Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-01-23
MERTON'S FOLLY.
fConyright. 1906. i

AL the countryside knew Merton's Fol.
the monumental witness Of proud
ans sore discontinue Hugh Merton
ID begun 1t as home for his BRIDE He
hs 80, rich and gruff-of the dour, hold
st Scotch strain that saves and grinds
hd thrives where softer souls would
hrve. He had shaken hands with trade
bd it's moiling and meant to live gentle
an in the big castolated stone dwelling
bon this fair hilltop with Marian Eyre
r his wife. She was sweet and 90 II
eature of sunshine, with lips made for
wing and n soul quick to learn loves
sting lesson.
Hugh Merton though, was not her
acher. She said yes to his suit, as be-
me dutiful daughter when her father
her know of the rich mans flattering
reference. She even smiled at her sutton
hen he slid costly ring on her finger,
1t when no mado to kiss her she waved
m aside.
"Only when am your wife," she said,
pr eyes dropping over the word. Hugh
erton went away chuckling happily. 1t
othed and suited his pride thus to be held
oof. He could trust her safely with his
,me and fame, notwithstanding tho 80
cSCrt years between tnem
Judge, then, what he felt, this enam-
ed poor rich man, when no awoke one
ho morning to find Marian Nono with a
Juggling artist lover of whom Merton
I'd not even condescended to be jealous.
hen word came to Merton, ut first it
oked as though he might fall in fit.
hen he pulled himself handsomely to-
bthcr and wrote to Marian, sending her
pearls he had meant for his latest we'd
Ing gift.
People thought he would console him
II then and looked to see the castle given
bother mistress. But in month it was
ut up, exactly as 1t stood. Boards filed
bors and windows; tho gate was nailed
ard and fast shut; tho owner of it went
hck to tho narrow red brick suburban
buso which had been home to him since
set foot in the county.
That was 30 years back and still tho
oily stood untouched except that there
as new fence about it-stronger, taller
I'D moro forbidding than the old
Hugh Merton was "old Hugh" now, but
stiff, as straight, as forbidding In his
vontics as when no planned to take u
ife. Marian had gone with her husband
lt into the big world. Tho narrow pro-
ncial one had quito lost track Of her.
There was some mystery about tho
oscd mansion. Periodically, at long in
rivals, tho nailed gate was opened, wheels
ont through 1t, and something cumbrous
as lifted out and stored in tho empty
ont hall. Nobody ever saw the transfers
oser than from tho road, and tho mon
no made them found silence concerning
hcm so golden they had no mind to break
One day there was n great ado in tho
Pwn. Marian had come back with her
fist husband--a man prematuroly old
I'D bowed. No, they had never suffered,
10 told her friends. 1t was odd-cvcry
cture had been sold as soon as painted,
mt after that it had vanished. And as no.
Ddy could SEQ his work and comment
pom it of course Eton's had not come to
(me. The buyers had been various, tho
rices uniformly low. Somehow it had
ben impossible for them to accumulate
Dough to refuse an offered purchase. At
Fst they had laughed over it, Elton saying
Is good fairy spirited the pictures away to
AXE the demand for them brisker. BY
hd by 1t had grown n serious thing. He
bid haggled, had drawn back, STIMULATING
at his best things should have n decent
lowing, but in the end he was always
aten He had lost heart and hope. 1t
as that which was killing him moro than
ortal disease.
He was dying. Nobody could doubt that
ho saw him, weak and wasted, lettering
bside Marian out into tho sunlight. Once
Icy met old Hugh rolling by in his car
age. Ho bowed gravely, and Marian TO-
rned the salutation with equal decorum
A month after he set the world ngog by
fgging to be allowed to give the invalid .
rive. "YOu will go, too. of course" ho
hid to Marian. She would have demurred
ut her husbands face forbade 1t was
filing hot He pincd for air and motion
he could deny nothing to the wan eager
ess Of his eyes.
All day they drove, stopping beside u
bring in the deep green country to lunch
I'D rest tho horses
Old Hugh showed throughout the incest
burtesy. AS they set their faces home
ard he sank into deep musing. Presently
spoke low aside to the coachman, then
I'D to Marian, sitting very upright and
ting her narrowly:
1--WE will stop at the new house. I want
blu both to SEQ what Is inside Merton q
oily"
Marian began to protest, but her hus-
hnd cut her short.
II always told You you should ride in a
Arriage before I died, Marian, and now
be carriage is not mine She tried to
ush him. If old Hugh heard, he made
sign.
II think I have some things that will
hn tA 1
opping was discussed. "Thorc are boxes
carvings from India and Italy that it
as never worth while to put in place and
>me other trifles you may care for, ;" smil-
Big inscrutably over the last words.
Marian's heart gave great bound as shc
epped over the threshold. The great
Doorway had been opened fully. Low,
to sunshine streamed within to max,
lain all the contents Of the big, sky light
hall.
At sight Of them Elton gave a great cry
nd fell upon his knees, passing weak
nnds over the fat, square and squarsl
acking cases full of foreign labels.
"My pictures! My dear pictures You
ave themP' he moaned. "You have my
70, my soul. You bought and shut it VI
ere.'
Marian tried to raise and hurry him
way. She, too, recognized the familiar
markings, tho boxes whose going away
hey had at first rejoiced over and latoI
bme to dread. 1t was old Hugh's revenge
bus to stife and crush those who had
alked him. He stood opposite them now,
Is face decorously impassive, his heart
Ill of gloating triumph.
Let me help you. He has tainted" he
I'D as Eton's hoad fell inert upon Ma
ans shoulder. AS they bore him to the