Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-01-08

washed him and dressed him, combed his hair
into a wavy mass of FURNISHED gold, and so
brought him to the breakfast table fresh and
sweet as n rose in June. She placed him on n
chair beside her, by the aid of sundry cushions
raising him up to n proper level. Having nd
justed him to her satisfaction, she ordered
bread and milk to be prepared.
The Talberts made no objection to Beatrice's
proceedings, although they fancied the child
would have been sent to breakfast with the
servants Being anxious to see him by day
light they screwed their eyeglasses in place,
and once more infinitely inspected their
sturdy little visitor. Even Uncle Horace
nodded approval OF his bonny looks and fear
less bearing whilst Herbert joined Beatrice
in petting him.
The boy seemed happy enough in his new
quarters. 1t is indeed n sad thing to remark
how soon a child forgets its mother. He
cries because he misses warmth, food or COM
fort-not on account Of the absence of the
being who has lavished oceans of love upon
him.
This particular baby, having been so cruel
ly deserted, may perhaps be excused for
making the best of his changed circumstances
and laughing merrly when called upon SO to
do but other babies cannot be absolved from
the sin OF callous Indifference and non-recip-
rocation of love.
Beatrice having ascertained that no news
had arrived, said nothing that bore upon her
startling suggestion OF last night Perhaps
she saw that the bright, saucy child interested
and amused her uncles; so, with the diplo-
matte gifts natural to her sex, judged it better
to let the matter rest for while. As soon US
breakfast was over, she led the child away,
and spent the remainder Of the day playing
with and petting him to her hearts content
1t really seemed as if Miss Clauson had found
a new interest in life.
And, To tell the truth, she was young
woman who appeared to want something to
arouse her. She was now, at the age of
twenty-five, very different from the girl who
50 hastily threw down the glove to her step
mother. Her quietness and undemonstrative
manner, of which the Talberts so much APP
proved, seemed scarcely natural to girl with
beauty, rank and riches For, indeed, she
was beautiful. If her face showed no color
its healthy pallOr was more attractive to a
right-minded man than all the rosy cheeks
that ever existed. Her brown hair grew in
great masse' and low down on her well-shaped
forehead. Her eyes were gray-a strange
wonderful gray-so deep in shade that most
people would have called her dark-oyed. Her
features were perfectly straight. Her face
was oval, Her lips We're just full enough to
make her apathetic demeanor seem inconsist-
ent with the dogmas of physiognomy
Beatrice ClausOn was, in fact, a feminine
touchdown edition of the TalbertS. The char
actcristics which We're with them exaggerated
with her were reproduced in exactly the right
proportions. Their faces We're elongated
ovals-her face was a proper oval. Their noses
We're straight, but too long-her nose was
straight, and just long enough. They We're,
if anything too tall-she was only tall enough
to be called n fine girl. Miss Clausons per-
/ sonal appearance was living proof of how
fitting had been the alliance between Sir
Maingay Clauson and old Talbcrt's daughter.
! The first Lady Clauson had been the counter
part of her brothers, Sir Maingay was short,
round faced and rather round bodied. With
Beatrice, the blemishcs which had detracted
from her parents good looks reappcared as
! beauties
| Moreover, she had that air of distinction
| upon the possession Of which the Talbcrts not
unjustly prided themselves They were glad
to think it came TO her from their side of tho
family-hcr father, the baronct, being like
most baronets and other titled personapes n