Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-09-14

CHAPTER ".
AUGUSTUS DECISION.


AUGUSTUS DECISION
On the second day following the death
of poor little Joonnie Smithcrs, Mr.. Eus-
tace Mccson was stroling about Birlniug-
ham with his hands in his pockets and IN
air of iudccision on his decidedly gEIce-
able and gcntcman-likc countcmancc.
EustQcc Mccs0n was not particularly cast
down by the extraordinary reverse OF for
tune which he had recently experienced.
He was young gentleman Of cueeriGl
nature. and, besides, It did nor so very
zach matter TO him. He WIS i'm Il blessed
condition of cclibacy, and had no wife
and children dependent upon him. and he
knew that, somehow or other, it would go
hard if, with the help of the one hundred
a year that ho had of his oWn he did not
manage, with his education, to get - liv-
ing by hook or by crook. go it was not
tho loss OF the soC.1ty Of his respected
uncle, or the prospective enjoyment of
two millions of money which was troub
ling him Indeed, after he had once
cleared his goods and chattcls out of
Pompadour Hall and settled them in a
room in hotel, he had not given the
matter much Thought. But he had given
good many thoughts to Augusta Smith
crs' gray eyes, and, by way Of getting
an insight into her character, he had at
once invested in q copy of "Jcmima's
Vow" thereby, somewhat against
his will, swelling the gains of
Nelson's to the extent of several shillings.
Now, "Jemimas Vow though simple
and homely, was most striking and pow
erfu book. which fully deserved the
reputation that it had gained, and it af
fectcd Eustacc-who was III 50 much diff
ferent from most young men of his age
that he really did know the difference be-
tween good work and bad-morc strongly
than he would have liked to own. Indeed,
at the termination of the story, what be-
tween the beauty of Augusta ) pages the
memory of Augustus eyes, and the
knowledge of Augusta's wrongs, Mr..
Eustace Meeson |. AN to feel very much
as though he had fallen III love. Accord
ingly, he went out walking, and meeting
clerk whom he had known in the Nee
son establshment-one of those who lad
been discharged on the same day as him
self--he obtained from him Miss Smith
ers' address, and began to reflect rs to
whether or no he should call upon her
| Unable to make up his mind, he con-
| tinued his walk till he reached the quiet
| street where Augusta lived, and, suddenly
| perceiving the house of which the clerk
had told him, yielded to temptation and
rang
The door was answered by the maid of
| all work, who looked at him II little curl
ously, but said that Miss Smithcrs was in,
| and then conducted him to door which
was half open, and left him in that kindly
and Agreeable fashion that maids Of all
work have. Eustace was perplcXed, and,
| looking through the door to see if any one
self. dressed in some darl, material seated
| in a chair her hands folded ON her Ian. her
male face set like stone. and her ewes
gazing into vacancy. He paused, wonder.
| Inc what could he the nnttcr and as he
did so his umbrella sIipned from his hand,
making noise that rendered it necessary
| for him to declare himself
Augusta rose as he advanced and looked
at him with puzzled air. as though sac
we're striving to recall his name or wher,
she had met him.
II ber your pardon." he ster,ncrai. II
must Introduce myself as the Girl has
deserted me. am Eustace Meeson."
Augustus face hardened ut the name.
! "If YOU have come to me from Mcssrs.
Nieeson s. Co."-she said quickly, and
then broke OFF, as though struck By some
! new idea.
| Indeed, no" said EuStace. Il have
nothing in common with Messrs. Mecson
now except my name, ard | have ONLY
come to tell Won how sorry was to see
YOU treated a., YOU were by my uncle.
You remember, was in the officer"
Yes" she said, with suspicion CT q
blush, Il remember you were very kind. -
We'll, YOU see" he Went on, Il had n
great row with NV uncle after that, and
il cndel with his turning me out of the
place Ear and baoDago. end Informing me
that he was roint TO cut me off with q
shilling, which" lie added rctectively,
! "he has probably done by now"
"Do Understand YOU, Ny. Meeson. to
mean that you quarreled with your uncle
about ne and nv boo!ls?"
yes, that is So" he said.
1T was very cLiyalrous of Won" she
answered, looking at him with a new born,
curiosity, AUGUSTA was not accustomed
to find tle l;nirhts Grant thus prepared.
ct such cost 10 themselves, to break q
lance in Lpr capse. Least Of all was she
prcDarcd TO find that knipht bcarinr tho
hateful crest Of Mecson-if. indeed Nice.
son Lad a crest.