The Delta independent., 1901-04-26

For all that, however, calm Mildred
was more the "hearth-angel" than she
was. To her, as to their mother, came
all the boys. with the numerous griefs
and annoyances that usually beset q
schoolboys path. Charles was very
fond Of asking her advice. and Eddie
believed most firmly in her wisdom,
generally addressing her under the
title OF Minerva" Her father and
mother had few secrets from her. and
| even Florence. who was slightly self
| sufhcient and given to assert herself,
| at times. with astonishing boldness,
had been known. on two or three oc-
casions to come all the way from Rye
lands to ask Mildreds opinion upon
certain subjects. ua. a5
Mildred at home and Mildred abroad
were very different persons. She was
most capable Of loving. but her unfort-
unate coldness OF demeanor prevented
this 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,
who were at present undergoing the
discipline Of school in some distant
shire.
Sir George had discovered, some
years previously. that he was not as
well up in this worlds goods as a man
had 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 oack. when several circumstances
had happened again to force it upon
his memory. Debts somehow had be-
gun to accumulate of late years, and
now began to declare themselves with
very disagreeable openness. The fam
lily lawyer shook his head solemnly;
and Sir George in self-defense went
home. and having sold two of his
favorite hunters most disadyanta-
seousiy. walked about his farm, doing
gloomy penance, and was cross to his
wife for the first time for a number
Of years.
But this state of things only lasted
very few days indeed, and at the
end OF that time. his third hunter hav-
Ing fallen lame. one OF those disposed
OF was bought back again, at a very
different price from that paid for 1t to
Sir George. and presently the other
followed suit: after which their master
gave up the gloomy penance, to the
great relief of the household at Kings
Abbott, who were considerably put out
by 1t. and having kissed his wife, did
not 30 round the farm for several
days
Lady Caroline of course soon discov-
cred that they were in dificulties-in-
deed Sir Georges face was incapable
OF concealing = secret-and these two
women, in ''mamma's" boudoir. dis
cussing probabilities and improbable
ties. and the selling of "papa's" hunt
ers, until Mildred at length suggested
that 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. ana was looked upon as a brain
only did 1t insure an expensive win
ter, but, what was worse, upon exam
ination 1t was discovered that these
friends Of Sir Georges youth were
most disreputable 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 Dever-
Ills and the Blounts and the Stanleys
would say. finally going of to consult
with her prime minister Mildred.
1T is all over" she began: they
must be asked"
Il never heard of such thing In
my life." said Miss Trevanion. ct IA
perfectly indecent-their asking them
selves here. But what can one expect
from such people? Good gracious,
mamma, fancy q cotton merchant! It
quite makes me shiver. How many
of them are there?"
-Four. answered her mother. Faith
er. mother. daughter and son."
ANY more?" inquired Mildred, sar-
castically. l.--.-e .s..-
mo. no more. Do you not think
four too many" asked LADY Caroline