Loading...
Zurich Herald, 1915-03-26, Page 2The L ' ' o LaIFS.,. t'e'r Or, Leonora West's Love. CHAPTEI' L Old Lady Lancarrter had Meaty theme and pounds a year of her own. She had brought that snitch dower when elle came to: her husband, the late Lord Lancaster, and now, when he was dead, and she a ehiidlers widow, she was like.the Martha ?� Holy Writ -she was troubled over many ngs. The pcseeesion of great wealth usually e fr✓iails trouble, h is said, and Lady Lan- caster's case was no exoeption to the rule. The greatest anxiety she had was that she could not deoide what she would do with her fortune when she died. She was eighty years old, and although she did not wane to die, she knew that she would have to do so some day, and she wanted to make her will before that gruesome event. The title end estates of Lancaster had deseet.ded to the late lord's nephew. Young Clive Lancaster. It was but a bar- ren honor, after all,for there was .no money to rrupport the dignity of the posi- tion, The deceased incumbent had been a spendthrift, and so had his father be- fore him. They had dissipated all the property that was not strictly entailed w ith the title, and the present heir had little to live on except his pay as a cap- tain in the army, where he still remained Lifter his accession to the title, while at his exprees wish and desire Lady Lancas- ter still reigned lady paramount at his ancestral home, and kept up its wonted dignity and state. She eaid she should leave all her money to Captain Lancaster if he married to please her. • If not -and she shook her gray head ominously, not to say viciously, at this point, and re- ni;tined silent, Laneaater Park was one of the loveliest place; in Devonshire, as Devonshire is one of the loveliest eolnnties in England. It seemed almost a pity that the young lord could not afford to marry end bring home a beautiful bride to grace hie state- ly home. No one doubted hut that when the time came he would espouse the brae hie aunt selected for him.. It would be folly, it would be madness, if he refused. No case supposed that the handsome young soldier could be capable of such rash- ness. Re did not dream of anything but obedience himself. He only_hoped tint, it would be a very pretty girl whom his aunt" chose for him, and also that the nt•atrinaonial hour was yet in teee dim die - teethe. lie was only five-anal-twoaty, and he did not care to surrender hie bachelor freedom yet. He was amazes pfd con- founded, therefore, when in a yens after his uncle's death Lady Lancaster sent him one of her characteristic letters - short and to the point: "My Dear Clive" -she wrbte-"try and get leave to conte down to Lancaster Park, fur a month or so this fall. I have -in- vited a lot of people for that time, among them the girl I have chosen for yon. Do not fail me. Delays are dangerous." 11 was rather a command than a re- quest, and the last words sounded like a threat. The young lord -captain was tak- en by storm. His heart sunk to the bot- tom of his tall cavalry. boots. He did not want to be married off -hand like that. He secretly .rebelled against a forced surren- der of his soldierly freedom, even though ho gained twenty thousand pounds a year in exchange tor it. He took counsel with hie chum, young Harry De Fere, who was a soldier, too. "I'm ower young to marry yet," he said. "How shall I outwit the old lady's designs upon me?" "Come over to America with me,“' said Lieutenant De Pere. "I have leave of ab- sence for six months.You can get it, too, by the :eking I am going over to the States to spend my holiday. I should be dielipanion. ' bted to have you for a coin - The idea.took hold of Captain Lancas- ter's imagination immediately. "T will go with you." he said. "I have always intended to make the tour of the United States, and if I do not go before I am married, it is not likely I shall do so afterward. I will write to my aunt to postpone her matrimonial designs a lit- tle while longer." Ila wrote to Lady Lancaster that he -was very eorry indeed to disappoint her, but that he had made a most positive engage- ment to go over to the States next month with his friend Harry De Vere, and now the young fellow would let himf, but as soon as they returned he ;Shouldbe at her ladyship's command, etc., etc. Lady Lancaster was profoundly annoy- ed and chagrined at her nephews letter. She did not want to postpone the consum- mation of her favorite scheme. But she wisely concluded to bear with the inevit- able this time. She wrote to the truant lord that she would excuse him this once, but that he must be ready to fall in with her plans next time, or it might be worse for him. Iler fortune was not likely to ge a -begging for an owner. CHAPTER II. Captain Lancaster got leave and went off in triumph with Lieutenant De Vere to the United States. When he had put the oeean between himself and his match- making relative, he breathed more freely, "I can count on one year more of single blessedness now, I hope," he said. "I do not suppose my aunt will try to have me married off by cablegram or a telephone while I am -absent." ORMS "Wormy," that's what'e the matter of 'em. Stomach and intestinal worms. Nearly as bad as distemper. Coat you too amuck .to feed 'em. Look bad -are ibad. Don't physic em to death. Spohri's Cure will remove the norms, improve thie appetite, and tone 'em up all round, and don't "physic." bets on glances and blood. Full directions witch each bottle, and sold by all dyuggiets. S1�uiild `MEDICAL CO.. Chemists.' Goshen, Ind, U.S.A.. De vera laughed at hie friend's self -cell* gretulations, "I never sane any 000 so unwilling to accept a fortune, before," he maid] "It is not the fortune I object to -it is the encumbrance I must take° with it," replied Captain ]•aancilater, ",Should a wife be regarded itys . an in. cumbrance?". inquired the other, with a mile, That would depend upon whether i+" were One'e one choice or somebody 01:er. T can not imagine old Lady�Itanetteto- „e• iu' letting an ideal wife for'e. "All the Sb In you will accept the one she provides for you. It would be mad- nees indeed to refuse," said his felend. "Well, wen, we will not discuss it. May the evil day be yet far off," responded Lancaster, fervently. Woe unto him if her ]adysltip,' £ar away under linglish skies,. could have heard his regrets, or. have known that ha had tale en hie trip solely to stave off the evil day of hie marriage, as he considered it. She was vexed over it. While elm deemed 1t an accident, she would have been furious- ly angry could she have known it to have been design. At home she was eating 11et' heart out with impittience and vexation, and eagerly- counting the weeks and months as they rolled away, thinking that each one brought her nearer to his return and to the aceom:pliebment ,of her cherished eeheme. The months raided by, and et length the winter was past and spring was at hand. It was April -that tender; timid month, with its violets and daisies. Lady Lancaster's heart beat more lightly. She had had a recent letter from• the travel. er. He wrote that he would be at home by the first of Pune. She began to lay her plans accordingly. She would have a merry party at the Park to welcome him home, and be should make up his mind then. There was no time, for delay; • She sent for the housekeeper •to come to her immediately. Site wanted to make all her arrangements at once, and she could do nothing without consulting Kris, West, the model housekeeper who -had ruled at Lancaster Park for sixteen years. My lady grew impatient 'while 'she eat in bey great velvet arm -chair and waited for the woman's coming, Her small blank eves snapped crossly, she wriggled her lean, bent body in its stiff brocade, and her bony little halide, with the great, jeweled rings hanging loosely upon them, grasp- ed the jeweled aerpent-head that topped hex "walking -cane with nervous energy as she gasped out, 'angrily: "Why don't the woman come?, How dare she keep me waiting?" The door opened . softly and Mrs. 1't'twt entered just in time to catch the imps, tient etclamation-a. very 'lady -like per- son indeed, in noiseless black silk, and a neat lace cap that surrounded a face only half as old as that of the 'lady of Lancas- ter Park. "I am very sorry that I kept you wait- ing, my•latly," she said, quietly, Then Lady Lancaster .looked up and saw an open letter in the housekeeper's hand, and the signs of inward' disturbance' on her 'venally unruffled countenance. 'erne know that I hate to be kept wait- ing, West," she said, "and you are us- ually very prompt. But I see that some- thing has happened thie time, so I am ready to exeuee your tardiness. What is it?" "You are right, Lady Lancaster. Some- thing has happened," said Mrs. West. She sunk down quietly, as she spoke, into the chair that her mistress indicated' by a nod of her grim, unlovely head., "I have had a letter with bad news in. I shall be obliged to quit your service." "Quit my service!" echoed Lady Lan- caster wildly. Her voiee rose almost to a shriek, ,it was so full of dismay and anger. "That was what I said, my • lady," re- iterated the housekeeper, deprecatingly. Lady Lancaster regarded her in fnore- dulous dismay a moment, then she burst oat. sharply: ''But I say you shall do no such tiling; I can not spare you, I can not get on without you at 'all -that is, not ,vieleout Nn , 7++,...,.�. e+H�F;•^r,�+':".:' to 'aa..i'�'s � � .-t. �.+..: ..•,:h"- y - .:'f" ;i..;: �••.•:_ '.� -. s. 'C TiGJ pa(�//�/�y..� �t�go73,a �jattezeu -- 1 • a -+ r t Dw SIM n�!„ trpara A Seaforth. Ont., Home painted with Hoskin Senour "100% Pure" Paint FE INSURA /Unpainted wood means decay. Not to paint your house, means a constant expense for repairs. Paint protects against wear and 'weather. , When you take out our "100ro Pure Policy', your house is insured against deoay. Such paint protection resists the destructive effects of climate and temperature, besides adding beauty and distinction to the home and value to your whole property. means life insurance for your home. The genuine White Lead, -OxidO of Zinc, Pure Colors and Linseed Oil—ground to extreme fineness by po'6erful machinery—form a combination that protects against decay. "100 Pure" Paint makes protection sure. It spreads easily, covors completely and is the cheapest in the end because it covers more space per gallon, In all colors for spring painting. Write for fit• cony of our amusing book, "The House That Jack '0uilt'. It sfull of pictures, rhymes aid reaaan, that yeti will enjoy as well as the children. We'll also give you the name of our nearest deeler•egent. 14-A Ti rEl �•,u° L•i 4remo 655 DliOL1ET STREET, MONTREAL. {. a 7x tDWARDS 7 4 Iw14 1.:ren minions -of pounds. of delicious "'Crown Brand" Corn' Syrup are sold every year to. mothers, just for the children, Mothers know it is practically all nourishment. They know it is a food.—that Bread spread with "Crown Brand". makes a well balanced food that sustains and builds up the strength. 1llothers know, too, that "CrownBrand" is the most economical "sweelening'L. for all sorts of Cakes, Pies, Puddings and Sanccs—and is the whole thing for deli- cious homemade Candies. "LTLY WHITE" is our pure whito Corn Syrup -not so prononneed in flavor as'Crown Brand" -equally choice for tate table and .for candy malting. ASK YOUR GROCER -IN 2, 6, 10 AND 20 POUND TINS. The Canada Starch Co., Limited, Montreal six months' warning to supply your The 'tetter rustled in Lady Lancaster's place." nervous grasp. She looked up thought- fully at the patient, waiting woman. "I could not refuse such a prayer as that, could I, my lady?" ehe asked, wist- fully. "You see, he was any husband's only brother -poor, handsome, willful Dick. His parents were both dead, a.nd he had only me and John, my husband. He was restless and ambitious. He ran away and left a letter that he should go to California and seek his fortune. From that day to this never a word has been heard of Dick. And now he's dead -not so old, either; only in the primo of ]ife- and he's lett mo ]tie little girl. She 'will be a trouble, I ]snow. I muet give up my quiet, peaceful home and make a new home for the child, somewhere. But I cannot refuse. I dare not, for John's and Dick's sake. I muet go to America and get the child. I can not do less than he asked ane. Ile was always reetless, poor Dick. He could not stay in his grave if X refused his dying prayer." "A month is the usual time, Lady Lan- caster," said the housekeeper, mildly; and then, as the old lady regarded her in speechless dismay, she added, quickly: "But I am sorry that I can not even give you a month's -warning to supply my place, for I em obliged to leaveyou right away. I have a long journey to take. I must cross the ocean." "Cross the ocean! Now, did I ever! Are Yon crazy, 'West?" demanded the old lady, wrathfully. "I knew you would think so," said MI's. West. "But if you will bekind enough to let me explainthe circumstances, you mightn't tlink so hardly of me, Lady Lancaster." No circumstances 'could excuse your going off in this way," flashed Lady Lan- caster. "There is Lord Laneaeter coming home b-' the first of June, and of course l must invite a party to meet him; and there are the rooms, and -and -everything to be seen to. No one knows my ways and my wishes -ike you who have been at Lancaster Park so many years: New, 'what am I to d0?" She lifted her wrinkled hands helplessly. "There will have. to be a, new house- keeper found, of course," hazarded Mrs. West, timidly "0h, yes; an ignorant creature who knows nothing, and who 'will have every- thing wrong, of course, just when I want all to be at its best," groaned the wizen- ed old aristocrat. "I call this downright ungrateful in you, West, this going Off just as we had got used.to each other'e .ways," Mrs. West suppressed a struggling smile arouud the corners of her lips, and, rising up, stood "respectfully before her hard mietrees. "My lady, I'm sorry you think so hard of me. Indeed, I would not leave you but for good cause," she said. "I had hoped and expected to spend all my days at Lancaster Park, but my duty calls me elsewhere. I assure you it is as hard for me as for you. Think how hard it is for me, a poor lone woman, to have to cross the ocean -at my` time of life, tool And then to have to take, a child to raise and spend all any earnings on -a child that's not kin to me, either, you understand, my lady!'. CHAPTER XII. •Lady Lancaster settled her gold -bowed spectacles on her long Roman nose, and fixed a keen, penetrating stare on the troubled face of her housekeeper. "Whose child ie it, and what is it all about anyhow?" she sputtered, vaguely. "It's my brother-in-law's child, and he's read away off in New York somewhere, and the child's left to ane -his penniless, friendless orphan child, left to me by the dead; and how could I refuse the charge, my lady?" inquired Mrs. West, reproach- fully. I should think the dead would game from his grave, away off yonder in America, to haunt me if I didn't do his bidding," cried she, glancing behind her w ith something like a shudder of supersti- t ious fear. I didn't know you were simpleton enough to believe in ghosts, West," sniffed my lady, contemptuously. - "And I didn't knllw you ever had a brother-in-law, either. Where has . he been all these years?" "If you will read thie letter, Lady Lan - easter, you will find out in fewer words than I can tell you," said Mre. West, re- spectfully present ng her tetter, which alt this time she had been holding open in her hand. My lady took the black -edged sheet into the grasp of her thin, bony hand, and ran her keen eyes down the written page. "Dear Sister-in-Laev"-it ran -"I kuow you've wondered many a time since I caught the gold fever and ran awa.y to California, twenty years ago, 'what's be- come of the willful lad that yon and John couldn't manage; although you tried eo hard and so faithfully, 1 always meant to write to you some day, but I put it off from time to time in any hard, busy life, until now We almost too late, and I seem to be writing to you from the borders of that other world where I've somehow heard my brother John went before ane, and where I'm hastening now. For I'm dying, sister-in-law, and I'm quite sure that I shall be dead before this comes to your hand, Well, I've had ups and downs in this life, sister Lues -good luck and 111 luck -and non° I'm dying I have one great caro upon my mind. I'm leaving my little girl, any pretty Leonora -named so ter hes' another, who died when her baby was horn -all alone in the cold, hard world. She is friendless, for we've led such h roving life since she was born that we, have,.made no friends to aid us now In our 'extremity, Dear sister-in-law, you were always a good woman. You tried to do your duty by' the wayward orphan boy wlto has so poorly repaid your care. Will you be kinder still/ Will you come to America and take my child for your own? Will you give her a mother's love and caro? Itssneinber, she is friendless and forsaken in the world, .without a living relative. What would become of her if you sena witch my dying Yorkea idressn-upon it. She will wait there after I am dead until you come for her. I fool sure that you will come; you .will not disregard my dying wish and request. Forgive lie till my ingratitude and thoughtlessness, els- tes Lucy, and be a mother to my darling; little Leo when 1 nm no more. "Your dying brother, 'Richard West." CHAPTER IV. Lady Lancaster, filled 'with chagrin and despair, sat gazing on the floor in silence. The thought of losing this trusty, cap- able woman, who had belonged to the staff of Lancaster Park so long, was:meet annoying to her. I had come upon her with all the suddenness of a calamity. She viewed it as nothing else. She was an old 'woman, and sho dislik- ed exceedingly to have new faces around her. Under Mrs. West's efficient regime the affairs of the house had gone on with the precision and regularity of clock- work. It would take a new woman years to attain to her proficiency. She had grown to regard the good hbusekeeper al- most as her own property -a piece of her personal goods and chattels. She could not help being angry at the thought . of losing her. It is ,too bad," she blurted out indig- nantly. "Why do folks go and die like thee, and leave their wretched brats on other people's hands." A faint"color crept into Mrs. West's comely face at the scorntful words, "My lady. it's the will of God," she said in her quiet, deprecating way. (To be continued.) Send For Free Book Reduce Your Roofing Costs, Protect Your Buildings From Fire, Lightning and Weather You accomplish all these results by using our heavily zinc coated 6CeE 9? asf a s x: Metallic Shingles They give longer service than any other roofing. Cost less to lay. Are rust -proof and do not require painting. Those laid 28 years ago are still giving good service. Send for free book that shows how "Eastlake" shingles make your buildings lightning fire, and weather-proof and why they cost less per year than any other roofing. We Manufacture a complete line of Sheet Metal Building Material TR METALLIC ROOFING CO., Limited 3 Manufacturers 797 Notre Deme Ave., WINNIPEG KisgaadDaIkrinStp„ TORONTO On the Fare 'Keep Sheep Out of the 'Rain, A few days afro, while returnrag• from our 'home town, 1,was struck by the.sad and forsaken appearance of a flock of sheep subjected to a beating rain, writes Mr. E, Hender- son. Their backs were humped up,. their heads dropping and the gen- eral appearance ,gave the impres- sion that they were the victims of a careless and thoughtless farmer. It is true.that the fleece of a sheep is quite long and" dense and in an ordinary rain it is quite 'im- probable that the fleece should be- come thoroughly saturated, but it is also true that all rains are not ordinary ones, and we can never tell just when one of these beating, driving rain's will come to cause misery to the _ery es and loss to the farm'er's pocketbook. It is at once apparent that the wet ewe is -=not one to do the (best for her owner. As long as she is soaked she will not graze, or if she does it will be only enough to fur- nish the actual needs of the body. This is not enough. The breeding ewe should secure more feed than maintenance requires if she is to do well for her owner,—she must be continually gainiyg in flesh. Probably the greatest damage re- sulting to a ewe on account of a rain is the discomfort that .follows the wetting. Think how unpleas- ant it is to work in wet clothes! How much worse it is, therefore, for the ewe who is naturally of a tender nature, to undergo the dis- comfort resulting from carrying around a damp fleece. In the sum- mer time when it is warm it is bad enough, but in the winter it is aw- ful. The fleece, being very dense, it is days before the water will en- tirely evaporate. Then the greatest amount of evaporation is caused by the heat of the animals body. Just try -to think of the heat ne- cessary to evaporate the large amount of water that a thoroughly saturated fleece would hold. Many sheep, have caught colds from this very cause that resulted in inflam- mation, even 'nurse, catarrh. Rheumatism is often one of the results and a sheep once the victim of this disease is of very little value. What, then, is the remedy l It is simple. Provide your sheep with dry shelter close to their pasture. It need not be a. costly barn A shed is plenty good enough provid- ed it is 'watertight, and it need not be especially warm if it is only dry. Care of the Brood Sow. As the breeding season ap- proaches it is necessary to have the sows in the best of condition. Ani- mals intended for breeding pur- poses should be matured, not fat- tened; if immature animals are to be used at all, they should be at least eight .months old before being bred. During pregnancy, sows should have .abundant exercise and a var- iety of feed. During the winter months, unless extra care be taken, brood sows are particularly liable to lie in their quarters and become inactive. Effort should be shade to .induce them to exercise. This may be accomplished by having 'them travel around the barnyard for feed, or by housing them some dis- tance from their feeding place, or by making thele root for grain'scat- tered under litter on a barn or shed floor. They should riot be given ton much of any kindof feed. If exces- sively fed, corn is particularly ob- jectionable. n What Paint Will Do. Too many farmers have the habil, of putting off the painting until .00, house. fairly screams for it—and they perhaps figure that they are economizing. Not so. Good pa.', t> applied at regular intervals not too far apart, is the true economy in that is not only actually raises the value of a building by improved ap- pearance, but through preservative ingredients nreve,tts and arrests decay. The anan who lets his house become an eyesore in an otherwise well -kept locality should be taxed for the heavy damage he is doing to that comnmunity. ''Darling,'.' whispered the ardent ,suitor, "I lay my' fortune at your feet." "Your fortune 1" she replied in surprise; "I didn't know you had one." "'Well, it isn't much of a :Fortune, !butt it wilt look large beside those tiny feel,"