Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1893-12-11
CHAPTER VII.

ing the evening to forget the intimations
George had given them respecting JAS
per's predictions. They struggled faith
fully against suspicion and would have
rejoiced to be convinced that they had
been mistaken. But that Grenville had
come to them that evening laden with
some disquiet which he was anxious to
conceal was too apparent, and that Rose
was disturbed and made uncertain by it
was also equally manifest.
After all were seemingly calm Mr..
Newton again referred to Dunbar's prop
osition and acknowledged that they had
always INDUCED the hope that some time
they might retire from the city and de-
vote their last days to just such pursuits
as were now open to them.
But present indications portended a
year Of strife. and any day might see our
country involved in all the horrors Of
civil war. Was it wise, therefore, to
enter upon an occupation that would be
difficult to manage, particularly should
such calamity come upon us? He then
acknowledged that every scheme which
had risen before his mind as desirable
had been checked in the outset by the
steadily increasing conviction that the
arrogance of the south was fast taking
such shape as would compel the north
to meet it with the strong arm of law, if
hot with military force.
For moment Grenville's face was in
dicative of such intense and passionate
emotion that it very nearly mastered
him, bSs his eye quailed before Mr.. New
toms stesdy look, and Georges attitude
greatly iisconcerted him.
Most fortunate for him, Ralph had
drawn Iose's affection to himself, and
neither remarked his strange excitement,
but It was sad confirmation of the par
ents' fear for their daughters future.
Nor could they fail to notice that while
Dunbar's countenance evinced sorrow
there was no mark of surprise. Lillians
fears were also awakening, and Georges
indignation could hardly be controlled.
A sign from his father of warning-a1
most of entreaty- restoredh his coIsposure
sufficiently to escape Roses notice as she
suddenly exclaimed:
s'Ralph says he will accept Eustaces
offer Of plowboy's place, only, by the
way, until he gees if our country shall
heed him in less peaceful field"
'sOh, my children" said Mrs. Newton,
1do not give utterance to such thought.
Wait, hoping that God will restrain the
folly of our misguided brethren and keep
as all in peace. Should our country need
any of you there will be no Withholding
the most precious. But the time is not
yeti"
mo, my dear wife, not yet, but any
lan Oh N
rs, and it is wise in whatever form it
pared. Still my impression is that we
may manage to bring the farming
scheme into some definite shape. OF
course, Eustace, you and / will enter
moro fully into details after l have had
a day or two to think upon it.
Zone week will bring everything to
close here and leave us free to enter up
on other labor; therefore you had better
take Lillian and her mother out to the
place on Monday and learn if all is in
habitable order and bring back full
report. Should everything be favorable
you and will have an agreement drawn
up that will be satisfactory to both,
guarding my pride and your affection
from collision
'sOf course this is but q rough draft
and very crude. Reflection may greatly
modify and perhaps compel us to relin-
quish it altogether, but as have rough
ly sketched i how does the idea of this
new life please you all?'
1T would ask nothing better, my hus-
band. If I remember Alright, we cannot
fail to make labor pleasure in such
spot"
Il am sure it will not take long to
make my hands acquainted with real Ia
bor," said George, land would serious
~ 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 | shall
cheerfully find you active employment
in q few days, for we can afford no loiter
ing now
sWell, father, you may as well find
work for Alfred and me at the same
time said Ralph. I'VE have no inten-
ton Of being the idle ones, assure you"
My son, cannot yet bring my mind
to allow either of you to leave your stud
les till your full course is finished. =
"Excuse me, father; cannot consent
to that delay. mean to begin with you
at the very beginning, and I believe
love study sufficiently to promise that
my evenings and leisure hours shall be
employed in continuing the course ! am
now on
II am sure you could, but am very
reluctant"
THAT is to say said Rose, seating
herself on a footstool by her fathers knee
and smiling roguishly up into his face,
ssour 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"
ssWell, Lilly, that is the most respect
ful way to state it and I must own the