Iron County register., 1889-03-07
CHAPTER XVI

Five years have passed, and we are once
more at the Orchard Farm. 1t is glorious
midsummer, and the sun which is blazin g in
New York till the reeking streets are like
fire furnaces is tempering the light breeze
which ruffles the bosom of the lordly st.
Clair with pleasant warmth that brings
the glow of health to the palest cheek.
Whenever Captain Winthrop is disturbed
in mind he is wont to retire to the seclusion
of the pilot-house in his front garden,
where, under the inspiration of a mighty
meerschaum, he reflects on the ''various
turns of fate below" and generally emerges
with more placid countenance
On this occasion his good atzNed face
bears more than ordinary distressed ex-
preston, and he has sought the additional
solace of the presence of his wife, who is
ever ready to share his troubles.
''Is it about Harry?" Martha Winthrop
asks, with a concerned look in her pleasant
face.
"Aye, ma, it is the old trouble.'
81 am sure, Daniel, we ought to be thank
full for such a good son-so upright, so
steady in business; why, if he'd only said
the word he might have gone to Congress" !"
"Yes, he is a good lad," the Captain
sighed, ''but there's something come be-
tween him and me that tells me that he is
not my boy Harrv that used to be-"
"Well, you know what it is.''
"Yes, his mind is hankering day and
night after that girl. 1t was bad hour for
US when you invited her to stay at Orchard
Farm
''Maybe it was,'' Martha assented, g but
you should not bear malice against her, for
the Lord knows her troubles have been
many. Two brothers lost in the war, father
and mother both dead, and only she and
Walter left OF what was once a happy
family''
"They brought their sorrows on their own
heads,' the old Captain said, grimly.
''And to think of that poor girl being now
alone in New York, seeking her bread
among strangers. Oh, Daniel, think if it
was our Mel in such position.''
"She wasn't bad sort after all,' the
Captain said, rehectively, putting a cloud
of smoke, which eddied and curled in the
air.
Martha sighed. 'Do you think Harry
hears from her as often as he used to dol"
she asked presently.
"Hears from hera Yes, she writes to
him oftener than IS good for him. That is
why he always rides into town and gets the
letters himself. All, Martha, my boy had
no secrets from his old dad once"
But" said the old Captain, ruefully eye
ing his wife, as though half ashamed of the
concession he was about to make in appear
ing at all concerned anent the fortunes of
the Frobishams 81 want you to tell me
just why that girl is obliged to live alone in
New York You and Harry sometimes put
your heads together, and 1 suppose he has
taken you into his confidence, but he never
says any thing to me now about his affairs"
us not that, after all, your own fault,
Daniela Do you ever encourage him to talk
to you about Kate! If her name is men,
toned, you are as glum as Bluebeard.
However, since you do now show some in
terest IN her, shall be very glad to tell you
all know"
(Which is not much, suppose" the Cap
tain grunted, for at heart the honest old
fellow was miserably jealous of his wife's
superior knowledge of his boys affairs.
81 don't know; but I am afraid it is a
great DEAL" Martha continued, meekly.
''Three years ago, you know, her father
died a ruined man.
"He brought on his sorrows himself
"Well, perhaps so; but you and I must
not be his judges, Daniel; for after all, God
may not take quite such hard view Of the
rebellion as you do.''
1t was the first rebuke Martha had ut
tered to her husband for years, and even
now her reproving words were Modified by
tender glance of her loving eyes as she
laid her hand gently on his.
Then she continued, impressively:
"The mother followed the father to the
grave in less than three months of his
death-think of it, Daniel, doubly Or
phanedr'
Eyes, yes, but the boysl' The Captains
tone was snappish, but, if it were not utter
ly impossible to believe that Jolly old mar.