The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-27

months, 20 los. Cd. estimated keep of nurse
and child for six months, say 427 les. Cd. 4;
! total, .G37 is 3D.
| II thought said Horace, slowly-"in fact
your manner at various times gave me to I'M
lerstand that it was right and just | should
make this entry"
Herbert's face grew red. He was as nearly
in rage as he had ever been in his life. Yet
be answered not in words He took quill
pen and drew thick ink line through the
entry, thereby giving Horace mornings
work in re-copying his elaborate statement
and altering the totals
Nothing more was said. Herbest's manner
If denial was more emphatic than words. His
brother knew that he would never have dis
puted sixpence which he was justly liable to
pay. Horace did not apologize for his sus-
picion; he felt that having allowed Herbert to
blot and mutilate his fair balance sheet with
out word of protest was more than enough
compensation, and no doubt Herbert thought
the same, for peace was restored, and the
matter never again mentioned.
The consequence was that, after the June
audit, even Horace was unable to frame any
theory to account for the way i'll which the
hoy had appeared among them He felt,
his consent to the child's remaining had been
won under false pretences, or, rather, because
he had deceived himself. However, it was
now too late to alter the course Of events, and,
To tell the truth, Horace Talbert, in his own
grave, solemn way, Ietted the child almost as
much rs Beatrice did.
About this time the Rev. Sylvanus Mordle
made great resolve. Months ago he had
come TO the conclusion that Miss Clauson's
gray eyes and classical face had wrought
havoc with his heart. The NJ B. waistcoat,
which covered it-Sylvanus was orthodox at
least in his attire-might have been of wet
tissue paper for the little protection it had af-
forded him. He had not until now met the
woman he wished to make his wife, although
his single state was in no wise due to any
views rs to the peculiar fitness Of celibacy for
the priesthood. Such iniquitous doctrines he
secuted, as they deserve to be secuted, by all
who owe anything to the fierce, brave, vulgar,
coarse and truly human reformer who boldly
asserted that comforts OF married life were
not supertluous Injuries. After Miss Clauson
had been at Hardwood House for month,
the curate knew that n crisis in his fate was
approaching, He slapped himself heartily on
his broad chest, and told the Rev. Sylvanus
Mordle that here at last was the one maid for
him.
This so far a. it went, was eminently sat
isfactory. Unluckily, or luckily, there are
two parties to every bargain, two sides to
every hedge, and the curate felt that the
hedge between himself aud Miss Clauson was
high one
Nevertheless, like bold man, he went to
work to climb It or break through it. 1t
was, indeed high time he took some action in
the matter. Under the present circum-
stances, he found his enforced habit Of ap-
pearing cheerful to all, even himself, becom-
ing great strain upon his resources. There
were times VIXEN he felt tempted to seek some
secluded corner Of his parish and sigh dole
fully beneath its famous oaks. Times when,
In his own words, he felt inclined to go out
and bay the moon, or generally do what is
consoling to unsettled lovers
All this and more, for the sake OF Beatrice
Clauson's gray eyes, brown hair and straight
profileI The Rev. Sylvanus was indeed, in
q bad way, and knew he should not be his
own man again until his love was crowned,
OF kicked into the gutter.
So one Sunday evening he preached crisp,
celebrating, decorating sermon, in which he
showed his Pensioners how right it was that
man should choose a helpmeet. He preached
it really to encourage himself but its imme-
date effect upon his flock was that on the
next Sunday the banns Of marriage between
no less than three couples were called; SO it
must have been most convincing discourse
On the Monday he mounted his tricycle.,
and, after going his parochial round, drove or
propelled himself on tremulous wheels 10
Lakewood House.
Sylvanus on his tricycle. was lovely sight
but one which, upon its first introduction,
oiled Oakbury with CONSERVATION. To sec
clergyman in a long black coat and broad
brimmed hat, working vigorously with mus
cular legs, and sending himself along at the
rate Of ten milv an hour, was an upheaval
OF all traditions. Only his popularity saved
| him. Indeed, old Mrs. Pierrepont, parish
ioner in chronic state OF aggrievedness,
wrote to the bishop on the subject. Shs
called it a "bicycle machine" not exaggerat-
ing, but diminishing, so far as wheels went
| The bishop was startled. A curate careering
about the country on couple OF wheels did
seem out of place. So his lordship wrote to
the rector Of Oakbury on the subject, and the
rector handed the letter to SSylvanus. So far