The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1893-09-22
CHAPTER TX.


there informed his friends that he had,
as much as lay in his power, endeavored
to hasten the final settlement of all mat
tiers connected with his late business. He
had met all who had claims upon the
firm and brought the whole matter much
nearer thorough adjustment than at
first he had any reason to anticipate. He
spoke with great feeling of the respect
and kindness manifested toward him
personally by all concerned and their
voluntary request that he should APP
propriate all the personalproperty about
the house and grounds to his own use,
and they expressed theiYsconviction that
even more than that would be found
honorably his due.
OF course LIE Barron's funeral had pre-
vented the ride to the Montgomery place,
butnow, finding there was every promise
of turning his attention to some new
work, Mr.. Newton desired that Eustace's
proposition should have immediate at
tent1on. 1t was therefore agreed that
early the next morning Eustace should
escort Mrs. Newton tn the farm and on
their return the feasibility of the project
should be finally settled.
Rose proposed that she should accom-
pany them and have one more ride on
FAIRY before she passed from their
hands, and turning sweetly to her lover
asked if she might trespass on his gal
pantry for an escort. He excused him
self on the plea Of prior engagements
and expressed great regret that he could
not enjoy such treat All this was
natural enough, and Rose was satisfied,
for her eyes were not yet opened. But
the quick flash that overspread his face
and died away as rapidly rekindled Mr..
Newton's sorrowful suspicious, and the
earnest recognition that passed between
Dunbar and George told him that JAS
pers manner had but confirmed their
opinions.
1t was painful to wait longer for
positive denial or unmistakable admis-
sion Of his reasonable proclivlties. But
who could look on that sweet girl by his
side and have the courage to hasten a
denouement that might blast the bright
beauty before themp These thoughts
passed with painful rapidity through
Mr.. Newton's mind, and he had just
mastered the indignant impulse as
Ralph gayly offered to act as his sisters
cavalier in place of her recreant knight
and suggested that it might be well to
emuggle Alfred into the carriage with
the other party, and then, should first
impressions prove encouraging, George
and himself could remain to await or
ders and Alfred escort Rose home again.
But his parents were advocates of con-
Sistency under all circumstances, and
whatever they advocated they exempli-
fed by their daily practice. Mr.. New
ton agreed that such cavalcade as
Ralph had planned was hardly in good
taste under existing circumstances. He
should much prefer that Dunbar should
accompany the ladies in the most I'M
pretending manner, leaving the others
industriously employed in making an in
ventory of all in the house and grounds.
A ready assent was given to this sug-
gestion, Ralph remarking that father
would be obliged to exercise the gift OF
patience before he could get them into
good working condition, for they would,
he feared, be every little while "bolting
from the track" after some fancy frolic
instead Of working like little busy bees,
and q strong arm, tight rein and curb
bit would be absolutely necessary to
keep them on the right side Of the traces.
"Well, Ralph, my son, that is an odd
mixture Of quotation and metaphor, but
I must say it smacks a little too much of
the jockey"
"Our good parents are growing little
obtuse, I think. I've been trying all the
evening to make you comprehend. Hav-
ing taken possession of the groomsapart-
ments, am happy to find myself not so
far above my position but that my voca-
ton Is recognized" said Ralph, laughing
merrily.
"What.does the silly boy meant" said
his smother.
''Simply, J" replied George, "that while
you and father were occupied at Rose
Vile yesterday we at home were anx-
ious to make ourselves serviceable. l
hope you will not think we are under
taking too great liberties. You know
we must no longer keep retinue Of serv-
ants, and the sooner all changes are
made, I Judge from what you have al
ready said, the better. Hearing of good
places for the coachman and one Of the
grooms, we secured them and sent the
men at once. Ralph and meanwhile
prefer, If it meets your appreciation, to
retain the head hostler, John, for a few
pays to teach us our duties, and we will
do the work at the carriage house and
stable till the contents are disposed Of"
"Look at father" said Ralph, laugh
ing. eff he isn't grieving that his
proud sons should stoop to care for the
horses"
"There you are wrong, dear boy. l
was overcome for moment with graft
tude to God, who has blessed me with
children 30 ready to accept not only I'M
complainingly but with great cheerful
ness and alacrity change sudden as
ours must be, and with no false shame
step in moment from q life Of ease to
one of the lowest forms of mental labor.
"Now, father, your explanation is
really quite cruel. had little speech
all ready-thinking you were shocked at
our labors Of today-to show you how
inconsistent were your precepts. am
ls..-o,rfaI Cor M II N -. - T.. =,