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


! very serious to tell you.
The change in Mrs. Forager's face was
very remarkable The expression that
suddenly drove out that OF maternal in
diligence was one of doubt, disappoint-
ment and hostility
why, what can you meant" she said.
81 can't suppose for moment that be-
cause we are Two women here, and Lucy
without father TO see to her rights
What do you meanP
II can tell you in sentence. My Uncle
has just got SON.
"And beirp' added Mrs Forager. me
chanically. Got a son! what dye mean?
How dare you? Do you suppose, Mr..
Burton, we are to submit to this treat
ment? Wen, never. never, In the whole
course of my life. heard Of such thing"
And not knowing what to say or do, she
got up and walked about.
I'VE are the sufferers. II is not my
fathers fault. you may be sure"
but it is, sir. It's an unworthy trick.
see how it is. He thought he would
have it all settled, and over, before this
bit of news came
Mrs. Foragerw
"Oh. don't talk TO me, sir. 1t is too bad
putting US in such position. We have
been treated finely among you all. And
che years we have wasted in this wretch
ed place.
at Is unfortunate; but we win make
any amends in our power; whatever
course Lucy desires us to pursue, we viii
adopt"
"Ah! that is good. A pretty match you
would be now for her! little raw school
boy. Now, don't-don't get up any stand
ing on dignity, or being offended. I've 10
patience or time to put up wit. that You
won't offend me, nor put me down either.
you nor your father. Such a miserable
ridiculous situation to be brought into"
She walked up and down fretting. and
dreadfully put out" AT last she stop
ped abruptly.
"As for Lucy she must be put out Of
the question. If you and your family
have a spark of generosity you will see
the thing Is not to be thought of. won't
have my child sacrificed. Two paupers
going through the world with nothing but
some rags of romance to cover them.
Now, to whom am to look to compensate
me and mine for all the mischief done?
What is this uncle Of yours?-and his
wife? Will they do anythingp'
"Do you mean, pay you, Mrs. Fora
ger|
"Oh, come! no sneering at me. sir.
That's an unbecoming return for all the
time wasted and the money, too. It's
unbearablew
The young man was amazed, md vet
even n little amused, at the extraordinary
reception of his news. wondering how.
during their long acc uaintance. Mrs. For
ager had never rev called herself in this
coarse and repellin.; shape.
II rely on you" she went on, 'that
nothing be put upon Lucy in this matter.
She is a foolish and cxcitable girl. and
she will he getting up romance; so 1t lies
on your horyr for her own sake, to put
the thing out of her head. It's all non
sense. eheer nonsense, and couldn't be
th3ught Of"
Where is she now? am content that
she should decide"
Bat she shan't. and I'll take care you
don't see her Have you no honor or
decelcyF'
81 shall not ask to see her to-day, but
it is q matter that neither you nor l can
decide; it is all for her. and for her alone.
This is not thing to be settled off-hand,
as you would dismiss a servant Mrs
Forager, ! must say you have received
my news in a delicate and sympathizing
way that l could not have anticipated
Good by"
Mrs. Forager was SC amazed at this
ironical tone. to say nothing OF the de-
cided remarks coming from this mere
chit Of a boy that she could find moth
ing ready for an answer. She, too, had
noticed the change in his nature, and the
more decided and manly tone that he had
assumed That remark as to "dismissing
servant" had rather taken her back
and she felt herself little awkward in
presence Of this raw lad, as she thought
him. But her rage and annoyance at
the news was uncomfortable. Here She
had reckoncd on perfect establishment:
on being supported in aflluencc for her
life entire; having even dim idea Of in.
stalling herself in Abheylands This
secr.rd an easy task. for she had n thor
7 ough contempt for the good souls who
directed there, Notwithstanding nil their
kindness.
After a while she began to see some
symptoms Of promise. and to discover
/ that the case was not so desperate after
! all. There was the other family. who
would probably take the place of the
/ idiots" who did not know how, and CON
| sequcutly did not deserve. to keep theirs.
/ Something was surely to be done in that
! direction by woman of position and
/ intelligence such rs she was In the or
/ binary course Of things. il resentment
| was To have been entertained at all. il
| ought to have been against persons who
/ had so effectually destroyed all her plans:
! but, by a curious peryerSion. she felt
I only respect and an interest in them,
| while towards the victims Of the ;ituation
she had feeling Of positive Sp',e
Here was her daughter Lazy. entering
from a walk; a perfect Vatican figure,
Dolly Warden hat and little cape, Tom
was here. was he not? how unfortunate
/ ! was 10 have missed him!'
unfortunate. nonsense. 4 fine way
they have treated US. They now turn
out TO be all paupcrs."
"Paupers. mammaT'
yes, cut out; dsnherited 4 boy. Il
seems. has turned up. and your frient
Mr., Tom, who has been strutting about
in his gold lace, won't have shilling
Its monstrous- disgraceful to have ut
tempted 10 take MS in. in this way"
Lucy was overwhelmed. oh how nm
fortunate! how wretchedr' she exclaim
ed. Poor. poor Toni l must go to hin
at once"
Nothing Of the kind. ma'am. How
dare you? what folly has got into you
head: Tho thing is at an end
What, has Tom given me UP fo