Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1897-02-25
CHAPTER XIII

speculation rife in Thorburns' house
az to what would DO the final rea''
the engagement into which Patrlee
Laugherne had entered II need
scarcely be said that Ned was not one
OF the Spectators verbally. But the
mother and daughter held many an ex-
haustive conversation on the subject.
Deeply packed away in one OF the
warmest corners Of her heart Mrs,
Thorburn hal an Old romance. Long
years ago. when she was rosy-cheek-
cd, bright brunette cher children IN
herited their blond beauty from their
father, who had been likened to a Morse
god by poeticdlly minded friends) she
had met Capt. Kelly at a ball the flrst
time he had assumed a lieutenants I'M
form They had danced and supped
and fallen in love together But he
was a service man, with nothing but
his pay; she vas one of the daughters
Of a poor vicar, and Mr.. Thor
burn was sound in mind, body ana es-
tate.
They were both old now-the widow
Of the sound and handsome Thorburn,
and the naval man about whose blue
grey eyes. brown hair and fine tgure
she had weayed her first romance. But
now that he had fallen upon evil days
her heart went out to him and his step
child very tenderly again, and she
weared herself into sleeplessness
through the long watches Of the night
as foolish women, young and old,
viii weary themselvcs-in constructing
and refusing innumerable plans for
substantially benefting and sweetly
smoothing the rough path of her old
friend and his daughter,
That poor child has implicit trust
IN Mr. Graham" she remarked to her
son one day, in bIissful Inconsistencies
q the fact she stated being exceedingly
dstasteful to him.
"As she's going to marry him, per-
haps it's Just as well that she should
have implicit trust in him. ann not
going to marry him and therefore
haven't the slightest hesitation in say
ing that | wouldn't trust him about
anything a yard farther than | could
see him"
"Oh, Ned! It's not like you to be so
uncharitablel At the same time
think her confidence Is misplaced, "
the old lady said rather eagerly. lie
has this good appC lntment and large
income. yet he let's Patrice go on maxi
ing her poor little economical plans as
II he had no interest in her future"
He's a shifty scamp. but you don I
mean that he is likely to throw Miss
Laugherne over, dc you. mother?'
He spoke almos, fercely, yet at the
same time he could not repress a throb
OF guilty JOY at the prospect OF Patrice
freed by any means from the letters
she loved so dearly.
1T Will hurt her but It will be hurt
that will soon be healed when she real
ICES that he's rot worth it," he thought,
and the reflection showed that though
he was very clever young man he
had not exactly gaugeG Patrice's char
acter.
II don't know about throwing her
over, but he is very lax indeed about
e. He has takeu a nat--a luxurious
little bachelor Hat in Victoria man
sions, and Patrice Is making prepar-
ations for move IN the country.
am afraid that Mr. Graham is q very
selfish young man, or he would not let
The poor child face poverty and the
world alone when he could so well take
care OF her AMI the dear old captain |
wish We couli have them TO live with
us the old lady went on, TREMENDOUSLY
II love her like daughter and he Is a
very dear old friend"
God bless you for the thought.
mother" he said. heartily. But though
his heart beat wildly at the idea Of hav-
ing Patrice safe under the roof with his
own people no would not permit him
self the luxury OF encouraging the idea
and giving jt form and substance
When Shol.o Graham said he "hated
a spare room, patricc had agreed with
him iuEeuuously.
FL quite understand that a spare
room might be a nuisance until we can
very well AFFORD to have people staying
with us But papa must have a room,
and | think he won't like a Hat. He
can only get out for little tiny walks
] wish we could have a house with Il
zardeu for HIN Re pott r about in" She
said IN absolute fond faith.
My dear girl Wha, are YOU talking
about2 You don't suppose for mo-
mcut that l am going To handicap my
a'f q starting in the race for life by
establishing Capt, Kelly as a perma-
nant unpaying guest in my house.
Sur Sholto"
/ Don't De- unreasonable. Patnea.
What would my home be like il MY
wlfes whole tme were to be devoted
+ 10 the care eff half-imbecle old man ?
shall wan. ivory penny Of my income
q order th. Sc may keep UP appear
mces tha. win justify the interest
Sir Andrew iwHuap has taken in me.
have alrel III suggested "A provision
cor Capt Kelly