Year: 1879

listed on his side, and she longed to see the
wish of his heart carried out, if this were
practicable and she did not specially yearn
toward Emily Houghton as daughter-in-law,
That young lady still remained unwed, and,
as far as anybody knew, unlikely to enter
the matrimonial estate; and the Coventrys
(though perhaps this was excusable preju-
dice on their part) really believed that it lay
quite within the bounds of Franks persua-
sive powers to win her hand and her fortune,
if he pleased to make the attempt. / do not
mean that Frank shared this belief, for there
was no man living freer from vanity than
himself And he always grew slightly i'm
patient when efforts were made to impress
the fact upon him that he had but to try to
succeed. In a quiet way, such efforts were
continually brought to bear upon him. Both
Eleanor and Grace shared their fathers anxi-
ETY. to make the match, and were more per-
sistent than judicious in their attempts to
bring it about. Franks chief comfort was in
Lena, to whom he could talk without re-
straint and next to her, his mother, though
with the latter he was more guarded, feeling
that she was bound, in measure, not to op-
pose his fathers will, and could, therefore, not
be so complete recipient of his confidence.
Lady Coventry, moreover, shared the general
belief that all idea of recovering Mildred
was hopeless, and for this reason, while un-
willing to persuade him into marrying against
his will, she thought it only right to discour-
age the thought Of his ever carrying out the
long cherished plan of making the lost girl
his wife. Lena believed with Frank that
she would yet be found; and many was the
long and earnest talk these two would have
together, sometimes with the result Of she'd
ding cheerful ray into poor Franks bur-
dened soul, even though the tightening Of bis
sorrow was but transient.


eff my hands were not SO tied, I'd start
off this very hour, and roam the world over
but what I'd find her," he would say some
times. "But how can leave? My father
won't have me out of his sight, hardly; and
I suppose it's my duty to stick by him in
trouble, and not go running after shadow,
as he calls it. .


Franks hands were indeed tied, just now.
In addition to mental anxiety, Sir Francis
had suffered much in bodily health of late,
and depended upon his son to look after his
affairs when he was unable to attend to them
himself: Sometimes the family thought that
the day was not far distant when the estate,
with all its encumbrances, would descend
wholly into the management Of the young
heir, and its present masters responsibilities
and anxieties and remorse, be forever laid
aside in the silence and quiet of the grave.
In such moments as these, Franks personal
trouble-that is, his chief, nearest trouble,
generally overshadowing all the rest-would
be merged into his solicitude for his father,
and his desire to do all he could to soothe and
comfort him. Those were melancholy days
at Beechwold, the saddest the old place had
ever seen. Frank began to feel very old, and
worn look settled upon his face that bis
mother grieved to see But it was no wonder
that he should have this look, with 30 heavy
a pressure upon his mind.


At this juncture Of affairs, Eleanor received
an offer of marriage from gentleman Of very
good family and fortune, who proposed going
abroad to live. The English climate did not
suit his health, and he desired to make his
home in Italy, where he had already passed
some years, if be could win Eleanor's consent
to spend her life so far from home, with occa-
sional visits to her family and friends. Sir
Francis demurred. He liked Mr.. Churchill
we'll enough, but he did not like the notion of
Eleanor going away permanently, though she
confessed herself not averse to the plan, since
her lovers health was concerned. At last,
compromise was effected. Nine months of the
year were to be spent in Italy, and the re-
naming three at Dutton, which was to be put
into habitable condition. A day was fixed
for the wedding, and the pair were to set off
Immediately on bridal tour, and Dutton was
to be ready for them on their return.


Soon after this arrangement was made, Ell
eanor came, one day, to her fathers study,
with request to be allowed to speak to him
on little matter of business. Business was
so far out of Eleanor's line, that Sir Francis
was good deal surprised by the request.
However, of course, he was ready to listen to
all she had to say, which will not take long to
repeat. She had merely come to tell him
that she was willing and anxious to give up
Dutton, which had so long been destined for
her marriage dowry. She could not see the
use of keeping it as home, when it would
have to be shut up nine months in every year,
doing no good to her or to anybody else.


Sir Francis felt thrill Of satisfaction at
the proposal. Still he demurred about &C.
ceding to it. "You know, my dear, the place
has always been intended for you, on your
marriage" he said. "Even if you don't live
there altogether, it would be well for you to
have it for home.''


"If I don't live in England but three
months out of the year, papa, it would be
no home to me. Mr.. Churchill thinks, with
me, that it would be much better to give it
up"


"You have spoken to him about it, then"


eyes, we were speaking of it last evening.
I thought you would not object. While we
we've in England we could easily take fur
nished house, or live in lodgings or we might
stay here in Beechwold, part of the time at
any rate."