Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-11-19
CHAPTER Y

Z
Abbeylands as a confirmed old bachelor
Therefore, when news of his intended
marriage came home to that place it was
complete surprise. The young ladies of
the district, the FIVE daughters Of the cler-
gyman, the disengaged girls of several
squires, had all fondly chung to the hope
that the prize would sooner or later be
drawn by one of their party.
1t soon got abroad that the lady Sc
lected was a clergyman's daughter OF
some attractions, and this added bitter
ness to the disappointment. Had it been
lady of title or great wealth, the disap-
pointment would have been perfectly sat
isted. BY and by it was known that old
Gr. Burton was about to make a fool
OF himself" had been taken in" and
that the chosen lady was no other than
governess whom he had met with in re-
spectacle family.
Such was the palatable news that
reached Ned Burton, then quartered in
some garrison town of the kingdom. 1t
filed him with anger and modification.
He firmly believed that his poor brothers
natural good nature and chivalry had
been imposed upon, and that pity and
loyalty made him hold to the engage
ment. Ned was convinced in his soul
tina john Burton was in this condition.
and only wanted the support of firm
mind andathe brother he was fond of, to
be rescued from this snare
Then came Indignation and even fury.
He pictured to himself his brother as
tortured lniserably and longing to be
free. On this, he actually set ont. deter
mined to strain every nerve in the cause
He had ascertained that the lady's
name was Lydia Irving. aud with some
difficulty discovered that Of the family
with whom she had been staying lie
went straight to them, and heard their
account of her, which justified his sns-
pieions. They lad no serious charges to
bring against her. save that she had de-
ceiyed them in some matters was cold,
I.vindietive and intriguing. Mr.. Burton
had been staying at the same hotel with
them at Wiesbaden, and she had there
laid herself out TO attract him. Mr..
Burton. who had been very intimate with
chem. had suddenly grown cold: while
she had become very careless in her du-
ties, and wanting in respect. They had
been obliged to tell her that she must
leave their service. The same day Mr.
Burton came, and with trembling voice
and excited manner said that he had come
to let them know that, however they
might choose to treat poor helpless girl.
she was not so un'riended as they might
suppose, In future he would be her pro-
tector and friend and he insisted on
knowing the reason Of the caprice" that
could turn out upon the world poor girl
who had been their faithful drudge so
long.
The lady who was Mt the head of the
family, with due dignity. declined to en-
ter on the matter with him In such a
tone. The governess had not vet left
them and her behavior during the short
time that she remained was infinitely
contemptuous and defiant. She told them
| that she had too long put up with their
| tyranny. and that she was now free from
| them, and would ! lutte as good a lady
! as any of them. / erhaps even the day
| might come when she would be able to
repay them. She would never forget ;heir
| treatment Parents. children, servants
she had a little account with each. All
/ this was spoken with white face. and
/ darkling brow, and compressed lip. They
! saw that this sense of injury had been
| all this time ranking within her. The
| family, who had really tried to treat her
| justly and indugehtly, could only think
| that her brain had been a little excited
by the sudden turn OF fortune, and mere
! ly wished TO be rid of her with as little
delay us possible.
In this state OF things the captain ar
rived He went to his brothers rooms
first, and found that he was absent. He
then walked down to those of the family
a.. !
been. He told them his business blunt
ly. spoke of the disgrace and misery that
| was certain 10 attend this step. IL am
convinced" he said, that ste is an ad-
venturess. and has imposed on my broth
CT. But / am determined 10 expose her
Who is she2 what do you know of her =
They told him that. after their treat
mont by Mr. Burton, they were not in
cliued to interfere in the affair. but would
let matteS- take their course. Ned's hon
est manner. however, and his genuine dis.
treSs made them more communicative
and they told him that they had recently
beguI TO suspect that she was not what
she had represented herself TO theta. HeI
story had been that she was the daughter
of II clergyman, whose second wife ynadt
home very unhappy. For proof OF thi.
. SAAE NtS4lEt EtAtRtANt ~ ht iiabts HOT 1t
] the clergyman but to the doctors ant
some other leading families, who hat
vouched for her in the handsomest way
They had recently met some one froa
' the district. who had described SOME mat
tiers that did not quite agree with he
account.
The captain. VINO az this time Of his lif
a | was hasty and impetuous, flew away {,
/, look for his brother. and foand him walk
: ing with lady and gentleman, IN. for
mer Of whom his instinct told him wa
4 the goveruess. Without preface he tol,
: his brother that he must NOT take thi
: foolish step; that he was imposed upou
: This lady is not what she pretends 10 be
she has deceived other people"
"You must not speak Of her that wa
: IN my presence; | will not listen 20 sue
: SANDERS"
This is the old story" said she, fxin
Il her eye steadily on the sScuser; Il tol
g You something Of the kind would bS Sel
d tain TO be brought up
/. you did, aud you have borne too niue