The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-02-10

oiu 1iihes, there must De new uePdituiC Z
at once. Mrs. Holt may take her home,
and we will go and fetch her here by force
and have no more anxiety about it. It's
flying in the face of Providence to break
up family like this for mere whim.f
''Oh, my dearest boy exclaimed her
ladyship, sorrowfully. 'You know it is
a great grief to us all, but 1 can't help it.
| have done all | could, and have secured
our dear Doris for some time at least, when
if | had been more grasping, we might
have lost her altogether
aYes, mother, dear, | know; but it's
too bad. If Doris goes away, we cant
tell if it will ever be the same again"
"Oh, Jack, dear" said Doris, ''it will be
just the same. | shall always be here in
my holidays (long ones, too, and it was
always in holidays that we had our best
times here before, and even now we are
never sure of being all together except
the old holiday time. -
"That's very wise, Dolly" said Minna;
sbat it won't be SO jolly, for US, for its
been all holiday lately, so far as having you
goes.
"Well, my dear children, don't let us
meet our trouble halfway. 1t generally
ends in tears and temper somewhere when
we talk about this in public"
"Heigho p said Jack, rising. This is
a jolly place. Come and help me to put
Fop to bed
And they went out as of old, round by
picturesque ways to the stable regions, and
were happy and merry again.
The next day was the last of Jack
present visit, and, in accordance with i'm
memorial usage, they intended to spend it
in long lazy day in the neighboring woods
But at breakfast their plan was upset
Lady Glumglass had notice of the visit Of
brother-in-law, who proposed coming in
time for lunch and leaving by an evening
train from the neighboring station.
"Oh, he might have come any other day, u
said Alice. "Of course he must come and
spoil Jacks last day"
Now Mr.. Wescot, for that was his name
was not generally looked upon as an un:
welcome guest anywhere, and though a
cherished plan was spoiled by his arrival
he soon talked away the disappointment,
even from the mind of Alice. and when
they strolled out after lunch in the park,
they scarcely felt the addition of com-
parative stranger to their party. Mr.
Wescot devoted himself most to Doris, and
in the course of their ramble he contrived
to have good deal of conversation with
her, seemingly much to his qualification,
Before leaving he talked alone with Lady
Glumglass, and Jack, having driven him
to the station, was in turn admitted to a
private audience of her ladyship.
He learned that, as he had half suspect
ed, Mr. Wescot had come down for the
purpose of seeing Doris, and, having seer
her, was exceedingly anxious to secure her
as companion for his two daughters. These
motherless girls were now in Germany
with an aunt and governess, who would
probably remain there when they returned
in the Spring. So, subject to contingen.
cies, it had been arranged that Doris should
remain in peace until it was definitely set.
tied about the return of the Wescots
Even Jack saw how good an arrangement
this was. 1t insured Doris an uninterrupt.
ed stay of about six months more with
them; and the engagement with the Yves.
cots was such that even he could find nc
flaw in It beyond its original sin of com.
plying with Mrs. aolts absured desire.
Still the settlement of the problem made
Jack feel sorry, and the realization of a
change in their little circle made him rather
gloomy on his last evening.
"Jack, where have you been? You
said you were coming to have farewell
chat by the fre?" asked hinna, when he
Joined them in the school-room so-called.
Jack looked rather grave, and a trife
mysterious, and his dark eyes rested on
Doris with an inquiring glance, which
broke into an atfectionate SMILE when she
looked up and met his gaze.
FWell, my dear Minna, I've been talk
ing with auntie on matter of some i'm
portance.
'Oh, how grand Jacks business must
be something wonderful. What was it,
Jack, dear" And Minna changed from
q tone of banter to one of coaxing, not
liking the idea of JACK leaving them to
talk about mysterious business, which they
must not know.
"Oh, a wonderful secret; you couldn't
understand it.
'What nonsense, Jack p said Alice.
+" As if you could understand anything that
We couldn't He's only been getting moth
er to find the places in Bradshaw for him,
He's so stupied !"
'Now, | said it was something you
children couldn't understand. You don't
believe me, Alice. Very well; it was about
German grammar.
Now, Alice was proverbially unable to
master German grammar.
Jack, you wretch, I'll tumble your
hair" And she did.
dolly, helpr' he cried, but cried in
vain. for she Joined his foes, and romp
ensued which would not have disgraced