The Butler weekly times., 1888-02-29

several years; then we went West to
Sharald, quiet summer resort on the
shore of Lake Michigan whose attrac-
tions were, as yet. comparatively un.
known to the public.
had been my fathers constant
companion for more than ten years
since my mothers death-reading.
studying. travelling with him and en-
joying his undivided confidence, going
with him on his hunting and fishing
jaunts. even, as il had been the son
that was expected and desired. when
made my advent into this world.
If my father was disappointed,
however, I was never made to feel it;
and my name, Roberta Ferron. was
tho only reminder that there might
have been somewhat different order
of things, had the fates been pro-
pitious
did my best to make 1t up to him.
and. in overcoming that genuine
squeamishness with which most mon
are secretly impatient-whatever they
may have to say about the true woman
and female delicacy-I probably went
to the other extreme. and developed
certain hoydenish, which was especi-
ally offensive to my aunt, Miss Pris-
ella Ferron. my fathers only sister.
an angular spinster of uncompromis.
ing grimness and propriety. My in.
tercourse with her, fortunately, was
limited to brief visits at long intervals,
so that her disapproval did not weigh
very heavily upon my spirits. which l
frankly admit at that period were de-
cidedly in need of restraint
At this time was only sixteen. but
l had read good deal of Latin and
Greek; could speak French and Ger
man, and had pretty thorough
knowledge of history and literature.
beside the usual accomplishments. and
was almost as expert with the rod and
rifle as my father. who was an ardent
sportsman.
Inever was pretty. Twas too tall,
and, like my aunt, rather too angular.
My yellow hair was too striking con-
trast to my skin. which was always
tanned to decided brown, and which
was only made tolerablc by the healthy
red in cheeks and lips My teeth were
white and regular. my eyes were large,
dark, and not lacking in expression,
and were my one good feature. My
father, with all fathers partiality,
insisted that was beautiful. but Aunt
Priscilla, more disinterested and relia-
| aboI sfr NIT
the opinion ''that I was too odd-look-
ing to please"
It was the summer of 1860 that we
spent at Sharald. and tho memory of
it. or rather the first part of it. IL
delightful to me yet The sport was
excellent. We tramped over every foot
of the country for miles around, and
spent much time ON the lake or fishing
for black bass in which the streams
about there then abounded. We had
month of unalloyed happiness and
were so content with each others COM
panionship that we made few acquaint.
ances.
One evening-it was the first Satur'
day in August-among the passengers
ON the late boat was Reginald Brand,
who was an old friend and class-mate
of my fathers His arrival was who'll
ly unexpected, for although they had
kept up an uninterrupted correspond.
ence ever since they had left college,
they had not met since was little
child, and had wholly forgotten him
He was peculiar man. 1 can no
tell just how. OR why. though he was
commonplace enough in appearance
being tall. muscular, with grizzlee
hair and mustache, rather heavy feat
ures and eyes that had an uncomfort
able habit of scrutinizing you through
their half closed lids. 1t may hav.
been this trick. one of which he wa.
evidently unconscious. that made hin
so unaccountably repulsive to me. Fol
his virtues. which were high cultiva
ton. intelligence. refinement of man
ner and delightful cheerfulness tha
would have been thoroughly captivat
ing in any one else. greatly cutweighet
his faults
Possibly I was trifle jealous. for
cared for no society but my father 8
and felt piqued that I was not equally
sufficient to him. Presented the intru.
sion of third person In our hunting
and fishing jaunts. and in the Ion.
conversations that were even NOR,
delightful. But there was no help 70
it, and Ihad to submit to the inevitabl
: with the best grace could muster
Father. like the rest of his sex. wa
provokingly obtuse about many things
and il never occurred to him that
might not find Mr.. Brands society
his "reminiscences of travel and hi
endless fund of aneclote. as entertain
ing as he did
The weeks, however. did not lag. bu
sped away as rapidly as they had b<
) fore Mr.. Brands unwelcome advent