Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-07-10

CNN0(h\1 ing the time Wnll'
l held myself aloo
from him l passed
through many stages of sorrow, but
believe my anger was greater than my
grief. I was but nineteen years OF age
but I fancy that my thoughts and ideas
were in advance of my years. Inc
curious, almost solitary, life which
had led for so many years at Herstal
Abbey no doubt conduced to make me
older than l really was. Till the time
came for me to go to Oxford, saw little
of any one save my supposed father,
my tutor, and the servants of the house.
But latterly all had changed for the
better. 1 had been two terms at the
university. l had made many friends.
Life was just opening to me; new,
fresh life, full of pleasure and excite
ment. l found myself fairly popular
with my fellows. l was we'll supplied
with money. l was looked upon as an
only 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
him-that instead Of being young Mr..
Lorraine Of Herstal Abbey, I was no one!
l remember how, shortly before he
told me the tale Of the shipwreck, I
had been discoursing in a somewhat
arrogant, self-satisfied and glib man
ner 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, I was giving my sup
posed father a hash-up of q speech
which had heard at the Union.
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
full arrogance must have been ire
sistible to Mr.. Lorraine. From child
had noted this cruel trait in his char
acter. I had noticed it with servants,
such acquaintances 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 I thought him my father,
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 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. AS |
raise my eyes from my paper and
glance through my window, l can al
most see his grave.
In the afternoon I went in search of |
him; found him reading in the
library. He nodded as l entered, then
to his book and finished the
well, Julian?" he said, as signal
that he was at my service.
81 have been thinking over what you
.old me last night, Mr.. Lorraine"
He raised his dark eyebrows as he
heard me address him this wise. Till
now I had generally used the old
fashioned Sir" sometimes, not often,
father"
81 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
new I said hotly.
"Ah! yes; greatly, no doubt.
wonder what you would have been
1ow?"
Tell me what am now"
80 far as know, young man of 10,
thoroughly well educated, cookbook
ng, full of church and state principles.
Why, the rector stopped me yesterday,
and assured me you were one of the
finest young fellows he ever knew;
lutte a credit to the county"
This banter seemed to stab me.
Tell me, sir" said, fought to thank
you for what you have done for me?"
Personally, l hate expressions Of
gratitude; but if it gives you any salts
action, thank me by all means"
mo; do not thank you. Had you
placed me in some humble position
suited to my birth, and let me make
ny way in the world, could have
banked you. But for years to let me
De called your son; why did you do it,
,ir?"
II had some reason at tfe tirre I