Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-01-20

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however no alternative. IL the estates
weEe sold be would then be able TO nav
OF the debts which weighed so heavily
upon him, and 10 reserve q small income
OF three hundred per annum for himself
N one need know why il has been done,
and the family honor would a. least be
saved.
at is hard for You my poor boy, >,
SAID my father, laying his hand upon
the bright, young head, bowed in such
bitter grief before him.
Walter was not ashamed of the tears
that he could not restrain, nor of the
heavy sobs that shook his frame, as he
finally decided upon parting with his
grand old home If he could have pre.
served the Hall itself he would have
cared less; but he dreaded the thought
that strangers would roam over the
gardens IN which his mother had taken
such pride.
Never mind, > SAID Walter, raising
himself and drawing bis slight graceful
figure to its full height, IL will waste
no more time in regret; have my own
way to make in the world now. If sue
ceed shall have myself to thank; if
fan there will be none To blame me.'
"DO not forget, Walter" said my
father THAT while l live you have
true and warm friend. My house is
yours when you choose TO use it; my
wife shares my affection fer you, and
Belle has always been your little sister. "
"Iou are indeed kind, SIR" said the
poor youth, grasping the hand held out
to him. 81 Will never say am home
less and friendless while you live"
Walter stayed with us until all his
affairs were arranged. The 0akdale
estate was advertised for sale; the mort
gage money was promised within the
year; the creditors were all assured of
/ the speedy payment of their accounts.
| Nothing remained to be done save to
! choose from many bidders the most
eligible one. This was LETT in my faith
er's hands. Walter wished him to I'M
| dertake it, and he did so, arranging
with him that as soon as the purchase
money was paid he would at once dis
charge every debt, and invest the sur
plus 10 the best advantage.
One painful thing poor Walter was
obliged to do himself, and that was to
| discharge the numerous servants, some
of whom had been in the family for
| many years.
Mrs. Vance, the stately old house.
keeper, stoutly refused to move. 1t
was in vain Walter assured her the hall
was To he sold.
''Is it already disposed of, Sir Wal
ter?" she asked.
'Why no, not yet," he replied; "but
it Will be, soon. There are several pur-
chasers already in the field.'i
Then, with your permission. sir,
will remain here until the new family
comes" said Mrs Vance. ''I was here
as maid to Lady BOhun, your mother,
Sir Walter, and helped to nurse you.
have had no other home, and 1 will
not leave this until am obliged to do
So"
"But, my good Mrs. Vance"
said Sir Walter.
Excuse me, sir" interrupted the |
old ladv, with stately courtesy Il !
beg you will say no more. My late |
hOnOred master was most liberal one. |
have saved money, and shall not re- 1
qulre to earn more. That L may be |
permitted to retain possession of my !
own room is all l ask.
useless, Walter allowed the old lady to /
have her way, and she remained the |
sole occupant of the stately old man.
sion, 1t was perhaps well that she did /
so, for her care of it knew no bounds. |
the room was kept clean, and free from |
dust; nothing was changed or altered. |
Better news came for Walter; he was |
chosen from amongst his young CON-
peers to accompany the commanding /
officer of the regiment abroad, where /
he was going on matter of great trust |
and Importance.
81 am sincerely glad," said my father
to him; ''the total change of scene viii
divert your mind from your recent /
troubles; besides, it will be less trying
for you than if you mad to return and
encounter the remarks and gossip of
mes5-room."
So our young hero bade US farewell.
promising TO visit us as soon as he re-
turned to England.
Ny father had been for many years
Sir Stephen Bohun's nearest nelghbor
and most intimate friend. True, he
knew nothing of the state Of his pecu
mary affairs, nor had his remonstranceS
proved of any avail, when he tried, for
Walters sake. to make his father more
careful. Sir Stephen had chosen him
for his sons guardian, because he knew
the great love my father had for the
boy.
To choose an eligible purchaser for
Uakdale had been great trouble and
care to my father. In Mr.. Eyrle he
found all he required; and the day on
which he received the handsome sum
paid for the estate, and discharged all
the numerous and heavy liabilities of
his late friend, was one of the happieSt
of his life.
Our drive to Oakdale was delightful;
Mrs. Vance was charmed beyond all
measure to hear of the newcomers. All
business arrangements were soon made,
and three or four servants from the
town were engaged; fires
were lighted in the large chilly rooms.
81 think,n SAID my father, 'that af.
ter all the letters have had from these
ladies am bound to be at the hall to
meet them; not to stay, but just 10 Did
them welcome home"
Nv father rode away and was absent
some hours. My anxiety for his return
was very great, for longed exceeding
ly to know something of the young
heiress.
'tWhat is she like. papa?" cried as
soon as he entered the door.
81 am not a good hand at descriptions
BeIle,n said he, a quiet smile playing
round his lips; 'but you will see her to-
morrow. After most pressing invita-
ton have promised to take your NAM
ma and you over. "
'.Do they seem to like the placer"
asked my mother,
1.-THE young lady, Miss Eyrle, is In
rapture with It," he replied. " am
TO say that she will not even
permit a chair to be removed from It's
place, still less will she allow any ma