The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-12-30


up that will be satisfactory to both,
guarding my pride and your affection
from collision.
"Of course this is but rough draft
and very crude. Reflection may greatly
modify and perhaps compel us to relin-
quish it altogether, but as have rough
ly sketched it how does the idea of this
new life please you allT'
81 would ask nothing better, my hus-
band. If l remember Alright, we cannot
fsil to make labor pleasure in such a
spot"
II am sure it will not take long 70
make my hands acquainted with real la
bor," said George, ''and would serious
ly propose, father, as soon as you can
decide that you allow me to begin the
work preparatory to moving the family"
"Indeed you may, my boy, and I shall
cheerfully find you active employment
in few days, FOR we can afford no lolter-
ing now"
"Well, father, you may as well find
work for Alfred and me at the same
time said Ralph. "We have no inten-
ton of being the idle ones, assure you
y
to allow either of you to leave your stud
les till your full course is fnished."s
excuse me, father; cannot consent
to that delay. Imean to begin withyou
at the very beginning, and l believe
love study sufficiently to promise that
my evenings and leisure hours shall be
employed in continuing the course am
now on"
Il am sure you could, but am very
reluctant"
"That is to say" said Rose, Seating
herself on footstool by her father knee
and smiling roguishly up into his face,
tour good papa has to battle with his
pride little on this point also"
mo, no, sister" interrupted Lillian.
81 think it is affection, not pride, that
disturbs our father"
"Well, Lilly, that is the most respect
full way to state 1t, and must own the
most correct one too. But, father, you
will not insist on Ralphs returning to
college when he cannot help knowing
that now, if ever, is the time when we
should all cooperate. I know if it were
me should study to no purpose"
"Well, dear, we will think of it. Per-
haps you and Ralph are right. But
don't like TO think So"
YES, father, l am sure they are
right" said quiet, thoughtful Alfred.
"And let me beg you will not separate
me from this work and insist upon my
remaining in college"
The young man had spoken timidly,
but his face was glowing with deep feel
ing. He was Mt once interrupted by
simultaneous voice from all. They were
fully united on that subject. Alfred's
education must be finished. He listened
with attention and heard each objection
to his wishes, and then all timidity van
i5hed and one Of those changes SO pecu-
liar TO his face transfgured him. The
earnest, manly dignity with which he set
aside the objections raised commanded
respectful attention.
He modestly reminded them he had
heard with great interest, but in silence,
all that had been said of future plans,
because being so young he felt his part
was to work whenever the mode of oper-
ations was defined, but he surely had
not deserved to be severed from all he
loved and trained for different sphere.
With tinge of Ralph's humor he re-
minded them that they We're always urg-
ing him TO be less gedentary and live
more in the open air, and now way
was open TO make that duty which
they had only set before him for idle
amusement.
How proudly all listened to the young
lads manly words, and his father could
not but admit that he was really not in
circumstances to carry out their earnest
desires for their youngest without an
outlay that was scarcely warrantable.
"And in acknowledging this, my chill
dren, which l own l do with very great
unwillingness, | show to each of you
that it will take time and very close
watchfulness before we learn to adapt
our expenditures to our present income
The family now prepared to separate
for the night, understanding that after
the visit TO Eustace's place the course to
be adopted would be definitely settled.
Toward the close of the evening Gren-
vile aroused himself to take part in the
general conversation, but it was with a
visible effort.
Eustace bade them an affectionate
good night, but Jasper's preoeeupied
manner could not be concealed. Rose
fingered with him for few moments in
the hall, and on returning to the family
said anxiously;
81 can't learn what ails Jasper. Some
thing annoys or troubles him, and can
not prevail upon him to trust me with it,
/ should feel really yexed with him did
not think 1t was some home sorrow he
was trying to conceal, because he thinks
we have our share just now"
"Would he give you no reason for his
irritable, restless manner, which we all |
remarked:"