Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1902-07-18

But as he drove lelsufts hon'e
through the gathering dusk he was not
unite so confident as he had professed
10 be while talking 10 NanciebeL IL
was strange that his mother had not
Kissed the girl in taking leave Of her.
THAT would have been sufficient recog-
milton. Her parting little speech TO the
effect that she hoped Miss NARROW
would come and see her again might
have been addressed 60 the merest
stranger. As fof Nancy's contention,
on the other hand. that she could tell
chat Mrs. Kingston disliked her and
had even the monstrous inhumanity
10 wish that she were dead, he knew
that was all nonsense. However, there
would soon be an opportunity for him
10 learn what had been his mothers
thoughts.
During dinner nothing of importance
WAS said with regard 10 Nanciebel, for
old Thomas, who looked after the pony
and kept the garden and also waited AT
table. was continually coming and 20
Ing. But after dinner Mr.. Richard
went direct with his mother into the
drawing room and sat down beside her
and took her hand and smoOthed it be
tween his own.
"Now, mater, what are you going ia
say to mer'
The little woman hesitated. II was a
momentOus crisis in her simple and un'
eventful life.
I 1nN Nn
she said rather sadly. Il do not wish
to appear unkind or inconsiderate. But
you must surely understand how II
must be shock to me to know that !
am expected to receive stranger into
our home
"A stranger, mother" he exclaimed.
How long would she be a Stranger
| "And then, my dear boy" continued
; the mother In the same absent way,
81 have been building up so many fore
/ casts of your future. and this is SO en-
! tirely different. However, we must do
what is right-we must do what IL
/ right, whatever 1t may cost. Much as
! should like TO see you free from this
this enlargement, | would not have
you win your freedom through any dis
honorable action. II you have raised
hopes in this young woman's heart, If
you have pledged your word TO her,
you must stand by that. | would not
have your conscience burdened by the
knowledge that you had tritled with
her aud cruelty forsaken her-nO, not
4. al, al. oh a
look elsewhere for a wife
why, | knew you would say that,
mothcrr he cried joyfully. though his
exultation was in curious contrast with
the widows half concealed regret.
"And then consider ths-if you found
her passably agreeable and pleasant
hammered and amiabe on first aud
formal interview like that-Just consid-
or how she will improve, how she will
win your regard on more intimate
knowledge. What did you think OF
her. mother? Weren't you favorably
impressed! I'm sure you must have
thought she looked so pretty and neat
and modest. Did you notice how soft
and winning her eyes We're? Couldn't
you guess what her disposition was
like? At all events she tried hard tC
please you, could see it in every
look"
81 have no fault to find. Richard" bis
mother said, but without much of the
enthusiasm he had hoped for. Il dar,
say she is good. honest girl, and may
! unl Ia
she had some little instruction-ant
preparation
Mother, Nancy is the quickest CIR
: in apprehension you ever saw! he ex
claimed eagerly. Il don't know II
: what you consider her deficient, but
know she would be delighted to learn
and especially from you. Didn't yoI
see how respectful she was TO your
he continued with insidious hattcry
"She would be most willing pupil
OF course you saw she was shy. Tha
4. was but natural In girl of her az,
| and in the peculiar circumstances. You
' could not expect her to have your sci
t possession and grace of manner. Tina
r is something that can only be acquire,
I by long training. But how willingl,
! Nancy would try to learn
+. 1T is all so strange to me as yet
y Richard" Mrs Kingston said at length
( that | hardly know what to do Blu
t in such an important matter | canno
= act entirely on my own responsibility
: | will write to your Uncle Charles
: Perhaps he will run up from Bristol"
Mother Mr.. Richard protested
i with some Indignation, do you want t.
@ frighten poor Nancy out of her senses
- A family conclave, jury of strar
4 gers to summon the poor girl befor
q them
# You cannot call your Uncle Charlie
I stranger" his mother retorted, bu
I without asperity. This alarming thin
that had happened had stunned an
n frightened her rather than made he
+. angry. "Who, after myself. could hay
!. your interests more Mt heart? And
II have been thinking, Richard, that
you still persist in this project. or
:. you are bound in honor to Miss Maj
4 low, then perhaps your Uncle Charlie
9" would receive her into the vicarage fO
awhile and let her associate with you
a girl cousins. A clergyman's house
, the best school in the world for an
u one who wishes to pick up the way
a and manners, the little courtesies an
p0litenesses, of refined society, and
am sure the separation would be who'll
some for both you and her. 1t woul
:. give you time to reflect. 1t would Ell
= able you to test the strength of yor