Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-08-15
CHAPTER II-(ContinuedJ

CHAPTER II-(Continued.)
Here Esme laughed Historically, ano
at once brought the whole storm upon her
unlucky head, and acted as a kind of
lightning conductor to Mrs Brabazon's
wrath.
You laugh! You dare to laugh, miss!
But it is only what could expect from
you. believe you were in his confidence,
and knew all about it. I'm sure you en-
couraged him in his abomnable conduct
Iou and he have always been a heavy
trial to me. You had letter this morn
ing; be so good as to hand it over"
Il cannot, Mrs. Brabazon," replied
Esme. TREMENDOUSLY; ''it-it-is private"
glancing appealingly at her stepmother.
And full Of abuse Of me. no doubt.
Well, you may keep it," making virtue of
necessity, "and make much Of it, for it
is the last you will receive! Every other
l find in the post bag l shall burn. Mark
my words! into the fire it goes
'Florian and Gussie," said Esme, tim.
idly, glancing from her brother to her
sister. 'are neither Of you going to say
anything? Won't you speak for TeddyT r.
she asVd. piteously, ''or is it to be left
to me? Mrs. Brabazon, surely you can
not forget that Teddy is our brother. and
will always be SO as long as he lives. He
is not dead to us-at least, he is not dead
to me-and l hope he will be spared for
the next fifty years. / think it only right
and honorable to tell you that will new
er give him up, that shall write to him
and receive his letters, and meet him
and speak to him whenever I get the
chance! His being soldier makes no
difference whatever; he is my brother all
the same. 1t was not his fault he could
thS b. h Ha1
much to be a soldier"
What do you say to this TRADE, Au-
gusta?" demanded Mrs. Brabazon. turn
ing on Gussie with portentous frown.
Il think it is all very dreadful about
Ted. of course" she stammered; "but he
is my brother" looking hard at Esme,
as though endeavoring to borrow some of
her spirit.
"And ysu, FlorianY' demanded Mrs.
Brabazon, in an awful, hollow voice.
''Oh, if you want my opinion" returned
that gentleman, carefully stirring his tea,
Il think Ted is confOunded ass, and
has made a regular fool of himself, and
all that sort of thing, and lis no end of a
bore. l would pass him now il met him
in the street." pulling up his collar as he
spoke, and feeling that he was q very
important, dignifed. illustrious young
man.
"Oh, Flor exclaimed his youngest sis
ter, reproachfully.
''Now, you have your brothers opinion,
Esme, the opinion Of the head of the
house, 1 hope you are satisfied" said
Mrs. Brabazon, with malicious triumph.
"You see he is, as usual, quite of my way
of thinking! If Teddy had behaved re-
spectfully, 1 know that Florian would
have done something for him, and used
his interest with his influential friends;
he has always been such a good, generous
brother"
Thus Teddy fell into disgrace with his
people; his name was erased from the
family roll, and written down instead in
nearly everyone's black book.
Two years passed by, and during these
two years there have been some little
changes even at Baronsford. Esme was
now nineteen, prettier than ever, but stiff
and shy in general society. Gussie, on
the contrary, seemed born for the social
circle, was always the center Of little
knot of swains on these occasions, and
had played havoc with the affections Of
several susceptible young men. Mrs.
Brabazon still frequented stately houses
and stately dinner tables, and had saved
a sum of money that would have made
Miss Jane exclaim most unaccountable,
had she seen her bankers book. lime
has not stood still with Teddy. Here
Is his last letter. 1t lies on the school
room table beside Esme:
..From Troop Sergeant Brown, York, to
Miss E. Brabazon:
my Dear Esme-Always the culpritl
YOU need not tell me that. I've written
to Won at least ten times in imaginationi
long letters, too, but l suppose that does
not count l have news for you, gooo
news. You know that for a long time l
was instructor in the riding school, and
now I am promoted to be troop sergeant,
which. by the way. 1 suppose Is Greek
to you, old lady; but l dare say your
mind can grasp the word promotion. !
am getting up the ladder at last. Tie
colonel hinted to me the other day that
IL went on as l had commenced he
wouId be happy to recommend me Tor
commission; SO we begin to see daylight.
7 hone to see you early in the autumn
before we embark for foreign service; we
orc mkt on the roster. l shall come
Am and lie perdue at Mother Swoffer's;
- ,rould never do for you to be seen
arading about in public with sergeant
pS iancers. 1t will be a case of meet
VI hy moonlight alone but that will be
hn.tor than nothing. Only fancy, Esme,
Tya NOT spoken to a lady for two years.
Give my love to Gussle ana Aunl 1une
n yon know that she sent me t2o lately
IN very grabbed little ietter' never
mind. she shall be proud OF me YET.
your anee TEDDY B."