Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1902-07-25
CHAPTER Ill.


TO underestimate the gravity of such
crisis in the family affairs. He was
small thin, nervous, pale faced man.
with large, almost feminine, eyes and
with n manner as gentle and delicate
as that of his sister. Like her, too, in
this particular instance, he never for
moment thought of repudiating the OBJ
legations under which his nephew Rich
ard had placed himself-not at all. III
the young man had pledged his word
to an honest and honorable girl, he
must stand by it, and his family must
simply try TO do the best in the err
cumstances.
Mr.. Richard was not at home when
his uncle arrived, so that there was Il
little preliminary conversation between
brother and sister - of course about
Nanciebel.
81 presume, Cecilia" said the nerv-
GUS little clergyman in his softly mod
ulated tones, that she has none of the
accomplishments one would naturally
wish Richards wife to have"
'Indeed | never thought of question
ing Richard on that point Mrs. King
ston said, "for | supposed she would
merely have the ordinary education of
one in her sphere of life. or course
she can read and write and figure up
accounts, but beyond that-what? Not
that put much value myself on young
lady accomplishments A girl can get
on very we'll without Italian and
French and German and music II she
has good manner and can write
clever letter and play lawn tennis.
But, really, this girl on whom Richard
has set his heart has no manner at all
That afternoon she was here she had
absolutely nothing to say for herself.
And you know how popular Richard
is, Charles. His good looks and high
spirits stand him in good stead every
where, and to think of his being joined
for life to this-this-well, | will say
nothing against her, but | cannot helE
regarding it as cruel misfortune"
1--WE must make the best of it, Ce-
ella" said the clergyman, with chas-
tened resignation, land you may count
on me to do what | can. If you think
she would gain any improvement by
coming to the vicarage for few
months or even for year, If you con
slider heightened period of separation
advisable, | shall be glad to take her
and she might join Gertrude and Laura
in their studies, as far as that is prac
ticable. You say she appears amiable
and sincere, and am sure if there was
any Objectionable feature in her char
acter she would not have been Rich
ards choice"
at would be the greatest kindness
Charles" the widow said, with obvious
gratitude. ut might not be practicable
for her to join your girls in their stud
ies-they are too far advanced-and i
would be too late in the day for her t
begin music now, but she might prac
tice her handwriting until she acquired
good style, and they might teach he
lawn tennis. But, above all, what
should hope for is her gaining littl
more. self confidence and frankness
familiarity with good manners, and S
forth, and where could she find tw
more charming girls to observe an
copy than Gertrude and Laura? O
course it will be a difficult thing t
propose to her without wounding he
susceptibilities. We can't tell her tina
she is ill educated or gawky in MAJ
ner or unacquainted with the way
and politenesses of a well bred family
it will be easier to point out the nece'
sity for some period of separation as
test of their regard for each othe
And l hope she will understand that
is done in kindness, for, after all, if ST
is to be Richards wife l trust she wi
bear no grudge against any one of us
"She would be a very ungratefl
young woman if she did," said the Gle
gyman, with unusual severity, "consi'
ering the very great sacrifices we al
all of us prepared to make for her"
And what did Nanciebel say to tn
scheme when it was laid before hcl
1t was Mr.. Richard who communica
ed it to her. On the day following h
uncle's arrival he called in at the she
i'm the High street and asked NanC
to come for stroll with him, and, ;
her sister Kate was there, she consen
ed, and the two of them walked alor
Chapel street and Church street wit
out the slightest pretense of concea
ment. The temporary thaw had bee
succeeded by hard frost. The sno
again lay crisp and clear while IL
roads glittered with broken ice in IL
cart ruts. There was a blue sky owe
head. 1t was bright, inspritir
morning. These young folks had l
thought of the cold. They passed ii
church. They went down by the mi
They assembled the slippery steps
the footbridge, and there, leaning {
the rail, they paused to look at Il
sluggish green river or at the wit
white snow landscape all shining
the sun. And here it was that he to
her what his mother and uncle DE-
posed should be done.
ooh, Richard" she said when h
tale was finished, chat is as bad
syour going to Shanghai!'
"Well, it Is not, Nanciebel," he ma
answer, "for l should be allowed
go down and see you from time
time, and it Is easier sending messag
or birthday presents or things Of til
kind between Stratford and Brs
than between Stratford and Shangh
But the great difference is this-r
uncle Charles, with whom you wor
be staying, Is one Of the gentlest a
kindest of men, whereas my uncle
China from what | can remember
him, is one Of the most fiery and