Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-04-17

Mrs. Kemp Ferrall.>
that outbreak of Stephens means TO
those whose families have been New
Workers since New York was 1t Is
ominous, 1t is more than olninous. II
means that the master vice has seized
on one more Siward But | shall nev-
err. never admit it to his mother"
The younger girl sat. wide eyed,
silent. The elders gaze was upon her,
but her thoughts, remote, conferred on
the hapless mother Of such son.
"Such indulgence was once fashion
able. Moderation is the present fash
ion. Perhaps he will fall into line."
said Mrs. Ferrall thoughtfully. 1.-The
main thing is to keep him among peo-
pie, not to drop him. The gregarious
may be shamed, but II anything. any
incident happens to drive him outside
by himself, If he should become soli'
tary. there's not chance In the world
Cor him. It's pity. know he meant
to make himself the exception to the
rule-and look! Already one carouse
of his has landed him in the daily pa
persp
Sylvia flushed and looked up. Grace,
may ask you question:
"Yes, child" she answered absently'
HAS it occurred to you that what
Won have said about this boy touches
me very closely"
Mrs. FerralPs wits returned nimDly
from woolgathering, and she shot a
startled, inquiring glance at the girl
beside her.
"You-you mean the matter Of hered-
ity, Sylvia"
Eyes. think my uncle, Major Bel
wether chose you as his august mouth
piece for that little sermon on the dan
gers of heredity-the danger OF being
ignorant concerning what women OF
my race had done-before came into
the world they found so amusing"
81 told you several things" returned
Mrs. Ferrall composedly. "Your uncle
thought it best for you to know"
"Yes. There was, If ] understood
you, enough of divorce, Of general in
discretion and irregularity to seriously
complicate any family tree and coat OF
arms l might care to claim
"Sylviaw
The girl lifted her pretty bare shoul'
ders. "Im sorry, but could l help 1t!
Very we'll: all can do Is to prove a
decent exception. Very we'll; I'm do
Ing 1t, am | not-practically scared into
the first solidly suitable marriage Of
fered, Selling the unfortunate How
ard with both hands for fear he'd get
away and leave me alone with only a
queer family record for company!
Very we'll! Now, then, want to ask
you why everybody in my case didn't
go about with a sanctimonious face
and dolorous mien repeating: Her
grandmother eloped! Her mother ran
away! Poor child; she's doomed
doomed!"
Sylvia, r.
"Yes; why didn't they? That's the
way they talk about that boy Out
there" She swept rounded arm to-
ward the veranda.
Eyes, but he has already broken
loose, while YOU
$50 did I-nearly. Had 1t not been
for you, you know well enough
might have run away with that dread
full Englishman at Newport, for
adored him-I did, I did, and you
know 1t, And look at my endless es
capes from compromising myself Can
Won count them? All those indiscre
lions when mere living seemed to In
toxicate me that first winter, and only
nv uncle and you to break me In"
I'm other words" said Mrs. Ferral
slowly, "you don't think Mr.. Siward Is
getting what Is known as square
deal?"
mo, don't. Major Belwether has
already hinted-no not even that but
has somehow managed to dampen my
pleasure in Mr.. Siward."
Mrs. Ferrall considered the girl be
side her, now very lovely and flushed
in her suppressed excitement.
"After ALL" she said. "you are going
to marry somebody else. So why be
come quite so animated about maj
you may never again see?"
81 shall see him If | desire to-"
"Ohv"
81 am not taking the black veil. an
| II" asked the girl hotly..
"Only the wedding veil. dear. But
| after all, your husband ought to have
something to suggest concerning
common visiting list
"He may suggest, certainly. In TIT
meantime l shall be loyal to my owl
friends and afterward. too" she muir
INJURED to herself as her hostess rose
calmly dropping care like a mantle
from her shoulders.
go and be good to this poor youn,
man. them adore rows-and you'll
: have few on your. hands. I'll war