<h2><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_158" id="Page_158"></SPAN></span><SPAN name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></SPAN>CHAPTER XIV.<br/> <span class="caption">A HAPPY PROSPECT.</span></h2>
<p class="newsection"><span class="firstword"><span class="dropcap">T</span>he</span> landscape is lovely in these latter days of
August. The mountains are grand and solemn
in their everlasting silence. We are together
at the Fairview, and everybody feels free and
happy. There is no restraint, and our future prospects
are delightful. Before George left home in
June he had made application for a vacant chair
in the Medical College and presented his credentials
and testimonials. He expected nothing from
it, he said, but would leave me to look out and
see what decision was made. I had brought with
me the news of his appointment. I had also secured
for him the refusal of an elegant house which
had been suddenly vacated and offered for sale on
account of the failure in business of its owner. It
was very near our cottage, had lovely surroundings,
was beautifully furnished, and was to be
<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_159" id="Page_159"></SPAN></span>sold with all its contents. It has now been decided
between George and Mr. Desmond that it
shall be purchased at once, and shall become the
legal possession of Clara, being paid for out of
her ample fortune, now under her own control,
but not yet taken from her uncle’s keeping.</p>
<p>Mr. and Mrs. Desmond will take possession of
the city mansion, and I have no doubt that its
state and elegance will be fully kept up. I see
before me happy times for us all, and at last I
think we understand and appreciate each other.
Our relations being properly and happily adjusted,
there will be no more “unpleasantness.” And I
must acknowledge that, in spite of past feelings
and the little clouds that have flecked our sky,
sometimes appearing dark and portentous, these
happy results are due in no small measure to
<span class="smcap">My Mother-in-Law</span>.</p>
<p class="end"><span class="smcap">The End</span>.</p>
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