Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1907-06-06
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! The Travelling Companion
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

by Mrs. Nation and her daughter fol
entertaining their intended English
visitor, young Andrew Carten, who, il
was understood, would be attended
by his travelling servant or compan
ion, Mr. Bearsley. Mrs. Nation was
a widow, having married at an early
age; her daughters were but seven
teen and eighteen
What brought Carten to the quiet
home of the Nations the Nations
could not divine.
Mother" said Laura, the younger
| daughter. 81 wish they were not com
ing; I'm afraid of Mr.. Carten already
I don't think that he should come here
to mar our peace"
YES" said her sister Annie, who
had just returned from the gardens,
''why should man like that want to
| contemplate an American girl engaged
at work as I have been? Then that
companion-I suppose he has d wig
and quotes Latin, has thin legs and
is afraid of dogs. Indeed, mother, they
will both be displeased with u.s.
Daughters" said Mrs. Nation, "Mr.
Carten's father, though only distant
cousin, was kind to me, and had |
chosen to remain with my kin in Eng
land, I'd never have had to see ny
self so poor as we are now. | mar
ried poor and tried my fortunes with
yOur father here alone"
In the train approaching Harper sat
Carten and Bearsley; the latter was
evidently nervous, as he remarked to
his companion:
"Carten, my boy, it is good Of you
to take me to see Mary CrestOn, or
Mrs. Nation, as she is now. If | find
that ought not to remind her of her
former love for me by revealing my
identity, can go away again and she
will never know"
Arriving at the Nations place at
night only Mrs. Nation received them.
The Englishmen were pleased. The
simplicity and natural beauty of the
surroundings assured them CT com
plete repose, while Bearsley was more
delighted in finding Mrs. Nation at
tractive.
At breakfast on morning soon
after their arrival Carten suggested a
fishing jaInt.
On their way to the river Mrs. NAL
ton found herself committed to Bears
leys charge, whose greater experience,
it was argued, would be of much adj
vantage to her. Their conversation
turned upon England, as they sat
watching their lines, and Bearsley
showed an acquaintance that sur
prised and pleased her.
Carelessly Bearsley remarked: did
you know Thomas Welton of that sec
ton, great friend of your cousins
family?"
With a blush Mrs. Nation said
eyes," and a blush with her inquiry
as to what had become Of him be-
trayed her interest, if not her deeper
feelings.
Bearsley told her that Thomas was
now Sir Tom that after life S. ent
in travel he had returned to his home,
where he lived alone. "They say,
too, he loved once, years ago. a girl
who was Mary Creston, that for her
sake he will never marry!" Bearsley
added.
Mrs. Nation blushed still deeper,
and said she had some knowledge of
the girl. Bearsley. fearing he might
81 petr too bold for one in his posi-
ton, desisted.
On returning from their excursion
Mrs. Nation sought out Carten alone,
and inquired as to Bearsley. Said
she: HE seems not only intelligent
in his service as your companion, but
a gentleman in your own walk of life.
Tell me what is he-whO is hep
81 can only say, Mrs. Nation, that
he is above the present condition, that
he is a gentleman. Whatever he tells
you may be relied upon, and you can
take his word as you would your
fathers"
Time went by and tn eyisitors were
within a day of their leave talking;
the girls were sorry.
departure Bearsley sought Mrs. NAL
ton and suddenly addressed her:
"Mrs. Nation" said he, 1.-TWO weeks
ago to-day l thrust upon your notice
recoIlections of one who once loved
you-and whom you loved-Tom Vel
ton. 1 am Welton's messenger to ask
if you love him still. Welton has
loved you all these years; he knows
your life, it's hardships, it's pain and
its care Shall 1 take to him a mes
sage that will bring him across the
seas to your"
"Mr. Bearsley, I do not understand
you. But that Carton told me I could
believe all that you say, I'd fear to
talk. 1 did love Welton. I love him
vet, but he has not seen me for a
long while l am older, now the idol
of his youthful fancy is altered"
''Can I tell him he may cOrne?"
EYES," said Mrs. Walton, with emo
ton.
Then" replied he, "the message is
delivered. 1t changes Bearsicy into
Tom Welton, who is before you. Do
you know him? He begs you to for
give him his deceit, and to come to
his lonely life forever. Will you,
Mary? Will you?"
Mrs. Walton as Lady Welton went
with her husband to live near her
native home and from a closer prox-
unity there is nothing surprisi lg at
the more frequent visits of Carten to
the Misses Automatically Citizen.