Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1892-07-08

.'Oh. don't know, I'm sure. lie
cannot expect Us to chain ourselves down
here TO this life just tor his sake"
"Perhaps not, Janet, but | shall not
leave him after all he's done for us.
"Well, you can do as you like, Lou;
as for me, I'm going at once
But there was no need of any worry
inc over Uncle Duniin, for the very next
day he was found drowned in tue river,
and the girls left the city within a week
and were whirled away to the North,
through the great, open country, so full
of freedom and beauty, dotted here aud
there with clean, sunny villages, aud
within few hours were safely lodged at
Mrs. Barton's dear old home-plcturcsque
Oakview.
Once during the journey Lou had
turned to her sister, aud with her voice
so soft aud trembling, said:
Janet, how wish good old Uncle
Duukiu could have lived to see this. |
shouIt have enjoyed it more If ne could
have been with us"
"Pm thankful he isn't Lou. He was
well enough Ill our Old AlC, Ou' ~
wouldn't do now.
From the date OF that speech Lou
had felt pang Of sorrow that was new
to her, and as she sat in the shade OF the
elm tree down by the bridge the change
in her sister came back to her, and she
sighed.
Robert Burton was Mrs. Barton's only
child, young man of twenty-five, wAo
had been abroad for year, and was ex-
pectcd home that evening. The carriage
had already been sent to the station to
meet hun, aud Janet, having made up
her mind to cnsnare and capture him
and become the mistress Of Olkvlew,
had been practising the art OF
luxurious leisure from the day OF her
arrival.
Lou had remained by the bridge
almost an hour, when she saw the car
rage rolling along the lane, and she
watched it until it rolled " to the gate
and disappeared among the trees that
line the drive. SO intent was her gaz2
and so absorbed her thoughts that she
started with little cry OF alarm when
she was suddenly awakened by the
sound of footsteps on the bridge close
behind her.
beg pardon" said n dusty, travel.
stained mau with tanned face, rs he
lifted his hat 81 an sorry that fright
cncd Won. used to ike this walk, aud
especially at this time Of day, since it is
so quiet aud restful, and then tlc clover
scents always brings back the days Of
my childhood, and whea we reached the
turn over there left the carriage to
walk across to the house"
"Then you are Mr.. Barton Lou
said.
ayes; excuse me. l should have in.
PRODUCED myself. But when one has
been away 50 long and is getting home
again he feels wild with plcaSurable ex-
citcment. You, l presume, are Miss
uarlingl"
81 am Lou Harding"
"Oh, indeedl Well, am anxious TO
meet dear mother, so il you are going to
the house we will walk back together. "
But little was said by either OF then
as they went back across the sward, but
Lou was conscious more than once OF
the handsome maa's eyes beng tiXci III.
tcntly on her.
When they reached the house Jane.
affected manner so cold aud distant
and 50 istless that Lou looked ut her IN
surprise.
That night when the sisters prom
enaded, arm in arm, across the lava,
Janet asked:
"Lou, what do you think of R)6ertf'
~ do not know that / ought to ex-
press au opinion" Lou replied, "since |
know so little about him."
Don't you think he is handsome"
"Well, no; not handsome, but well
enough looking
IL hope you like him, Lou, for mean
that he shall be your brother. Do you
think you will like him for brothers"
81 shall like him tor your sake,
Janet" Lou answered.
"Thauk you, sister. Now, since you
are such a dutiful little dumping, I'm
going to tell you something. I've got it
all planned out how we arc to manage
when Robert and | are married and | am
mistress Of OIkvcw. You are to live
with us, of course, and | know Robert
won't object And as for the old house,
I'm going to have it overhaulcd and mod.
ernized SO that it will be respectable.
And rs for aunt and her traps, they shall
be packed off to some obscure room out
of the way. All, I'm going to have d
thorough renovation, and society viii
find Oakview charmingly fashionable.
Don't you like thati"
"No, don't like it, and if was Mr.
Barton Id never consent to have the ole
house changed. 1t is so dear in its old
fashioned simplicity, and, besides,
know good old aunt would not like any
changes. 1t ought to be left as it is"
"You little goose, when will you ever
begin to learn anythingl What do
care for what aunt likes, and who care
for simplicity Don't tell you we ar
in society and we must lay aside all old
fashioned nonsense. | do hope, Lou
you won't mortlfy me with any of you
absurd manners and speeches when Rob
ert is present, for if you do l believe
Z shall die"
Janet printed a light kiss on her sister:
|, brow and tripped away. Lou continued
l walking slowly to and fro, and her face
, had the marks of deep sorrow.
+ ''lf that is to be the outcome of on
riches" she unused, ait would have beer
better for us to have remained poor for
ever"
Throuph tho aucnnpdinr lnva Ion knn