Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-02-25
CHAPTER XIII

the engagement into which Patr1ce
Laugherne had entered. 1t need
scarcely be said thai 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 had an Old romance. Long
years ago. whom she was roSy-cneek-
ed, bright brunette cher children IN
herited their blond beauty from their
father, who had been likened to Morse
god by POLITICALLY minded friends), she
had met Capt. Kelly at a ball the first
time he had assumed a lieutenant's I'M
form. They had darced and suppeu
and fallen in love together. But he
was q service man, with nothing bu,
his pay; she was one of the daughters
of a poor vicar, and Mr.. ThuI-
burn was sound in mind, body and es-
tate.
They were both ole now-the widow
of the sound and handsome Thorburn
and the naval man about whose blue
grey eyes, brown hair and fine figure
she had weaved her first romance. But
now that he had fallen upon evil days
her heart went out Jc him and his step
child very tenderly again, and she
wearied herself iEtc sleeplessness
through the long watches of the night
as foolish women, young and old,
will weary themselves-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 blissful unconsciousness
of the fact she stated being exceedingly
distasteful to him
AS she's going to marry him, pei
haps it's just as we'll that she should
have implicit trust in him. [ ann not
going to marry him and therefore l
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 50
uncharitablet At the same time,
think her confidence is misplaced, "
the old lady said, rather eagerly. He
has this good appC intment and large
income, yet he lets Patrice go on MAX
ing her poor little economical plans as
if he had no interest in her future"
He's a shifty scamp, but you don t
mean that he is likely to throw Miss
Laugherne over, Dc you, mother?"
He spoke almoso fGrcely, 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.
ut will hurt her but it will be a 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 gagged Patrice's char
acter.
Il don't know about throwing her
over, but he is very lax indeed about
it. He has taken flat-a luxurious
little bachelor fiat in Victoria man
ations for a move in the country. I
am afraid that Mr.. Graham is a very
selfish young man, CT he would not let
the poor child face poverty and the
world alone when he could so we'll take
care Of her and the dear old captain. |
wish we could have them to live with
us" the old lady went on, TREMENDOUSLY
L, :,
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, he would not permit him
self the luxury of encouraging the idea
and giving it form and substance.
When Sholto Graham said he hated
a spare ROOM Patrice had agreed with
him ENORMOUSLY.
81 quite understand that a spare
room might be nuisance until we can
very well afford to have people staying
with us. But papa must have a room,
and I think he won't like a fiat. He
can only get out for little tiny walks.
I wish we could have a house with a
garden for him to potter about in she
said in absolute fond faith
My dear girl! What are you talking
about? You don't suppose for a mo-
ment that am going to handicap my
self at starting in the race for life by
establishing Capt, Kelly as a perma-
nent unpaying guest in my house?''
But Sholto-"
Don't be unreasonable, Patrice
| What would my home be like if my
wife's whole time we're to be devoted
to the care of a half-imbecile old man
| shall want every penny of my income
in order that we may keep up appear
ances that will justify the interest
! Sir Andrew Gwenap has taken in me
I have already suggested a provision
! for Capt. Kelly"
Don't suggest it again. she inter.
rupted. Your income wouldn't be
! drawn upon for the maintenance o.
my dear father Ny two hundred g
year would more than amply supply
all his wants and would make him sc
/ happy in his way, my dear, deal
! father
"Of counse l have beer CALCULATING
on that two hundred year partially
! dressing you"
Partially dressing me! Now it i:
you who are unreasonable and talking
! nonsense, Sholto. I don't spend {
quarter of it in dress"
That's all very we'll while you art
! Miss Laugherne, but when you art