The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1892-07-16
CHAPTER v.

nouncrd his coming, and, on aHghtlng
from the train, he found the carriage
awaiting him, and the old coacE~7n he
remembered SO well bcaming smiling
welcome.
Five years had wrought very percept-
Itlr changes III the aspect OF the coun-
Try The small town lying within the
shelter of the valley, true to its old
progressive spirit. revealed a wonderful
development. New and imposing resi-
dences were to be seen on all sides.
Busy activity was everywhere visible,
and Brian began to imagine himself q
modern Rip Van Wrinkle, returning to
his home after a long absence.
His home? Alas! this was his home
no longer. For the first time perhaps
the full force of this idea struck him.
From the carriage window he caught
distant glimpscS Of Elmwood, the state
IL old house browning the brow of the
hill ike sentinel guarding the village
below, its terraced gardens sloping to
the narrow river winding like silver
thread betw, en- its green banks, and
The splendid Old forest trees clothed in
the ten Ter foliage of May.
He sighed as he turned from the pic
ture. He had never been particularly
fond Of Elmwood in the old days, the
country und,r no circumstance Offering
Inducements that he found alluring, but
now all was changed. The home he had
looked upon as his had passed into the
hands of another. and the knowledge
raised new Iongings and new desires in
his heart.
lie iried to picture the cousin who
hal taken his inheritance from him, but
his imagination could grasp nothing
definite. He wondered if she We're tall
OF short, dark or light, cold or affable,
au3 ihrm he fell to framing face in his
mind and as the intangible shadow
assumed Il clearer shape it unconscious
~ took on the form and features of the
Margaret he had left in the fishing town
on Nantucket.
"Fothcr it," he cried, gnawinS his
mu9tache with u fierccness that argued
inward disturbance The want of
money is the greatest bore under the
sun Ma garet was such dear girl.
This thought came as a natural Sc
Guence TO the other, and he smiled at
the possibilities il suggested.
Tonr Brian had his faults; among
them an ovcrweening love for his own
comfort and an intense dislike for what
ever could cause him the least incon-
ycnienca. His love for money was rcla-
tive. moi abstract. Money could buy
II Assure and luxury, therefore he de-
s.re It's possession.
He had no ambition for the fame to
he won by his own endeayor. No de-
: IL to take his place in the working
wori.l and win his way III the struggle
for pco rincnce. Privation and hard
ship, those prolific mothers of greatness,
were wanting in his life and the activ-
ity and industry which Margaret adj
mired We're to him a laborious effort
that no after greatness could compen-
antc. His education was in part 70
spoons bic for these ideas. Selfish and
indolent by nature, he had early been
deprived of his mother, and i'll her per-
son, of the careful training and judscious
d.cipliua which might have weakened, If
rot wholly cradicated, these traits.
His father was lily fitted Cor the guard
ian~hip of a quick, impulsive boy, and
the iniudiciou- indulgence of an Old
nurse strengthened the already strong
characteristics. When, as frequently
happened, Brian grew unmanageable,
his father was appealed to, and his Sc
verify on such occasions had far from
the desired effect
Such Il course Of training had prac-
teal effect on Brian after life. When
he let college. he studied medicine, in
accordance III his father wishes and
during the progress OF his studies, pro-
ruedcl To SOW his wild oats with such
unusual vim that frequent quarrels be
tween himself and father became the
rule.
These terminated in one more bitter
than all the rest, which resulted in
Brian departing for Europe, and his
father threatening to discontinue his al
lowancc. \ very direful threat, that
ended, as Brian expected, in nothing
more than words.
Brian had been travelling several
months when Margaret's father died and
she took up her residence at Elmwood.
Once There, she soon won her way to
her uncIe's heart, and the old gentleman
formed the project of a marriage be-
tween her and his son. He died without
realizing his hope. and for reasons
which he did not disclose, he left all his
property to Margaret, and cut Brian off
with an income of $1,000. Now, after
five years absence. the disinherited son
WAS experiencing the novel sensation of
entering his Old home visitor.
ne llltlhllN, ldiililidI all III every :
thing about him, made his sense of loss
more keen; and when old st phons, who
had known him as boy, met him at the
door with eyes suspiciously moist, and
Il face full of emotion, he found himself
80 overcome that he could do nothing
more than grasp the toil-worn hand of
the faithful old servant, and shake it
with impulSivc affection.
hn m al
when left alone 10 his reflections Il
firmly believe the faithful fellow had
tears in his eyes Never thought I'd
be 20 low in the scales that the feel
ing Of an old servant would touch me
81. ! wonder if my beloved cousin
Il allies what she has taken from me.
More than mere money. Yes, a thou
sand times more. She has taken my
happiness. And Nargaret-with all
this | could have married her. She
liked me. | feel sure. Her every action
told me- rs much. Dear girl how happy
! should hc to make her mistress here.
Vel, there is certainly no use signing
over the inevitable
This was a philo> optical conclusion
but Brian found it difficult to shake of
h. incubus of despondency and turn
his attention 10 some needfui changes
in his attire. preparatory 10 going down
20 dinner. lie was not a particularly
van man; yer, wishing TO appear to the
! b Il u. vantage in his cousin 5 eyes, ht
| took special PAINS with his -cAet. Tie
| wond, red ii Margaret had visitors
/ stephens la spoken Of the ladies.
\ Probably some old friend or chap.
ceon." he concluded. with last salts
1 factory glance at his reflection in thu
mirror.
lie found no one in the parlors. and
+ the library teing likewise deserted, h,
van. ere along the hall to half opel
!, door. through which he caught ;
+ gin psa OF black dress.
lie approached it with some trepida
ton. He suspected possible changes il
the arrangement of the house sine,
Margaret advent, and he was rattle
fearful If intruding upon some privat
| apartment.
HIS hesitating steps had, however
1ecn heard. There was a movement il
rha room a cry Of Dear Brian," an,
he found himself holding Miss Hilton