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

afresh. But this was only a morbid and
overstrained view, produced by the bit
ter and sudden awakening from the de-
lightful dream in which they had been
indulging. In vain they said to them
selves: AFTER all, we had no right to
count on this reversion; we ought to be
glad that this good brother who has been
so kim and generous, and who intended
to be yet more kind and generous, has
now found his reward. 1t is only n the
proper course Of things that he should
look to having an heir. 1t is unworthy
that we should feel more than the first
pangs of disappointment. We should
try and rejoice in what must make him
so happy"
Still there was a cruel dramatic pro-
priety Of effect in the coup, which made
it doubly notifying. The festival OF
that night, the congratulations, the nc
titious certainty which seemed to have
beer impaired to their position. these
elements made this sudden reverse more
poignant and uncomfortable. After near
ly twenty years Of enjoyment, sort
of prescription seemed 10 give them a
title, ard that length of time made It
appear as though they were deprived OF
something that belonged to them.
Yet after all, setting apart this meta
physical view, there was much to comfort
them. Their brother generous and just,
was certain to take care that they should
suffer as little as possible from The
change. AS Mrs. Burton urged again
and again through that weary night,
striving to comfort her poor Ned. he
would be lavish in his generosity. But
Ned sat there not able to raise his head,
without speaking, and utterly crushed
by the blow that had fallen on them.
Strange to say. their son, Tom the dis
inherited, took the matter easily enough.
1--WE shall do very WELL" he said, II dare
say. After ALL we had no right to as
sumo that this was to so on permanently.
am sure you and mother wanted but few
luxuries for yourself; it was always of
as you We're thinking"
"Yes, Tom" said his father, bitterly,
''it was my prayer and hope that you
would one day have all this place. They
led me on, and surely any one after go
ing on nearly twenty years might natur-
ally think so; and l dare say there's
some jugglery in it still. That demon of
a woman, l know, has never forgiven me.
and would do us an Ill turn IL she
could"
Not she, Ned. and she couldn't.
must only work my way with Lucy, and
to tell you the truth, shall be very glad
TO have to do something for my living
instead Of being an idle gentleman. Be
sides, this telegram is not very commun-
eative. Let us wait for a few days until
the letter comes, it will be time enough
then to talk about the matter" He gave
his mother much comfort by his CHEEKY
manner, and his advice seemed sensible.
But his father shook his head.
1t was determined to wait for the letter
before communicating the news to any
one. even to the Foragers. Though this
might seem good policy. the necessity for
acting a part that : induced was yet
more painful, especially the having to
listen TO, and enter into, Mrs. Forager's
delighted forecastings and antieipations
of living at Abbeylands. She was shrewd
enough, however, to see that there was
a cloud over the family, and that the en-
thusiasm of the festival night had greatly
abated. But she set it down TO quite an
other reason, assumed that the Family
were trying to get the young man out
% the business; aud with some alarm she
began to get ready to encounter this new
state of affairs. Poor soul! ii was not
the first time that she had to do battle
for prize secured with infinite pains and
labor.
After ten dreary days had gone by, ar
rived the letter. In this fashion did Mr.
Burton write:
MY Dear Brother-I sent you n tele-
gram announcing the blessing which has
been sent to us, and l am now glad to be
able to write that mother and child are
doing admirably He is a fine young brat,
strong, aud cries Justify. / am II such
spirits, and they tell me look five years
YOU ger. Lydia is everything l could
wish, indeed l never can forget the way
she has borne all this.
Now as to our plans. She will soon
be able to be moved, and is up to-day
She has expressed her wish that we
should go and stay for a time at Abbey
lands and indeed ii is only right that
our young heir should spend some Of his
early days in the air Of the old place.
and should be seen by the tenants. | am
afraid you will think W. want 10 inter-
fere with you and yours, but you must
not think OF stirring yet. | know that
you and Lydia never did hit il off, but sou
will now see that it is time TO let bygnnes
be bygones, and all these old differences
disappear. As for Tom, | will take care
of him just as before; and anything |
can do for you, my dear Ned, you may
depend on me to do. | shall take care OF
you all as far as | can. Give Miss
Lucy my congrat Ilations. | am sure
Tom will make her happy. Lydia is 50
well to-day, and so eager 10 get home
that l should not be surprised if ",
started within the week. will ask YOU
therefore. to get some rooms ready fol
us. But do not Inconvenience yourself il
any way.
Always yours. my dear brother.
JOHN BURTON"
Ned Burton read this document sowly
aloud to the family There" he said
after a pause; there is our order of eject
ment. Turned OF on the world at IN,
age! And the modification before th
ueighbors!'
'No. no, dear" said his wife: "surrt
be says il win make no difference. A
will go on as before. Aud he says b
will take care OF Tom"
1T is no use Disgusting the thing fror
ourselves he is trying To break the IA
We must goat once"
"Ned is right" said Tom; sit is a pc
lite turnout. But there Is nothing 5
dreadful-except, indeed. the mortific,
ton. Uncle Burton will do all he ca
for US, and there Is no compliment
accepting it, as This sudden business give
Us a claim on him"
He has nothing to do with it"' sal
Ned, vehementy, mot he. 1t is til
Il L.