Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1902-02-03

fast" she said. looking keenly at them
both.
"We did" replied Stuart. at Is a
very cold night"
lie went into the library, where there
VAS an open fire burning in the CRATE.
The rooms were still heavy with the
perfume Of roses and carnations.
Aunt Royal and Louise followed him,
fter Louise had said few words to
per aunt. Aunt Royal was as excited
$ she ever allowed herself to be.
Louise tells me you object to her
harrying young Vasplaine," she said,
confronting Stuart abruptly.
Stuart was surprised. He did not
hink Louise would mention the matter
her aunt. But Louise was thorough
angry, and small natures like hers
re never satisfied to wait long before
Xpressing resentment. 1t was n very
atural thing for her to confide at once
her aunt, being sure in this instance
her perfect sympathy.
Eyes, | do object" replied Stuart
rmly. He looked straight into his
units face.
''On what grounds z
"The character of the man." answer
Stuart quietly.
Ellis character! Do you know that
be Vasplaines have held the very
CHEST position in the best society for
veral generations? Has not young
asplaine been received everywhere in
bciety where you and Louise have
hemp
TT is possible that society may have
ore regard for wealth and n family
lme than for the little consideration
character and morals. l have heard
bmetimes that that is the case" said
tuart, with n sad smile.
"Why have you allowed the Vas
aines to come into the house, then, if
ley are such dreadful peOple? asked
ouise as she sat in one of the deep
hsy chairs, with her feet out toward
lie fire.
Stuart did not reply. He was dis
acted by the events of the evening.
e realized that his home life was dis
lrbed by the conflicting factors which
Pcessarily entered it with all his new
ideas and definitions of life. Moth
g could be more certain than the fact
lat henceforth the lives of his sister
ld Aunt Royal lay in directly OppO-
tie ways from his. He felt the need
SIS irritation of the present discussion
ld longed to escape from it.
Louise, however, had no intention of
tting Stuart go without suffering
ON q blow she knew so well how to
hict. aunt l told Stuart he ought
BIT to object to my choice if l didn't
pject to his. l don't think, though,
at we shall be disgraced by a Saliva
pm Army alliance in the family. Miss
wight was presented to Una and her
|cort this evening, and by the appear
bee of her face it was easy to see she
ought them a very handsome cou-
e."
Stuart clinched his hands tightly as
stood with his back to the fire. The
/ passion rose in him to it's highest
int, and nothing but the grace of
bd kept it from bursting out into a
trent such as in the other days had
ore than once terrified Louise, reck-
IS as she was in provoking it.
There was a deep silence in the
avily perfumed room. Stuart drew
long breath. Then he looked fear.
ssly into Aunt Royals eyes, and
tn a sudden movement he stood
bse by his sister.
Louise" he said, and at first bis
ice was calm, even loving, "you dc
/ know how you hurt me. l expect
ask Miss Dwight to be my wife, but
will never subject her to the humilia
pm Of living under the roof of house
here
lie broke off abruptly and went ou
the room. He felt unable to finist
lmly. Aunt Royal and Louise sat III
tie late talking over the whole mat
'. 1t is not necessary to enter into il
g whole situation was becoming un
arabic so far as Stuart was concern
so the two women agreed.
What If Stuart marries her anC
ings her home here?' Aunt Roya
build say.
Then | shall leave the house, but
mt believe Rhena Dwight will eve
rry him." Louise would reply. An,
ere the matter rested for the time be
/. in the thought of the women.
The next morning Stuart did not ar
ar at breakfast. He left word tina
bad very important business at tn
ce and could not wait for the lat
al to which Aunt Royal and Louis
re in the habit of sitting down.
lie had reached point in his fee
Is where he felt the necessity of tel
Ehena all. What Louise had sal
but that chance meeting at the ha
turbed him seriously. But the gref
estion with him now was to kno
truth from Rhena herself.
lie spent the forenoon at the of1c
ere was plenty to do. The fever an
want on the part of the miner
Miles were grim factors now in a
ampion. The other ranges were ia
ling the effects of the doub
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