Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-12-01
CHAPTER XIV.


from that time began Rourke's open, dar-
ing rivalry Of the possessor of his old
home. Everything that Newley did at
Hohve was, as Rourke had said it should
be, outdone at Winter6eld. If Newley
had at all imagined it would be easy
to eclipse the late squire, that magma
ton could have lasted but very short
time. Whatever he might attempt, or
successfully carry out, at Hohve, was
presently excelled by something originated
by Rourke at Winterfeld.
Thus the summer went on, but the most
crievcus thing OF all was to see that, as
Newley increased his expenditure by every
justifiable means at Hohve, Rourke in
creased his at still more rapid pace at
Winterfeld. Again and again would one
of his real friends endeavor to arrest him
in his random career, but arguments seem
ed of little use.
sThe cases are so different" they would
say. "Newley, with more money at his
command than he knows what to do with,
may safely try his experiments and carry
out his wilkins but you, with the i'm
measurably smaller means. leave these far
DPllnu anu TuSu lllO What Sudli lOldill
eclipse them. So, having the higher
tastes, as well as the lower funds, the
expense to you is simply ruinous."
$50 are other things" would Rourke
say carelessly; "it will all be the same
in hundred years"
A lie which has been, and will be, the
corner stone of many an edifce of self
destruction.
You viii have to retrench rapidly if
much longer, Mr.. Trenham," his lawyers
would say, in tone meant to be all
convincing; and Rourke would answer
that it was all right; and he would re-
trench-presently.
Newley had the estate for life; and
if he, Rourke, could not pay his own
debts, his sons would do so for him.
Even if that thief went on selling the
timber through all the time of his oc.u-
patton, Hohve would still be the most val
liable estate In the county, and Writer
field itself by that time would be worth
talking of-all thanks be due to Mr.
Bartle, as Trenham would add, WITH the
touch of pathos which belonged to aim.
So all advice and arguments fell to the
ground, not even taking root there, as
some will when most neglected, to flourish
after the seed is forgotten. 1t was quite
true that the farm was hourishing under
the watchful, never-tiring care of Abram
Bartle. Never did the old man utter a
word of WEAKNESS and hopelessness, as
he worked and planned at Winterield
during that anxious year; and never did
a cloud, save of a moments width, per-
haps, come between the two who had al
ways been so frank. and gentle, and loving
together. Even Athol had never the
heart to dissuade the old farmer from
his self-imposed task, though he saw that
the responsibility and the restlessness told
upon him. How could he, wien 1t was so
plain to him that this constant inter
course with the pure, simple, heaithful
mind of his uncle was one of RoIrke's
surest safeguards now: and that the old
mans happiest thought was that he was
necessary to his boy? As for doing him
good such thought was far indeed from
Abram in his humility.
'Rourke," he would say sometimes,
you will likely be fond of farming all
your HE OceAI kdQ 81 IL - UcttcK IOE YOU
to master it all as soon as you can. To
do that now, and have help further on,
is better than having little ready money
now, before you're farmer enough TO in
vest it in the very best way: isn't it?"
And Rourke-not in the slightest un-
Outstanding to what the old man alluded.
because he had never thought of him in
old times but as q comparatively poor
man-would say, without much thought
upon the matter. that of course il was
far better.
1t was on a calm September morning
a few weeks after this that Miss Shelf
ford and Lorraine were sent for TO see
Una and her baby boy. and what happy
sight it was for the younger sister no
one could guess.
Ii was arranged. at Lorraine's own re-
quest, that Miss Shefford should remain
at the farm and Lorraine return alone,
bat through all the afternoon and even
ing she fingered. unwilling to leave, and
lowering softly about the room where Una
lay, or the temporary nursery into which
Rourke's dressing room had been convert
ed. She was lingering, here. waiting for
the DdIy 70 8NaAc- alN "a Inc
window in the soft radiance of q golden
harvest sunset. when Athol entered the
room.
YES. thank Cod be answered. with
a gratitude almost IS deep as hers
"Ah. he is waking. Give him TO me
before l go nurse" said Lorraine, hold
ing her arms for the little one and smil-
ing down into his sleepy face
Closely and tenderiy she held him. her
heart throbbing, her eyes bright in their
deep gratitude. not even seeing Athol IS
he fingered beside her. only thrilling In
every fiber of her frame TO the glad con-
sc;ousness that she held Una's baby
Rourke's baby. new. sure. matches
bond between them. new incentive. deep
and strong and tender. for RourSe's bet
ter life.
~He. at AM rate" said AthOl. quietly.