Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-11-26
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CHAPTER vi.

DDt1 DEOlNefS SdLtu On htE NttAtONA
speaking. There was something so intel
ligible in the glance with which she ac'
companied this speech that Ned felt him
self awed and even cowed. He had been
signally worsted in that vain attempt at
rescue, and had to depart to his regi'
ment powerless. This interference, how
ever. had made no change in his brothers
feelings towards him, az as years rolled
on his wife began to urge very earnestly
that 1t was folly TO keep up an old quar-
rel. and to let it interfere with the pros
poets of their many children.
Gradually Ned came TO take this view,
especially as his brothers affection for
him, seemed to increase every day; but
Mrs Burton always maintained a cold
and distant attitude, wishing it TO be I'M
derstood that she still reserved to her
self sort Of duty of never forgetting the
insult she had received. Thus gradually
the whole family came TO 4ccept the ait
uation that med and Lydia" would never
be on cordial terms.
She said she was fond of seeing the
world, and adored travelling; so after
about a year and halls residence at
Abbeylands, she determined they should
go abroad to see the world. The gossips
of the place set this down to quite an
other motive than mere taste for travel
ing. The story of the governess. with
whispers OF that second little history
which Ned Burton had discovered, was
known, and the squires mad neighbors
kept aloof. The few who thought that
old Burton had made n fool of himself,
but could not bring themselves to give
up his acquaintance, were repealed by
her abrupt, suspicious manner, and very
soon gave up visiting at the house. She
there are found the place dull, and TN
suite, % her tastes-she did not care
for gardens, flowers, drives. She was
delighted to leave the place.
The rest of the story was familiar to
Ned Burton's family--how Mr.. Burton's
health had become Indifferent, how he
had been ordered to stay abroad for its
benefit, how he had long hoped for an
heir. and had at last given up that idea.
With these absences growing longer and
longer, the length of their visits to Abbey
lands had increased. until they were
finally installed there; living prosperously,
and In a steadily growing dream Of hap
piness, which was so rudely dissolved ,by
the piece of news that had just arrived.
Now" said Ned Burton. vehemently,
"do you still say / have done that WON
an injusticeT
But, dearest Ned" said his wife,
sooth, ''it is all so long ago. 1t is only
by supposing her to be a demon that she
could have kept up all that animosity."
Tom had not said a word during the
progress of his fathers narrative His
fact had grown thoughtful and graver.
1T begins to look very like what Ned
says. | feel a sort OF instinct that she
has never forgotten or forgiven, and If
So"
"And if So" said Ned. gloomily, "she
will destroy US root and branch and
her choicest bit of revenge will be to see
us poor relations and hangers-on. Deepen
dent on her for little doles Of money, and
food and clothes"
NOT said Tom, jumping up with sud
den animation. IF so, we must only
face her boldly, hunt her down instead
of letting her hrnt us down. And if she
were to think such vengeance as to
be serving us scraps, and aims of meat
and money, why, she ought to be treated
as one would wild cat, with its savage
teeth and claws, which we pursue and
shoot~
His mother looked at him with alarm
and reproach. Dear Tom what are You
saying? She is your uncle's wife, recol-
lect"
I'VE can do nothing" said his father
yet more gloomily; "and. OH he added,
las it is, look at the mortification-to re
dependent on their good nature to poor
Ned for paying my debtsF'
But we have no debts, dearest--ex
cept the regular household expenses"
Il have been extrayagant-very ex-
travagant. | am sure ! never thought of
what / was spending, and why should [?
Did they not lead me to believe that all
was coming to us? How can l tell what
] owe? There is the old loan to pay
for the majority, which stands over, and
the horses, and the new carriage, and the
thousand to Poynter, and the diamonds
for Lucy"
Never mind" said Tom. at is only
fair that they should look after them, rs
they are taking the estate from us. AS
for the jewels. as Lucy is now to be a
poor mans wife, she can very well SPARE
them. aud the tradesman will take Them
back"
oh what a huml..7ion, 1t only
wanted that
1T would be much more humiliating to
give IL present for which the tradesman
was not likely to be paid or be paid by
some one else. No, Ned The first thing
must be to see how we stand and then
boldly face the situation shall make
a beginning, and go off straight To Mrs.
Forager to tell her the whole"
nh. h,1 .,D,. a y.r.. ,,..ss,,,
in Tom. He had grown, from being a
light, laughing, careless boy. into a seri-
Gus. rejecting aud determined man. IN
his parents looked after him with wonder,
as he left the room with firm and de-
cided step.
Nod was prey to the heaviest dejec.
ton aud despair; his wife was ngitateJ
and alarmed put his son Tom seemed
the only one OF the party who was conf
dent and assured 1t was remarked AT
his school that Tom, generally indifer
ent to success. and lansuid enough wher
there was something pleasant at hand
became cheerful and Comfortable" wher
there was "a fight" or an examination
where he was certain 20 fail or som,
scrape before him. Further this tone O
mind. il was noticed, generally brough
him safely and with credit through al
these difficulties
He walked thus e0mpoSedly along tn
little friendly path which had been con
1rived purposely To favor the aifectionat
intercourse of the families, and whic
Mrs. Foragtr had often pronounced en-
of the m st delicate instances of atten
zion on record.
H. F,u,,l shot tal, - Tho HftTn sfinta