The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-05-23


casions, to come all the way from Rye
lands to ask Mildred's opinion upon
certain subjects.
Mildred at home and Mildred abroad
were very different persons. She was
most capable Of loving, but her unfort-
innate GOODNESS Of demeanor prevented
TINS from being universally acknowl-
edged. Only her own people knew her
tender, loving heart, and returned her
affection in kind.
There were two other boys, mere
youngsters, named George and Ernest
VINO were at present undergoing the
discipline of school in some distant
shire.
Sir George had discovered. some
years previously, that he was not as
we'll up in this worlds goods as a man
mad need to be with seven growing
up children. But at the time he had
put the evil thought behind him and
considered 1t no more, until about a
year back, when several circumstances
had happened again to force it upon
MS memory. Debts somehow had be-
gun 10 accumulate of late years, and
now began to declare themselves with
very d1sagreeable openness. The fam
Ivy lawyer shook his head solemnly:
and Sir George in self-defense went
nome, and having sold two of his
tavorlte hunters most disadvanta-
geously, walked about his farm, doing
gloomy penance, and was cross to his
WIFE for the first time for number
of years.
But this state of things only lasted
d very few days indeed, and at the
END OF that time, his third hunter hay
ing fallen lame, one of those disposed
OF was bought back again, at a very
dlHerent price from that paid for it to
or George, and presently the other
followed suit; after which their master
gave up the gloomy penance, to tn.
great relief of the household at King,
Abbott, who We're considerably put out
by 1t, and having kissed his wife. did
not go round the farm for several
days.
Lady Caroline of course soon discoy-
cred that they were in difficulties-fn-
deed Sir Georges face was incapable
OF eoncealing secret-and these two
women, in mammals" boudoir. dis
cusslng probabilities and improbable
ties. and the selling of 'papa's" hunt
ers, until Mildred at length suggested
mat the annual visit to London should
be given up-for this year at all
events.
The Trevanions were determined
also to follow up their lately begun
economical designs by having a quiet
autumn and winter at home. and had
actually made up their minds. with
Spartan heroism, not even to invite
their usual number of friends for the
hunting season at Kings Abbott, when
there reached them the unlucky letter
from the Younges, saying how much
the head of the family desired to see
the friend Of his boyhood-namely. Sir
George.
This letter put full stop to all their
plans, and was looked upon as brain
blow in more ways than one, as not
only did it insure an expensive win
ter, but, what was worse, upon exam
ination it was discovered that these
friends of Sir Georges youth were
most dlsreputable in their antecedents.
having been in trade. A cotton mer-
chant! 1t sounded horrible! Cotton
could not possibly mean anything but
low birth, and low birth of course
meant vulgarity.
Lady Caroline groaned in spirit, and
thought dismally of what the Deyer-
ills and the Blounts and the Stanleys
would say, finally going off to consult
with her prime minister Mildred.
1T is all over" she began; "they
must be asked.'
II never heard of such thing in
my life." said Miss Trevanion. ut is
perfectly indecent-their asking them
selves here. But what can one expect
from such people? Good gracious,
mamma, fancy a cotton merchant! It
quite makes me SILVER. How many
of them are there?"
-Four" answered her mother. Gath
er, mother, daughter and son."
amy more?" inquired Mildred, sar-
castically.
mo. no more. Do you not think
four too many?" asked Lady Caroline
with surprise in her life, good
soul, could she understand anything
approaching sarcasm. "Of course, now
they are coming, Mildred, We must
only make the best Of it, although
do wish it had been wine instead of
cotton-it is SO much more respectable
and wish also that Miss Rachel
Younge and her brother were not COM
ing"
What is his name?" Mildred de-
manded.
"Denzil. believe-yes, Denzil
Younge."
What pity they didn't call him
Brigham Younge when they were
about it," Miss Trevanion said; and
then they both laughed.
How can you be so absurd?" Lady
Caroline exclaimed; afterward chang
ing her tone to one of entreaty, she
said. "But, really, you know, darling.
we must be very civil to them, if only
to please your papa. You will prom
Use to be that, Mildred, will you not?"
II suppose could not go to Aunt
Agnes for the next two months, could
II" Mildred asked, irrelevantly.
"Oh. Mildred" cried poor Lady Car
oline. tears coming into her eyes at
the mere idea Of being thus deserted