The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1893-09-08
CHAPTER VII.


per's predictions. They struggled faith
fully against suspicion and would have
rejoiced to be convinced that they had
been mistaken. But that Granville 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 a 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
not with military force.
For a moment Grenville's face was in
dicative of such intense and passionate
emotion that it very nearly mastered
him, but his eye quailed before Mr.. New
tons steady look, and Georges attitude
greatly disconnected him.
Most fortunate for him, Ralph had
drawn Roses attention to himself, and
neither remarked his strange excitement,
but it was q Fad 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. Lilian's
fears were also awakening, and Georges
indignation could hardly be controlled
A sign from his father of warning-al-
most Of ntreaty-restoredh his composure
sufficiently to escape Roses notice as she
suddenly exclaimed:
"Ralph says he will accept Eustace's
offer of plowboys place, only, by the
way, until he sees if our country shall
need him in less peaceful field"
"Oh, my children" said Mrs. Newton,
do not give utterance to such a thought
Wait, hoping that God will restrain the
folly of our misguided brethren and keep
us 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
week, any hour, the storm may be upon
us, and it Is wise in whatever form 1t
comes that we are not found unpre-
pared. Still my impression is that we
may manage to bring the farming
scheme into some definite shape. OF
course, Eustace, you and I will enter
more fully into details after have had
day or two to think upon it.
zone week will bring everything to a
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 a 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.
"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 all?"
AT Inns
band. If I remember Alright, we cannot
fail to make labor pleasure in such a
spot"
81 am sure it will not take long to
make my hands acquainted with real la
bor," said George, 'and I 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 shall
cheerfully find you active employment
in few days, for we can afford no loiter-
ing now" Z.
"Well, father, you may as well find
work for Alfred and me at the same
time" said Ralph. 1--WE 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. Imean to begin with you
at the very beginning, and ] believe 1
love study sufficiently to promise that
my evenings and leisure hours shall be
employed in continuing the coarse am
now on"
II am sure you could, but l am very
reluctant"
"That is to say" said Rose, seating
herself on footstool by her fathers knee
and smiling roguishly up into his face,
"our good papa has to battle with his
pride little on this point also"
mo, no, sister," interrupted Lillian.
"I think it is affection, not pride, that
disturbs our father"
"well, Lilly, that is the most respect
full way to state it, and I must own the
most correct one too. But, father, you
will not insist on Ralph's returning to
college when he cannot help knowing
that now. if ever, is the time when we