Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-11-05
CHAPTER 7


Edward Burton, Esquire" and the coun
try guide books dwell in reverential Ian
guage on its handsome buildings, stately
woods, and rich prairie-like demesne
When passing by railway or road. the
traveller noticed the compact looking
snowy house playing at hide-and-seeb
with him behind clumps Of trees, and
thought, little wistfully, what comfort
and tranquil happiness were there, while
he had his weary nights journey before
him. As evening closes in, such retreats
look specially inviting and we lose sight
of them with a sense of sadness.
The proprietc of Abbeylands was a
wealthy English SOUR. enjoying seven
or eight thousand a year; married, but
chidleFs. He and his lady lived IIuch
abroad, having taken a sort of dislike to
the place. They Travelled a good deal,
and We're now, as usual, in foreign parts.
He was about five and fifty, and was
married to a lady some fifteen years
younger, who obtained in the district the
credit Of dragging him abroad to graft
fly her more Juvenile tastes. He was
spoken Of with good-natured pity rs be-
ing rather too much under the control of
his lady, and official spinsters accepted
the theory that foreign travel. in some
mysterious way, could ensrre . direct line
of heirs
AbbeJlands rather gained by this abb
senteeism. The house, lands, estate
were handed over to Ned Burton the
squire's brother, and his large and pleas
ant family of pretty daughters and spir-
tied sons. They managed everything
cd fhe, taI hot la, fof at
1t was theirs virtually, as to them it must
come, being strictly entailed There was
no complimenting or standing on cere-
mony in the matter; it had by this ;lme
been accep. ed that Neds family would
eventually inherit.
1t was admitted that they had done a
vast deal during the fourteen or fifteen
years absence Of the owners. They had
built additions, and laid out new gardens,
which were considered the loveliest in the
country. They were, however, only a
background for the mothers pets, who
played there and chartered as she 'hoed"
and wceded; bound up with them as
much as the background of some Gains
borough picture is with the family group
Ii front They were wonderfully hos
p!table, and generally had what is called
houseful of company. when the cheerful
racket Of good spirits and not too bolster
GUS enjoyment prevailed from morning till
night. The neighbors all agreed that
there could be no more desirable tenants
in occupation, especially as compared with
the cold, reserved and ancongenial own
ers
Phelps the clergyman" as he was call
ed, who with his wife dined there about
every ten days gave them his good word;
while the nearest neghhors-th their next
doors"-the patrician Foragers-connect-
ed, as all the world knew. with lord of
that name-toOk an affectionate interest
in Tom Burton. the young guardsman,
eldest son, and future proprietor of Alb
beylands. Mrs, Forager was credited
with elaborate designs, and even schemes.
with laying matrimonial traps, etc. in
which matter some little injustice was
doue to her.
The truth was, the young people had
arranged the business long before; and
Tom Burton, when he came for vacation
from school. or from the university, or
later, when he ohtairrd leave Of absence
from Wellington Bt tracks. had spent at
least three-Quarters of his time with the
engaging and almost rustic beauty of the
neighborhood, who bore the name of
Lucy Forager. Her mother. a woman Of
the world, might have preferred the ex-
citement of stalking an elder sou, after
her own fashion; but the game itself
came out of cover, and surrendered TO a
more engaging huntress. No formal ar
rangement had been made, but it was an
derstood that Lucy was to be the future
mistress of Abheylands.
The two families were curiopsiy COR
trasted. and might seem to have little in
common. The Foragers were people of
small means. and obliged through this
straitness 10 breathe the improbable air
of fields and trees; but secretly the lady
preferred to basi in the sultry glare of
gas light. and thought artificial flowers
more elegant than natural. She had a
good easy husband, a perfect gentleman
in thought and behavior but whom long
association with this worldly wife, and
natural weakness Of disposition, had grpd
ually accommodated to all her ''ways."
She would have preferred. of course.
pitching her tent some squeezed Gttk.
dolls house in Ma Fair, where she and
her family would have enjoyed poor
health little light anj accommodation.
nut a short visit TO Aaueylands dis,ov-
cred small two-storyel house. a few
minutes walk from those dear good
people" the Burtons. so advantageous in
a tactical point of view. that she lost no
time in setting up her small batteries
there. The two families from the mere
score of situation became prod,gious,y in
innate; every day detachments passed 10
and fro through the little wicket gate
which separated both: and young Tom
the guardsman was Fin nj out" now
fetching Lucy, now seeing her home
again, during the frequent visits he eame
down TO pay his family.
Ned Burton, 'the major" as no WINS
called, having served long in a marching
regiment. saw the progress OF this ar.
rangement with great interest. lie was
cheerful. hearty good-natured fellow
whom every one esteemed and loved liz
ing to see his friends but liking most of
all the company of his five smaller chill
dren; with them he was like grown.ur
school boy. now bursting into tho school
room of n fine morning whel, they were
learning their French verbs. and. To IN,
perpetual annoyance Of the goyerneSs. in
sisting on taking them all out for a ROM
in the Park, or u splash in the boat on IN,
pond.
Iu vain both mother ard goverpesse.
protested grayely against this serious il
reference with education. The hapl
father would receive their cxpostul ltioE
when the escapade was ever. with th'
awkwardncss OF a detected school boz
1ut was present., encouraging fresh dis
orders. Nothing delighted him 50 mucl