Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-02-19

Then, had they chosen t. rao it, there was at
least a short cut out Cf the difficulty; now
there was none. Tie more they thought the
more Improbable it seemed that these people
could be the parents of the boy. And yc'
the man of least asserted TIT IL WIS so, csi.
the matter was beyond doubt. Tho belief
that the child was "somc ones c,.ild still
chung to both Horace and Herbert. II
seemed, moreover, an absolute insult that
the child of such persons as Mr.. anl Mrs.
Rawlings should have been sent TO Halle
wood House. Why should they have been
chosen out of all the worll TO have thi,
child foisted upon thcml Why did not the
unknown sender return it TO its righfuI
home' The whole claim was n mista;c
whether willful or accidental, it was n mis-
take. Fond as they had really grown Of the
! little boy, the TalbertS were far too Just to
mink Of wishing to keep Lin from his lcgiti
mate owners; but they had no intention of
surrendering him to the first claimant.
Besides, what about Beatrco' what would
she say' Beatrice, to whom the child seemed
as the apple of her eye. Bitterly they blamed
themselves for ever having yiclicd to her
request that she might keep the founding.
But what was done was done, and could not
now be helped.
He told her that some persons had called
and claimed her boy. The whole thing, he
said, was a great puzzle to him and tc
| Herbert. They had deferred their decision
for a few days If possible they would do
nothing until her return.
Beatrice was alone when she read that let
ter. She turned deadly pale and seemed to
gasp for breath. Then she rang the bell and
- 4 A. A
fast she quietly told Lady Causon that she
found she must return to Blacktown by the
next train. She gave no reason for this ab-
rupt departure, and her sudden determine
ton annoyed Lady Clauson immensely. Sir
Mangay said nothing. His daughter had
long ago shown him she was entire mistress
of hor own actions.
mark my words" said Lady Clauson as
soon as Beatrice had departed that girl
will some day do something which will dis
grace the family"
ooh, nonsense, my love-" said Sir Maingay,
who had now been married long enough to
find out that his beautiful wife was not all
his fancy had once painted her.
Beatrice reached Lakewood House quite
unexpected. The Talberts were out, so the
girl ran straight to the nursery "Where is
my boy!n she cried, so vehemcntly that she
startled Mrs. Miller who knew nothing of
the purport of the visit paid yesterday. The
boy there all safe, and Miss Clauson,
without removing her outdoor garments,
Rugged and caresSed her pet until she was
told that her unces had come in. She went
to them at once. They greeted her in
establishment
''What have you done about those wretchcd
people" she asked quickly. 1.-The people
who claim my boy, l mean
MY dear, we have done nothing as yet
"You will not dream Of giving HIN upf
81 hope we shall not be obliged tO.n
'I.isten, Uncle Horace her cheek flushed
as she spoke. Il will give him up to no one
no one at all"
81 am sure, my dear Beatrice, you will be
entirely guided by u.s. +" said Horace.
'Of course she will" said Herbert, kindly
They must have been sanguine men, as the
set of Miss Clauson's brow did not promise
we'll for her submitting to guidance of any
kind.
II shall never give up that boy" she
said in a firm voice, until the person who
claims it gives every proof that it is his
would rather run away with him and hide
myself"
Horace locked extremely shocked. "My
dear Beatrice, he said, 1t gricvcs us bott
to hear You talk so wildly. The child is
very nice child, but you speak Of it us if il
were OF our own flesh and blood"
Beatrice did not reply to this; but the up
shot was that the Talberts PROMISED to write
to Mr.. Rawlings and say that thcy held hi.
recognition of a child not seen f + more thar
two years insufficient proof that i. was his
own, AMI il the absence of further Evidence
declined to entertain his claim. After this
Beatrice LETT them, and for some time thoy
mourned over this new all startling phase