Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1896-07-23

through many stages of sorrow, but
believe my anger was greater than my
grief. I was but nineteen years OF age
but fancy that my thoughts and ideas
we're in advance Of my years. The
curious, almost solitary, life which
had led for so many years at Herstal
T Abbey no doubt conduced to make me
older than really was. Till the time
tame for me to go to Oxford, saw little
Sf any one save my supposed father
ny tutor, and the servants Of the house
But latterly all had changed for the
better. had been two terms at the
University. I had made many friends.
Life was just opening to me; a new,
fresh life, full of pleasure and excite
nent. I found myself fairly popular
with my fellows. l was we'll supplied
with money. was looked upon as an
Dnly son, and heir to fine property. In
short my lot seemed to be one in ten
thousand.
And that moment Mr.. Lorraine had
chosen to reveal to me the secret of my
lowly birth. To dash me from the
pedestal upon which he had placed me.
TO show me that had no claim upon
aim-that instead Of being young Mr..
Lorraine Of Herstal Abbey, was no one!
/ remember how, shortly before he
told me the tale Of the shipwreck, 1
had been discoursing in a somewhat
arrogant, self-satistied and glib man
Aer as to the duties incumbent on old
families and landed gentry; asserting
that the existence Of the aristocracy
was an unmitigated blessing to the
land. In fact, was giving my sup
posed father a hash-up Of a speech
which I had heard at the Union. 1
thought my sentiments gave him salts
faction. He smiled and looked amused.
No doubt he was amused, so amused
that the demon of sarcasm rose within
him, and hurried on the revelation
which he may or may not have intended
should be made. The temptation to
prick the bladder inflated by my youth
4Ii arrogance must have been ire
sistible to Mr.. Lorraine. From a child
had noted this cruel trait in his char
Rcter. had noticed 1t with servants,
such acquaintance as he had, and with
myself, The way Of listening, of even
leading one on to talk, and then sud-
denly, by biting piece Of sarcasm,
crushing the unlucky speaker. 1t was
from this and kindred actions that,
even while thought him my father, l
did not love the man.
Nor did he love me. Had he loved me
ever so little, he would have kept the
secret, and spared me my present hui
initiation. So, in spite Of all he had |
done for me, my anger rose and burned |
against Julian Lorraine.
may have been wrong; but, as will
be soon discovered, was full of faults.
Perhaps the very association, more or
less, during twelve years with a man
of Mr.. Loraine's stamp must develop
faults
There! Let me write no more to his
detriment. He worked me evil, and
be worked me good. He is dead. ASH
raise my eyes from my paper and
glance through my window, can al
most see his grave.
In the afternoon went in search Of
him; found him reading in the
library. He nodded as l entered, then
to his book and finished the
paragraph.
well, Julian?" he said, as a signal
that he was at my service.
Il have been thinking over what you
told me last night, Mr.. Lorraine"
He raised his dark eyebrows as he
heard me address him this wise. Till
now had generally used the old
fashioned Sir" sometimes, not often,
father"
I hate changes, Julian" he said.
AS you know, the old landed gentry
ire rooted to old customs"
Even at that moment he could not
orego his sarcasm. My cheek flushed.
"See how you have changed life for
nep 1 said holly.
"Ah! yes; greatly no doubt. I
Wonder what you would have been
low?" ,
"Tell me what 1 am now"
80 far as know, a young man of 10
thoroughly we'll educated, good-look-
ng, full Of church and state principles.
Why, the rector stopped me yesterday.
nd assured me you were one of the ,
lnest young fellows he ever knew; :
ute a credit to the county"
This banter seemed to stab me. I
Tell me, sir" I said, Ought 1 to thank q
ou for what you have done for me?" s
personally, I hate expressions Of |
ratitude; but IL 1t gives you any salts +
action, thank me by all means" G
NO; l do not thank you. Had you [
laced me in some humble position I
uited to my birth, and let me make
" way in the world, 1 could have r
banked you. But for years to let me r
called your son; why did you do it, A
Il had some reason at the time. I $
most forget It." n