Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-12-17

CHATTER Y.

in the house that the Ned Burtons were
going away.
Mr.. Burton was seriously distressed.
But it had been shown to him that his
wife had been insuted. and his brother
did not attempt to deny it. The head If
the house felt il due to his own dignity
to support an offended air. In fact, il
was felt that it was better for all parties
that the family should go. and go speed
lily The poor mother and her children
were busy with their little packing, and
literally did not know where they were
to lay their heads that night
Tom had gone over to SET Lucy. but
Mrs. Forager confronted him with hos
tility ard positively declined to send for
her
Il told you that the thing must end. 1t
is no to be heard Of in any shape, and
must be dismissed forever"
You refuse to let me see Lucy" he
said. IF it be her wish, am content.
Then let her see me to tell me so"
There is no need for anything Of the
kind. Come now" she added in a wheed-
ling tone; ''you are young man Of sense
You wouldn't like to ruin family, and
make us all beggars. ! tell you frankly.
| love Lucy better than any one in the
world; and it is for her good that she
should put you altogether out of her
head. There's a young fellow from the
Abbey, who is quite struck with her,
and who, | understand. will be right well
off, and | believe in time Lucy could be
got TO think of him."
why" said Tom. hardly able TO con
tain his Indignation, you speak Of your
childs affections as if they were goods
you had ordered from a shop, which you
could return or exchange as you like. At
ter this, hall say no more to you. and
l shall take my own course. independently
Of you altogether"
With this he departed Poar little
Lucy had been sent out specially to the
the parsons wife, in anticipation of some
such call. Tom felt rather treasured than
otherwise by his visit; for such a world
ling. who did not even take the trouble
of trimming her sails. but went about
with the most public noise and clatter,
would be very easy to deal with.
The family were to depart by the four
0 clock train. No one had seen Mr., Ralph
or his sister that morning, the former
being shut up in the study.
II suppose" said Ned bitterly, "he
is making out bill 90 the innkeepers do.
Let him. | am glad it has come to open
war. I'll fight them to the dssth, and
when | get to town I'll have the best adj
vice III show them have friends, and
I'll expose her before the world"
1t was now about twelve o'clock. and
the excited major had put his slender
l..- l., 4.
manteau. There were handsome gins
and gun cases, with other valuable things.
which he had determined to leave behind.
He would take nothing but his clothes.
which were always of the shabbiest kind.
He strobe over to the French window and
cazed down into the court yard with its
fountain, aud large spreading
lime trees, whence he and his friends had
started on many bright morning for
their shooting parties. Even now the
horses were being put to the handsome
carriage. which had arrived only yestcr-
day, and which she had ordered out. She.
that cruel, hateful woman was to sit in
it. which had been intended for his poor.
wife.
1t was n sultry DAY He left his win
dows ope.i. and TO shut out the glare, as
also re sympathiziug glances of some
of tie honest retainers below, drew close
the outside shutters. The room being then
DIRK and somber, he sat down at his ia
be, and covering his face with his hands.
said softly.
"The poor old place! the poor old
place.
After few moments the door was
opened. and Mrs. Donovan entered softly.
She carried the treasure of the house in
her arms. She had a mysterious air of
sympathy.
what is It, Mrs. Donovan? Do you
want anythingf Not indeed that have
the power Of doing anything for you"
"Ah! it's very hard on you all, ma Tor. ="
she answered, land indeed my heart
hleeds for you, She's gone out in the
carriage and left me and the child Wen,
he's innocent at all events Look, sir.
how he stretches his little arms towards
you"
Ned rose, noticing this little gesture.
He was always affeetionate and gccd-na-
tured. and it struck him how strange was
the situat on, that this little unconscious
being she, Id have the power of ejectin.
him from his happy home Yet he felt
not the least feeling of hostility to the
little stranger. For this reason, he almost
looked on it with Il strange interest and
affection
The poor little innocent" he said; II
hope it win be happy"
Its the finest child in The world"'
said Mrs. Donovan. You're a real no
bleman, major, | declare the little fell
low il able to walk before his time. just
see, major; hold him up while he tries.
Al, how he takes TO you, Never mind,
major. All this will pass, and when this
ynungster grows up he'll do you justice,
never fear,
Ned Burton was 6tful in his ways, and
in moment had the little stranger in his
arms. looking at il with interest aud af-
lection He banded" il on his knee
invited il to Grow" talked to it: crow
~ himself: set it down on the floor. whore
it rolled and plunged as if it had fallen
into the sea.
The nurse looked on with delight
lit might be his own child. for all the
world, and not the little creature that
has put him out"
Some one called at the end of the cor
| rider;
Mrs Donovan"
The caller was impatient and coming
| down the corridor
Mrs Donovan. just moment"
"Ah, What's the natter" said that
! lady "fouucing' hastily out into the cor
/ ridor. Have you no such thing in tn,
world rs paticuce?'
II was a question about Mrs. Douo