Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-09-05

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CHAPTER vi.
Eustace was with the family at the
evening meal. % important to the New
tons, and met the revelation which LII.
lian conveyed to him - true hearted
son should do. While at tea Grenville
was announced. Rose excused herself.
preferring TO zee her lover alone before
Joining the family In the library. Some
time elapsed before they appeared. and
then Jasper expressed his sympathy with
sincerity and earnestness that could
leave no doubt Of the real interest he felt
| in the toys or sorrows Of the family.
Yet George, with his perception sharp
ened by previous knowledge, discerneds
restless nervousness that betokened some
deeper source Of uneasiness than the
subject now before them, and from
Roses mood he thought she herself had
detected something unnatural In his
manners.
When all were seated after supper.
Mr.. Newton entered at once upon the
subject under considerations and briefly
narrated the substance Of that which has
already been told,
"And now. my dear ones, we are In no
danger Of interruption this evening. and
here no separate interests need prevent
each from expressing his or her opinion
with perfect freedom. Dunbar and Grer.
vile, you have cast In your lot with rs 30
far us to mako 1t very proper and desira-
ble for your views to be heard with the
Others. But, my dear friends, remember
you are not bound to cling to fallen
fortunes"
Surely" interrupted Eustace. ''my
Lilly has lost no grace for which have
loved her these many years by your d.
minished wealth, has she? All. she is
only the more precious, and II could
only make II apparent that 1t might DO
best to hasten our marriage could re.
joice In your trials II ] had not learned
to love the parents almost as much as
the promised bride"
"Although I cannot boast love OF
many years, rs can Dunbar" said Gren-
Vile, with unusual hesitation, ~ think 1t
will defy any Of fortunes vicissitudes. ]
had heard some intimation Of these trou'
bles before came and hastened hither
to urge you to shorten these two long
years, and as Dunbar seems meditatinga
similar petition am hopeful Of success"
All this appeared right and natural.
but why should Jasper, usually SO free
and open In conversation, manifest an
embarrassment 20 foreign to his nature?
George evidently does not trust him, and
even Rose Is iii at ease.
These thoughts passed rapidly through
Mr.. Newton's mind while Jasper was
speaking, and q dull pain was at his
heart. but concealing 1t he quietly re-
piled:
Thanks for your steadfast interest In
me and mine. But I can consent to no
change to the time already fixed. Ahasty
marriage now would seem to me very
much a. II had no longer . home to
give my daughters. On the contrary, !
can surely make them comfortable,
though In style vastly inferior to their
present condition. But prefer that
there should be no separation as yet and
hope they will agree with me. We can.
not settle on any definite plan until we
are sure of how much we may claim.
But by q full conversation this evening
we can Judge somewhat how near our
several tastes may be brought into uni
son. Next week viii decide to dollar
how much we may honorably claim from
the remnant Of our possessions.
81 am very confident that we may at
least count ON 5000 clear-that Is to
say, I am sure the furniture Of the house
may safely be considered as our own
when everything Is settled. That Is
about the extent, think, Of all that can
be left us. But the furniture will easily
bring the sum I have named, perhaps
more, and yet reserve the common arti.
cles for the fitting up Of some small cot
tage. This will seem to you children
but meager amount, but II Is quite .
fortune compared with your parents be-
ginnings. And now, George, my son,
with % limited q capital let Us lear
what business would best suit your tastes
and abilities"
"why. father, I am very humble this
evening"" said the young man, laughing.
.sIt is very easy to give ones tastes and
judgments theoretically when there Is
no idea of putting them to the test. ]
feel ! would just like to put myself In
your hands, father, like little boy once
more, and ask Of you to make Of me
what you please. Twas not 30 humble
this morning, mother, when was talk
ing 10 grandly. But father can make
some use of me, know, and after creep
ing awhile I'll learn to walk like man.
| I understand the rudiments Of mercan-
tile business and am perfectly willing to
enter upon 1t, though not congenial to
my tastes, but imagine 1t viii be just
as well to leave our tastes out OF the
question and think only Of usefulness
and duty.
al have always felt that II ever set
tied In home Of my own ! would leave
tie city and buy some very beautiful
country place and be an amG eur farmer
and horticulturist. But you see, good
friends, the country seat is'not at hand
Just now, and doubt II could pay my
way In any farming operations until
have served my apprenticeship"
The inimitable hu.acr and drollery OF
bis manner were highly amusing, and Q
quick ,;lance fell of meaning passed be-
tween his father and mother. But sud-
denly NIL sportiveness vanished from
Georges face, and he continued with
much earnestness:
seriously, father. Iwould repeat what
said honestly few hours ago. Let
your children work while you counsel
and direct. ! for win gladly give all
my powers to accomplish any plan you
may deem advisable, but I do not feel
myself competent to make choice for
myself"
~ confess I sm not 20 modest a.
\ George" said Eustace, with . pleasant
mile. "I have two grand and good
plans which I am 90 proud Of that can.
not willingly let any one speak before i
have unfolded them. Have Iyour per
mission to explain them nowr' bowling
to Mr.. Newton. !,
"Oh. yes, father, lst's hear this second
Daniel" interrupted Ralph. with good
natured mockery.
"with all my heart" rejoined his Ia
ther. III wish al TO feel perfect freedom
and desire the wishes and Judgment OF
all before express my own. Yours, Lil'
liam, should have been called for hrst."