
she kept them all at bay, and at TWEEN
= ty had escaped the necessity of a
y yet refusing any offer in formal AM
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