THE LAKE OF PHANTOMS.
When old William Clinton died, the neighbors grew anxious
to know which of his two sons would step into his father's
large estate and become the patron and benefactor of his large
circle of friends and neighbors. The old gentleman was widely
known and highly esteemed by people far and near. His sudden
demise had cast a deep gloom over all, and a doubt rested on the
minds of many whether either of his sons would be successful in
holding the reins of the estate.
The older son, James, gave promise of becoming more like
his father, yet he was in many characteristics decidedly different.
He inherited from his mother a kind, mild disposition and a
forgiving spirit, which was in striking contrast with the father.
He also possessed an air of indifference toward things which irri
tated and vexed others. No matter what happened, even if it were
what others would call a calamity, James would always say, “Oh,
well, everything will be right in the end, so don’t worry.”
This optimistic way of looking at life endeared him to those
with whom he came in daily contact, and they naturally hailed
him as his father’s successor.
Yet with all this mild, unassuming manner, he was not his
father’s favorite. He was not the son to whom the father looked
with pride to uphold the dignity of the Clintons and make the
illustrious old family prominent in the future.
Everyone in the county of Lincolnshire knew of the popularity
of the Clintons, and the important government positions which
they had held. The walls of Clinton Hall beamed with the por
traits of the Clinton ancestors who had won laurels either upon the
field or upon the stage, and the work of whose pen was as last
ing as the strokes of their sword were destructive.
By some of the portraits one might see .some of the symbols
which represented the greatness of- that personage in life. Be-
The Lake of Phantoms.
Chapter I.