Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-04-30
CHAPTER XII.


sense of silence and desolation, all struck
on Iyor Grants own wretchedness as so
many additional woes.
His mother was Ill and broken, and in
their brief interviews he saw, even more
clearly than of yore, how heavily her
secret sorrow was preying on her mind.
When he could for time, put aside the
crushing sense of his own great trou-
bic, his thoughts always turned to this
mystery at his own doors, and its asso-
citation with the man whose base and ig-
noble nature he had fathomed to his cost.
"As soon as everything is settled and
straight | shall 90 abroad for a month
or two" he said one night to his mother.
Mrs. Grant looked at him anxiOusly.
II had made her heart ache many a time
TO note how changed he was and she had
not yet found courage to ask tSe cause.
'Abroadw she echoed. But, my dear,
you have been away from the Court SO
long! You surely won't rush off again
just-just as you are master hereF
why hot?" said Iyor, YEARLY. There
is nothing for me to do here. Everything
is in such perfect order that the veriest
innoyator ever born could find no reason
able excuse for upsetting existing ar
rangements. Sometimes | think" he
added bitterly, that | am not in the
right groove. I'm tired of idleness. A
good spell Of hard work is what | need.
It's a pity l left the service; / might
have exchanged"
'Ivorr
The panied, sorrowful exclamation cut
short his words. He looked at his moth
or and saw that her eyes were full of
tears.
Forgive me-" he said, gently; Il did
not mean to pain you. l was always
dissatisfied sort of fellow, you know. A
little change, a breath of foreign air, will
do me good. | promise III settle down
into a pattern landlord when | return"
My dear boy" said Mrs. Grant, sad
~, why IRE you so changed? Dissatis-
fed you never were--most easily content
ed, l think. Don't wrong yourself by
saying so. But of late"
She paused, noting with pain how the
troubled look had deepened on his face,
and what lines Of care were round the
handsome mouth.
IL am out Of sorts. | think he
said. Perhaps things have gone toe
easily with me; l don't know; and you
can't expect me to be very cheerful when
that dear, brave old fellow has only just
left us, to learn his value, as in life we
scarcely seemed to learn it. In a few
months l shat be all right just as
used to be-"
'Of course. IL you think it will do you
good" said Mrs. Grant, presently, 1T is
best to go away. Dut you are too much
alone. my dear. You want society; COM
partnership. Take some friend with you. :"
Ivor frOwned slightly.
Thanks. no." he said. my own com
pany suits me best Besides" he added,
''out of the heaps of men ! know, and
have known, doubt il there is one
whom 1 really look upon as a friend"
Col. Dunbar!'' suggested Mrs. Grant.
Iyor flushed slightly.
He couldnt leave, and | shouldn' I
like to ask him. No; / shall go by my
self. Don't think me very selfish, ne
added suddenly. running away so soon
again. | feel it's the best thing for mel
And LOOKING ar the pale, haggard face.
and the eyes that had lost all their
bright, bold beauty. Mrs. Grant knew
that he was right.
Before | 60" continued Ivor gently.
there is something | wish to speak to
you about, mother. | find that my uncle
was in the habit of making you a yearly
allowance Of five hundred pounds, But
the lawyers say he has left no directions
as to its continuance. | suppose you
would like 1t to 80 on as before. Have
you a banking account Of your own?"
Mo-" said his mother hesitatingly,
and growing strangely white. Il keep
the money myself"
But is it not inconvenient?' asked
Iyor in surprise.
He could not help wondering on what
his mother spent SO large sum, seeing
that she rarely bought any new dresses,
went into no society, and, to his knowl-
edge, gave very little to charity.
Il have not found it So" she said,
with so self-evident an embarrassment
that Ivor could not but notice it. Your
uncle asked no questions He was al
ways very generous
DO not fear | shall be less so" said
lvor hastily. My curiosity was surely
pardonable; but as | am going away l
thought it best to tell you that your
money would be safer paid into the bank,
and drawn by check, than accommodating
in your own hands, and temptation Il
servants. But Of course, you mus Dc
as you please. The usual quarterly sam
will be paid by the lawyers. We will say
no more on the subject"
Il thought Of asking Berry, Marsdcn 10
stay here while you are away" said Mrs
Grant. timidy. she is such a com
fort to me-"
lyor turned his face aside
by all means. If you wish IT," he an
swered. II thought you would have had
her here for Christmas. never expected
to see her at Naux Abbey"
Il wanted her TO come, but she re-
fused" said his mother. How wa,
she? Did you see much of herr"
las much as one generally sees OF Wis
itors at country house" answered Ivor
constrainedly.
Does she still feel the loss of the chill
lren so terribly?" asked Mrs. Grant, pur
suing this subject as il TO drive away tn,
memory of the other.
Yes" said her son, curly. "She ism,
one to forget easily more's the pity
Il don't think she's . happy woman,
pursued Mrs. Grant, unwisely. I've al
ways thought so. l. was cruel OF NJ
husband to separate her from the boys
II they had been with her. under her owr
eve, things would have been different"
Can one alter fate?" asked liver, bit
terry. as he rose from the chair and paced
the room with rapid steps. Some people
are bound to be unfortunate aud unhap
py TO lose whatever they set their heart
on. TO long and lou- and never obtain
DO Won th.nk Reryl Marsden is one !.