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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Times, 1900-08-03, Page 7d 8Q�ia�lo 40�---.ta►o-.-.ass BY NJI. ANii[t_raT I l(Uo u41lAL-a1 ORTNn. .ss--stOM--•eo Copyright, 1808, by Jeannette S. Walworth. fl'f'r's'''g':z',. THE 'MOAN TIM AUGUST of this proposed tour of foreign parte. • Ms Clay was proving distinctly disap- i,o uttng, but he neat not advertise that fact to all tile world, With dull ears he beard ills guardian's voleo. "Naw, when your dear father and I projected this identical tour cul` lnten- tion was to go directly to Paris"—tile Paper cutter halted direetty .over the black spot sinnding for that fascinat- iug luetropoils-•"and front them"— With rebellion in his heart Tem was Summing up leis. grievanees, Ulivla had not emerged promptly on his ar- rival. IIer long delay bad the effect of waking him feel crudely premature and not eagerly welcome. MI the sparkle had beau blown off the day by her tarrying. Her father excused her ou the Score of a hlatdache, superin- duced by loss of rest, When She did Metter however, cool and fresh in her crisp, pretty house gown, with shining eyes and red ripe lips, it was .lrnpos$1- bre to accept that fiction of a headache. "We piauued to remain in Paris six weeks on our pest visit, couflnlntaY our- selves principally to the art galleries ant the places of historic interest. You see that was or Would, have been just after the days of the commune." Tom's ears reported his guardian's words, and when Ohvta diel come ht5 heart complained. Ile had gone for- ward eagerly to meet her, almost ar- dently. She must have read all iris adoring thoughts to his burning eyes and flushing cheeks, His telltale cheek~ had gone flaming hot at sight of her. Site had craned at him. as indulgently as If he had been a young spaniel frisk- me at her heels, and for the brief space '(ad, You're right, I've got wore. to ,do. I've been wanting to say some things to you that no one else could say as well nor as safely,, things no- , 'body else would date to say. Sit here on this hassock, close by my feet, boy, lend try to usl the trumpet when you ons w4'r ltle. »"reEsii you won't hove Ko bawl se that they eau hear you ail over the county." "So far as I can see," said Tom, ex- .perilnentltlg gently with the trumpet, "there's no one to hear us unless it is Miss Malvina'S canary bird pr that old red rooster yonder scratching up the :flower beds, Shall I drive hila away?" She laid a heavy hand on his shoui- •der. "No; sit still. Malvina will be 'coming back presently, and she'd be in,. t, 'the way," She leaned forward until her thin lips ..almost touched his healthy pick ear. "Thomas, where is all of your moth- •er's and your Aunt Lucetta's tine Jewelry?" "Jewelry? 1 don't know, .Spillman. 1 didn't know they bad :any." "They had thousands of dollars' Worth, boy.• They had diamonds and pearls and Etruscan gold sets and •cameos and, tbe dear knows what be- sides. Many a time when I, as a min - litter's wife, ought to have been frown- ing down such frivolities have I sat :gloating over their beautiful gems, real works of art, that were kept in one great lacquerware box wht~n your dear mother and aunt were alive. They were a fortune in themselves. Ob, they were 'dressers, those two dear ';wouleni Not that they ever overdid 'it, though. Where is that box now, :Thomas?" Tom laughed carelessly. "I have not the slightest idea. 'Mother' Spillman. :Inever heard of the existence of all that :splendor before. I suppose my father ;would have put such things in bans: :Somewhere. 1 and glad to know so many pretty things are in waiting for .my future wife." "Your future wife?" • "Why, yes. Of course 1 am going to have one some of these days, 'Moth-. e' `Spillman. You would not have the go without?" "No. Oh, no'. But, 'Tom, about those jewels." She was leaning toward him, twisting her knotty fingers uervousiy about each other. "I remember one especially beautiful pearl necklace of your Aunt Lucettn's. Your father brought it to ber from Paris. 1 don't suppose there was another one like It Jie the whole country -15 large pearls aught into a rosette. with a big opal in the center and strings of pearls on either side." "It must have been very pretty, but 1 never saw it," said• Tom absently. The necklace that had encircled 011ie's round white neck the night before had made no separate impression tlpondiim. Ile had seen nothing but a pair of love- ly, laughing eyes. rippling yellow hair and sweet smiles. IIe was thinking of them now. This accurate description of his aunt's wonderful necklace sug- gested nothing to him. "Mother" Spill - Man shook her head impatiently. She 'lid not want to shock him if she could avoid it. She just wanted to open his eyes gradually. "And, Thomas, the silver! My, what a lot of It you do owns There are few young fellows who could start house- keeping as grandly as you could. Your dear mother was proud of, her family plate—silver tureens and great massive pitchers and trays"— Tom laughed gleefully, "Why, this is getting to he quite in- ' teresting. I feel like Cinderella iu trousers, with all my pumpkins turned into -jewels and silver plate." "Eh, Tom? Where is it all?" "I did not know of its existence,. 'Mother' Spillman. Of course after Mother and Aunt Lu died father and I 7Ived very simply. I was only G when be and 1 were left alone, and 1 have been off at school since 1 was 11. I g•bank rtr arein 1. b sc thin 5 niito Suppose OSE. n np eotnewhere. 1 don't know much about any nffairs as yet." "Ilut you are getting to be a man Blow, Thomas, acrd you ought to be looking after your own affairs. • You cgs to you. uhtto know what Belo J g , ,. ti were the c \rt}. •,of t1 • nteries j j',�Tbelc ince + even describing the most valuable ,ones. null of the silver. I'ltnow what 1 ism talking about, Thomas. I ought to: 1 helped your dear mother snake out those luventories, You Ought ht to know all this, Thomas " . The closing admonition of ills fa- ther's unfinished setter tingled into his themery. "I suppose when the proper tante comesI Will, 'Mother' Spillman.itliun n. t ltttve been too busy with, my Hooks up ' 4,date. But Mr, Matthews"— Here he received a violent surprise. The old woman laid her two hands on the coat lapel nearest her and shook it • very touch after the fashion of n w- rier pouncing on a rat, "Don't trust everything to hint, boy; don't, I say," "My father trusted hitt," Mid '!'out right loyally (he flung the words at iter Angrily with help from the tt'utuilot), "'trusted Mitt utterly anti rt!ways. They ;Were like brothers. Prom my ent'lles:t thtldbeed I have bad ,ft,„ Matthews held up to pie as nn exemplar, a than of probity and. good judgment, Yoti Must not slander guy gunrdliin to my presence, 'Mother' Spiliuiuli. 1 can't arrow It. Excuse me if I seem rude." "I see,, 1 see! Ile lifts liewitelrcd you as be bewitched your father before you and his sister before him. If one should come back from the dead to warn you. It would do no good, no good, Thomas." Tom recoiled with a nervous laugh, a poor assumption of ease. The flow- ers wrapped about his father's letter, the marked passage In his father's Bi- ble, the dimly descried figure bending over his father's desk, all rushed into his mind clamoring for recognition as celestial messengers whore lie had. treated with scant courtesy. He took refuge in levity. "Olt, come now, 'Mother' Spillman! 1 have great respect for spooks and anz sure I should never dare to treat Gem with disrespect. But a more mot'. &oM le quite another thing. It would +'et be an easy task for any one in tete Den to convince me that my guardtau WAR otter than the high toned gentle man and clear headed business man my father's selection of him • as a• friend and my guardian proves him. I think I can safely intrust lay affairs to him until I am ready to take the hemi myself." At which the old woman's wrath flamed out fiercely. Tom had risen from the hassock while speaking. It was time for him to go on to the Mat- thews'. '.Mother' Spillman rose, too, confronting him majestically. She' stretched out one palsied hand impe- riou5ly. "Don'ts spear of Horace Matthews and Rufus Broxton in the sante breath, at least not in my presence Don't cou- ple thoughts of them in your pure young soul. It is desecration. ' I am wasting my. breath. My words are falling on deaf ears. But the time may come when you will ask in bitter- ness of spirit why no one warned you against Horace Matthews. It shall not be on my conscience that I was too great a coward to do it. I tell you. Thomas l3roxtort"— llother!" Miss Malvina stood in the doorway regarding her mother angrily. The loud tones of the quavering old voice had carried beyond the front gate. The im precatiou that was ready to be hurled at the lawyer's bead sunk into a plain- tive whine. "They are all against inc. Every- body's.for him. Even my owu child is ready to revile me for llorace Mat- thews." Tom stood looking from one to the other of his two old friends with pity - 1900, the gate. Clarence WestoverWas 0.II one, and the Westover ceitel ZIUll WA* ,.• MoMULLEWS POULTRY NEii9Ptt '''.1:771"11 LFENOINGS of time lapsing between his coming and the' summons to dinner she had patronized lilm so openly that she had. successfully imposed upon him an un- comfortable sense of extreme juvenil- ity. Ile gnawed his budding mustache in impotent rage. - "Poor, dear Rufus!" his guardian droned. "He had the making of a floe artist in him, Doubtless that six weeks in Paris would have been most profit- ably spent by us. From Paris we meant to go by easy stages"—here the paper cutter ambled erratically over the map, descriptive of the easy stages 1 —"until we reached I+ lot euee — I'lor- ence, the home of classic art, the scene of Immortal Savouarola'S unap- preciated efforts and martyrdom." What a finished young lady the pret- ty little thing had blossomed into on the strength of a debut! He had tried to talk to her of the future, giving it a tinge of common interest—°hers, his, theirs. She had ptesisted in question- ing him, \vita a matronly air of supe- rior age, about his studies and his wardrobe and his physical condition. IIe bad alluded to his guardian's wish that he should travel and intimated that half a dozen words from her ad- verse to the project would settle his mind permanently. No power on earth could make ]rim put the sea between her and him if she would bid him stay. Instead she had wrinkled her pretty brows sagely and said: "Yes; papa and I talked all that over before you came home, Tom, dear. It is really the right thing for you to do. A mu is so crude, ,so incomplete, you know, until. he has seen something of the world, until be has treasured himself by oth- er standards. Now, there is lir. West- over"— Tom stared at the map of Europe with hot cheeks. Reason convicted him. of having acted very like a fool at that juncture. "Father or son?" he asked bluntly. "Son, of course, "011ie had answered sweetly. "Ile is only three years older than .you, Tom, dear, but he is -so pol- ished, so cultivated, so broad, entirely owing to,travel, you see." "I admit his perfections," Tom had snapped with the rudeness of an un- traveled donkey. "I like him immensely," 011ie had re- torted, with arched eyebrows and frosty emphasis, ttfliich bad rade 'tom rejoice in the summons to the dining room. He bad followed his lofty young hostess 10 meek silence. He wondered if she would pin a nap- kin about Itis neck and cut up his food for hint. She was assuming such vast- ly superior airs he was prepared for anything, everything. IIe was ready to sunrl at everybody. iiis lovely vision was fading behind a bank of dark, leaden clouds. • - Olivia looked at him furtively once or twice during the rather constrained meal, She wished her father had not thought it necessary to ware her against Tom's "boyish foolishness." It hacl macre everything so difficult, so awkward, and it was "spoiling the poor dear's holiday." But "papa had said" lie would be seriously angered if she allowed Tom to pay her any sort of loverlike attentions. And so ,the awkward dinner had dragged its slow length froth soup to coffee, and 011ie had not followed the , fond- ly tar as Torn had ltitotic library, 1 men hoped she would. iie cclitk1 never clearly recall ill his guardian hacl said to him during that prolix introductory talk about his own affairs. IIe know it had contained hints abou t financialla1 losses, invest- ments rC5t- mtuts that bad not turned ne1 ut as they should, depreciation in real estate, fail- ure of railroad stocks to pay dividends, With a lot niot'e of dry business talk Which had nothing in the wide world e h'tt 011ie. At t iexactslt' With 0 llc to do n there Was uo Other stlbjCCt tattler situ that held any Interest for him. But his conscience smote him with ingratitude to his guardian, Who bad spent Weeks mriplting out a pleasant foreign trip for him, aid so be closed his heart and opened his mouth with a valiant ShOW of littered. ink 1 "And So from Berlin, yeti tri had best go on to Vienna, sir's" Mr. Matthews robbed his 'chin re- Electively, With eyes on the map. In the peruse that follOWed tt onl's goes, tion a. great clatter of hods filled the air. "rote silt facing the yard gate. His elbows i boor: and' rte sat Yip very yj. aro not suvp tuned iu flux "WOULD. Their Woven Wirtz Fe lc ings have stow. s, stood over fifteen year, of very snccess#rr'li ? testing on P.A.ItM and I AILWA3.. Special offers made this year on 116 These goods are 'x11 manufactured by Tire Ontario Wire Fencing Co., limited, of Ricton, Orli, 'or'sale by the Ilardwaoe Merobe1AS and General Dealers throughout Canada. Also by the Can. Hardware Jobbers. Gen, Agents—The I3. Greening Wire Co., of Hamilton and Montreal. Agent for Railway Fencing—Janes Cooper, Montreal, Dir Correspondenee with the manufacturers invited. t r 011ie sailed lista the r lam buttoned to the elan tri a pretty dcti'1 green habit. on another, leading a third on which was a lady's sidesaddle, Westover alone dismounted and strode briskly up the walk. rive minutes later 011ie sailed into the room buttoned to the chin In a pretty dark green habit. She held out one small gauntleted hand to Tom. "I'm so sorry, Tom, dear, that papa appointedtoday for you to spend with us. Ile didn't know then that Jeanne Westover had asked me to try a riding horse for her. She is awfully afraid of horses, but said it I liked this one she would keep it. Her broth- er says it is a darling," Mr, Matthews got up from the table and walked out of the room by her side. Tom retained his seat and a sulky silence, All of ga sudden the map of Europe developed an immense fascination for him. Ile glued his e She stretchod out one p lsied hand in - In a eyes. humor bad informed him that "Mother" Spillman was "getting queer," but he bad no idea that the wreck of her mind had progressed so far. Miss Malvina touched her own fore- head significantly. Tom nodded his comprehension. ffe took up his hat. Malvina followed to the gate. "Tom, dear, of course you will for- get every word she said against Mr. 111attbews. I didn't bear her, but I know her mania. It's nothing but a mania, Toni. I can't fancy what ever has given her poor, feeble brain such a twist in that direction. She's gone crnulty—1 can't deny it—•poo rdentt Ev- erybody knows Mr. Matthews is just above suspicion of any sort, Tom." Tom saki "Of course," with a twinge of self reproach for having even listen- ed to anything to the contrary, and rode away Withhis big heat,. as full of connntisetatiou for the mother and clatighter as it Was empty of the sus- picion the old woman had tried to pour lute It. ' gaze to it to the exclusion of allthe world besides. He could hear his guardian outside discussing the horse with Westover. "You say it is a new horse, West- over, one you know nothing about?" "Nothing but what his previous own- er tells me. He vouches for the beast's goodness of disposition. William, there, t has tried him rwithr'a riding skirt,and I have been riding bin) for a week. Oh, I guess lie's gentle and all that! But Jeanne wanted Miss Matthews' opin- ion of his gait. She says a man can't judge of what is pleasant riding for a woman." "She is quite right," said 011ie,c`With decision. "He cannot" Then she tip- toed to kiss her father. "Now, don't go and spoil my lovely ride, papa, by conjuring up all sorts of imaginary dangers. You know I can manage, a horse, if there is any one thing ou earth I can manage, and Mr. Westover says he is perfectly gentle." "Oh, yes, to be sure! A sheep is fiery by comparison, 'pon honor. sir. My sister Jeanne Is a notorious cow- ard. You don't think I would let AIiSs Matthews run any risk?" This with an ardent look at Olivia. The three walked down the steps to- gether, Westover cutting at the shrub- bery with his whip, 011ie bolding her pretty bead well up under the little gayly plunged riding bat, Mr. Mat- thews with his hare bead gleaming white and venerable in the bright sun- shine. Toni took it all in gloomily with- out once losing his interest in the map of Europe. There was certaiuly notb- fng about the new horse's appearance te.inspire apprehension. Ile stood with Iris head hung dejectedly, as If he knew and resented the fact of having been recently and somewhat unfavorably criticised:' . "Now, a, does he look danger- ous?" 011ie crtd, laughing triumphant- ly as she ran Illeatirfol'ward to mount the horse block. "I can't say that lie does. In fact, 1 think I may says positively that he does not. But be careful, my darling. West- over, don't let her be reckless. She loses ber head when she mouuts a horse. I tbluk there must Kaye been a jockey among her ancestors." After watching the start tbe lawyer turned slowly back toward the house with his bend bent and his hands fold- ed behind his back. He was in no par- ticular hurry to get back to the library. In spite of -all that had been said, a lin-, geeing sense of uneasiness beset him. Ile wee always uneasy when Olivia was alit of his sight. She"'was his idol, his all. What a clever little witch she was, too, older than her years by reason of her life- long companionship with hila! How adroitly she had managed to let Tom Broxton see that there must not be any love passages between thele! And such a slight hint he had given her! No; for years yet he wanted no lovers about, but if they must collie Tom Broxton perhaps should have his op- portunity. !Under some circumstances Clarence Westover would be as accept- able as another. 11io Westovers held a fine position in the world and had the money to maintain it on. Olivia must have both. She was his idol, his all. For her sake he would— He started and lifted his head. He was bads in the library. Tom Broxton was looking at him with such keen di- rectness that his own eyes fell before the boy's. -"I have been studying the map, sir; since yott have been out of the room, Mitte- nsT ale quite satisfiedivIth the to ns you have marked it cut. Aicl. Air. Matthews"—he rose from the table, pushing the map nutty with an irri- tated inottok— "we need not diseuss the matter any further. I ata ready to Start is 5000 as cetllmeneeltlent is over, the sooner the better." Ile was very pale, and his lips Were set 'firmly at the corners. Yes, the day had been an titter failure, and he want- ed to get beek to Broxton before 011ie and 'Clarence Westover got back froth their ride. He knew now why 011ie had no welcome to bestoty on him. "I suppose Y will find my horse In alta anted A Travelling GENERAL An experienced canvasser, or a man with good character and address, with the necessary abilii;y to travel from tow9 to town and appoint agents. No canvassing. Salary and ex- penses paid. merit, Position permanent and promotion according to? The Bradley-Garv'etson, Co., BR .`;i1rPT.F OR D, ONT. everaaamovvvvvosmavomvavvvaa 44i.e0.Tee4I# r. . TEE TIMES is Up -to -Date. • 1 In Office Stationery A superior stock of CHAPTER VIII. Tt z AN ACCIDENT. Fining a coldly rebuking eye upon the moody young face opposite Win, Me. Matthews tapped the library table iitlpntiently with it paper eutter. r; not "1utas you air. • id 'Thomas, tri n afraid, at giving me your undivided attention." And '!'out, blushing guiltily, said he was afraid be was not. Ile tried to matte amends by stating stolidly at the Map of Europe which lay Spread out on the table between him and his guard- ian, The` ivory paper eutter once more restinted its peregrinations. lie could command his eyes and his ears even if his heart had gone astray. By planting his elbows ou the table and firmly clamping his jaws between both hands he secured the attention of those useful organs and put them en- tirely itt his guardian's service, tut his heart and brains 'Were another mot - ter. Motet played truant and absolutely refused to be drawn into eonsldei'ation BILL HEADS, DS9 MEMORANDUMS, S9 STATEMENTS.ENVThLOP. SHIPPING TAGS, CARDBOARDS, aC. ALWAYS ON HAND. We employ skilled. workmen, have the latest designs in type, execute first-class work and charge reasonable prices. Give • us a trial for your next stationery. 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