Newspaper Page Text
CHAPTER II.—(CoxTtMTTSD.* She had kept her heart alive upon nothing else for eight years—dreams of home, and love, and appreciation; of liberty to speak out what she had never lisped since her mother diejl, and Of being once again, joyously and with out reserve, herself. There are no harder specters to lay than these same dreama. Memories, however dear and sacred, are more easily forgotten or dismissed, or smothered by the growth of later ones. If she bade them fare well now, it was for a lifetime. “A lifetime!” she repeated, shivering with a sick chill, and crouching lower over the register. "Maybe ten, maybe twenty—who knows but forty years? It is a tedious elumber of one's heart, and a loveless marriage is a loathsome sep ulcher for one’s better and real self. A lifetime! and I can have but one! But one! If this step should be ruin and misery, there can be no redemption this side of the grave. His grave, per haps—just as probably mine!” To-night, this very hour, she must resist the glittering temptation to fore swear her womanhood, or murder, with her own hand, the dear visions that had come to be more to her than reality. The winter twilight had fallen early. It was the season best loved by her dream visitors. She had not lied in declaring |o her inquisitor that she had never been in love, but she confessed that she had equivocated as the shadowy figure of her Ideal lover stood beside her in the friendly gloom. Mrs. Romaine would have questioned her sanity had she Kuessed how the girl had sobbed her griefs into quiet upon his bosom, how talked lowly but audibly to him of her love and the comfort his presence brought. She had never looked into his face, but she should know him in an instant should they two ever meet In the flesh, as they did now daily in spirit. Somewhere in the dim and blessed future he was waiting for her, and she had borrowed patience from the hope. She was to be his wife —the mother of children as unlike the prodi gies of repression that lined two sides t>f her brother’s table as cherubs to puppets. She welcomed them to her arms in these twilight trances. They lolled Upon her knees, slept in her em brace, strained eager arms about her neck, dappled her cheek with their kisses. Unsubstantial nnsscssinns these, but cherished as types of good things to come. Other women had such riches—women with faces less fair and affections less ardent than hers. If the Great Father was good and merci ful, and the Rewarder of them who put their trust in Him, a true and loving parent, who rejoiced in the happiness of His creatures—all these must be bers at last. If she resigned them now it was a final separation. "And I can have but one lifetime,” she moaned again. Thwarted and fruit less thus far, but still all she had. The one idea recurred to her with the persistency of a presentiment. The life which God had given, the heart He had endowed! "If some one, stronger and wiser than I, would only take the responsibility of decision from my soul, would hedge me In on the right and left, I would go forward. As it is, I dare not! I dare not!" She sobbed and wrung her hands in the agonies of irresolution. "You told Constance about the tele fram?" It was her brother speaking in the library below. The sound arose plainly through the open register. “I did. But I regret to say that she is not yet in the frame of mind we could wish her to carry to the interview with Mr. Withers,” said Mrs. Romaine. She always expressed herself with delib erate precision even in conjugal tete a-tete. 1 "No?" Constance heard the rustle of the evening paper as Charlee laid it down, and the creak of his chair as he confronted his wife. “What is the mat ter?" I* "Some overstrained ideas of the beau ty and propriety of reciprocal devotion, t believe. She looks for a hero In a and Mr. Withers has nothing ( hetoic in his appearance or composi tion." | "He is worth more than half a mil lion, all accumulated by bis own tal ents and Industry,” returned Mr. Ro maine. "Constance cannot be such an egregious simpleton as not to perceive the manifest advantages of this connec tion to her. I have never complained of the burden of her maintenance, but I have often wondered her own sense of (utrtice and expediency did Lot urge her to put forth some effort at self-sup port. There is but one way in which the can do this. She is not sufficiently thorough in any branch of literature, lor any accomplishment, to become a Itucceesful teacher. In the event of my Meath or failure in business she would ■be driven to the humiliating resource *>f taking in sawing for a livelihood, or 1 *•-' BARTERED .LIFf MARION HARLANDXffi INTERNATIONAL PRESS ASSOCIATION to seek the more degrading position of a saleswoman in a store. Her future has been a source of much and anxious thought with me. This marriage would, I hoped, quiet my apprehen sions by settling her handsomely in life. If she refuses Withers I shall be both angry and disappointed. She is old enough to leave off school-girl sen timentality.” The listener put out her foot and shut the register noiselessly. She bad had a surfeit of disagreeable truth for that time. Yet it was truth, every word of it. She was a mean-spirited hanger-on to her brother. She was incapable of earning a livelihood by other means than those he had named. Her mode of life from her infancy had unfitted her for toil and privation, such as must be hers were her plain-spoken benefac tor to die to-morrow. Nor had she the moral nerve to defy public opinion, to debar herself from accustomed associa tions and pleasures by entering the ranks of paid laborers. Hesitation was at an end. The wish that had been al most a prayer in solemn sincerity was answered fearfully soon, and she would offer no appeal. Her destiny w*as taken out of her hands. There was no more responsibility, no more strug gling. Hedges to the right and to the left bristled w’ith thorns, sharp and thick as porcupine quills. But one path lay open to her feet —a short and straight course that conducted her to Elnathan Withers’ arms. CHAPTER 111. Tw/ AkF past five! I £v-jl: have dinner ready at six. We shall be I ust in said Withers, as he j * took his seat in the carriage that wae t 0 convey him with his bride from the depot to their home. Constance was jaded by her fort night’s travel, and dispirited almost be yond her power of concealment, but she had learned already that her lord dis liked to have whatever observation he was pleased to make go unanswered. “She is your housekeeper, I suppose?” she replied, languidly. "No—that is—doM not occupy lhe position of a salaried inferior in my establishment. I must surely have spoken to you of my cousin, Harriet Field.” ’ Not that I recollect. I am sure that I never heard the name until now.” "Her mother,” continued Mr. With ers, in a pompous narrative tone, "was my father’s sister. Left a widow ten years prior to her decease, she accept ed my invitation to take charge of my house. She brought with her only child, the Harriet of whom I speak, and the two remained with me until our family group was broken in upon by death. Harriet would then have sought a situation as governess but for my objections. She is a woman of thirty-five, or thereabouts, and I pre vailed over her scruples touching the propriety of her continued residence under my roof, by representing that her mature age, even more than our relationship, placed her beyond the reach of scandal. For eighteen months she has superintended my domestic af fairs to my entire satisfaction. That I have not alluded directly to her before during our acquaintanceship is only to be accounted for by the circumstance that we have had so many other and more engrossing topics of conversa tion.” He raised her gloved hand to his lips In stiff gallantry, and Constance smiled constrainedly in reply. His endearments, albeit he was less profuse of them than a younger and more ardent bridegroom would have been, were yet frequent enough to keep his wife in unfailing remembrance of his claims and her duties. He was, ap parently, content with har passive sub mission to those, seemed to see in her forced complaisance evidence of her pleasure in their reception. He was too sedate, as well as too gentlemanly, to be openly conceited, but his apprecia tion of his own importance in society and in business circles was too pro found to admit a doubt of the supreme bliss of the woman he had selected to share his elevated position. Without being puppyish, he was pragmatical; without being ill-tempered, he was te nacious in the extreme of his dignity and the respect he considered due to thia. Had her mood been lighter Con stance would have been tempted to smile at the allusion to his cousin’s age, his own exceeding it by three years, as she had accidentally learned through the indiscretion of a common acquaint ance. He was sensitive upon this point she had likewise been informed. She had yet to discover upon how many others. I Most young wives woull not have relished the idea of finding this inval uable relative installed as prime man ager in her new abode. It i altered lit tle to her, Constance said, s ill languid ly, who ruled and who obeyed. She had given up so much within three months past that resignation had be come a habit; sacrifice was no longer an effort. Having nothing to hope tor, she could sustain no further los3. How long this nightmare of apathy would continue was a question that di.l noi present Itself in her gray musings. Having once conquered Nature, and held Inclination under the heel of Re solve, until life seemed extinct, she an ticipated no resurrection. She did noi know that no single battle, however long and bloody, constitutes a cam paign; that length of days and many sorrows are needed to rob youth of elasticity; that the guest who lingers longest in the human heart, clinging to the shattered shelter from which all other joys have flown, is Hope. It is doubtful if she thought with any dis tinctness at this period. She was cer tainly less actively miserable than in that which Immediately preceded her engagement. That was .imputation; this, reactionary weariness. How she would fare by and by, when the wound had become a scar, she thought of least of all. It was* a handsome carriage In which she rode at the master’s right hand. A pair of fine horses pranccs before it, and a liveried coachman sat on the box. She had sometimes envied other women the possession of like state. She ought to derive del ght from these outward symbols of her ele vation in the world. It was an impos ing mansion, too, before which the equipage presently paused, and a tall footman opened the front door and ran briskly down to the sidewalk to assist the travelers in alighting. None of her associates, married or single, lived in equal style, she reflected with a stli of exultation, as she stepped out, be tween her husband and his lackey. Mr. Withers’ address dampened tee rising glow. “This is our home, my dear. You wil’ find no cause of discontent with it, I hope," he said, in benign patronage, handing her up the noble flight of stone steps. "Thank you,” she replied, coldly. “It is a part of the price for which I sold myself,” she was meditating. "I must not quarrel with my bargain.” Miss Field met them in the hall—a wasp-like figure, surmounted by a small head. Her neck w’as bare and crane-like; her face very oval, her skin opaque and chalky; her hair black and shining, the front in long ringlets; her eyes jet heade, that rolled and twin kled incessantly. “My dear cousin!” she cried, effusive ly embracing her patron’s hand and winking back an officious tear. “It is like sunshine to have you home again. How are you?” "Well—thank you, Harriet; or, I should say, in tolerable health,” re turned Mr. Withers, magnificently con descending. "Allow me to introduce my wife, Mrs. Withers!" Miss Field swept a flourishing cour tesy. Constance, as the truer lady of the two, offered her hand. It was grasped very slightly, and instantly re linquished. "Charmed to have the honor, I am sure!’\jnurmured Miss Field. "I trust I see Mrs. Withers quite well? But you, cousin—did I understand you to intimate that you were indisposed?" with strained solicitude. "A trifling attack of indigestion, not worth mentioning to any ears except ing yours, my good nurse.” Miss Field smiled indulgence in this concession to her anxiety, and Con stance, who now heard of the “indis position” for the first time, looked from one to the other in surprised si lence. “Perhaps Mrs. Withers would like to go directly to her apartments?” pure sued Harriet, primly, with another courtesy. By all means,” Mr. W’ithers replied for her. "As it is, I fear your dinner will have to wait for her, if, as 1 pre sume is the case, you are punctual as is your custom.” “Could I fail in promptitude upon this day of all others?” queried Har riet, sentimentally arch, and preceded the bride upstairs. (TO BB CONTIXUBD.) Before and After. "Do you really think he knows very much?” “My dear, sir; he knows as much as the average politician thinks he knows.” “As much as he thinks he knows before or after the nomination?" The Fmlihlng Touches. Husband (to wife in full evening dress) —“My stars! Is that all you are going to wear?” Wife (calmly)— All, except the flow, ere. Which of these clusters would you select?” Husband (resignedly)—“The big- gict.” - • C , .- - • . J POLAR WHEAT. Some Dealer* Predict That This W HI Be the Price. Washington, .lune 10. There was considerable excitement at the Balti more chamber of commerce because of the 2-cent advance in wheat, fallow ing an advance of 1 cent on Wednes day, and many dealers were predict ing dollar wheat before the summer is over. Henry A. Wroth, statistician for the Baltimore chamber, sums up the opinion of that city in the follow ing Interview: “Dry weather in the three prlncip.il spiiug wheat states. Minnesota and the two Dakotas, mak ing their wheat production very prob lematical. is the immediate cause of tile advance. While states such as •Kansas, Missouri, Texas ami Cali fornia are likely to have large crojw. such important wheat states as Ohio. Indiana, Illinois and Michigan will have short crops. Every other com modity lias advanced in price any where from 25 to 50 per cent, and a rise in wheat is not illogical. The out look for the crop in Eure pc is poor. ’ GLAD TO SKE DEW EY. Detroit Given the Admiral a Warm Welcome. Detroit, Mich., June 10.—The spon taneity and cordiality of the welcome accorded to Admiral Dewey yesterday afternoon and last night by the peo ple of Detroit has seldom been equalled in any reception accorded a popular idol in this city. In the after noon the masses paid him vociferous tributes; last night society did like wise in manner more jmlite but not less enthusiastic. The earlier half of the day was rainy, but just previous to the arrival of the Dewey special train at 2 p. m„ the weather became clear and cool. The admiral’s train was met at Wyandotte by the officers and directors of Fellowcraft club, whose guest he was for the day, and Mayor Maybury and a few personal friends of the Deweys. Quick Work by Sharkey. New York, June 10. Tom Sharkey easily defeated Yank Kenny in the first round of what was to have been a twenty-five-round bout before the Broadway Athletic club last night. Sharkey took the aggressive from the start and drove his antagonist all over the ring and finally ended the battle with a right-hand smash on the jaw which put the big fellow down and out. Before the men entered the ring even money was offered that Kenny would stay five rounds. Cuban Teachert ComiiiK. Washington, June 10.—The quarter master general lias completed arrange ments for the transportation to the United States of 1,483 Cuban school teachers, who have decided to take advantage of the summer course of free tuition offered them by Harvard university. This course will last from July 1 to Septemlier, when the teach ers will Is* sent by the war department to their homes. Five of the big trans ports have been set apart for this pur pose. Victims of L>l*clitninir. Berlin. June 10.—The recent heavy thunderstorms in various parts of Germany have done considerable damage, especially along the Upper Rhine, where lightning killed a num ber of persons. The vineyards in that district have been damaged. Re l»orts of a like character have been received from the district of Bruns wick and Plauen, whereby a number of lives have been lost. China Must Pay. Vienna, June 10.—Indemnity claims to a very large amount have already been filed by the European ministers at Peking with the tsung II yamun. The Belgian minister claims 25,000,000 francs. As regards the grouping of the Powers at Peking it is remarked here that the United States goer with Great Britain and France goes with Russia. Germany and Japan maintain strict reserve. Inaugural Ball at Frankfort. Frankfort, Ky., June 10.—The inau gural ball, which was postponed on account of the death of Gov. Goebel and subsequent political complications, took place last night and was attend ed by several hundred society people from this and other states. Gov. Beckham led the march, while Mrs. Beckham, mother of the governor, and other prominent ladles assisted in re ceiving. City to Own Lighting Plant. River Falls. Wls., June 10—At a spe cial election here yesterday the city voted, without material opposition, bonds to build an electric plant for public and commercial lighting, the falls of the Kinnieklnnlc to be used to generate the power for this purpose and to pump city water. Red River Valley Old Settlers. Park River, N. D., June 10. The annual meeting of the Red River Val ley Old Settlers’ association will be held here June 12 and 13. Settlers In the valley prior to July 1, 1879, are entitled to become members. The rail road rates are one fare and one-third. Barney Moniiran Drowned. Red Lake Falls, Minn., June 10. Barney Mausseau was drowned in Red Lake river at St. Hilaire. He was sorting logs and fell In. His body was found with his hands clutching firn.ly to a pile at the iwittom of the river. Injured tn a Runaway, Mora. Minn., June 10.—In a runa way Mrs. Rutherford, Miss May Ruth erford ami Mrs. Laud Rutherford, wife, daughter and daughter-in-law of M. E. Rutherford, wvr* badly Injured. It is not known i£ any arc fatally In jured, Land Misapplied. H< man—Ah, what a fine stretdh af land over there! r Niblack-* Beautiful! But what shame to put it under cultivation' i 7 would make such an ideal golf links'— Boston Transcript. Revolution in AXater Travel. Experiments have proven that ves sels, fitted with propellers which lm’- tate the fish’s tin. develop? remarkable jmwer It will cause a revolution in water travel. Men gradually learn that Nature’s ways are best. o ne cause of the remarkable success of Hostetter's Stomach Bitters is the fact that It is a sure cure for constipa tion, indigestion, dyspepsia ami bilious ness. Plainly Impossible. Young Mr. Spoonamore (who has just been accepted)—But what will your father say. darling? You know he doesn’t like me any too well."’ The Young Woman—Well, you can’t expect me to use the exact language in which papa will express himself when he hears it. —Chicago Tribune. Straight Road To Health Is by the way of purify ing the blood. Germs and impurities in the blood cause disease and sickness. Expelling these impurities removes the disease. Hood’s Sarsaparilla does this and it does more. It makes the blood rich by increasing and vitalizing the red globules and giving it power to trans mit to the organs, nerves and muscles the nutriment contained in digested food. Hood 9 9 Sarsaparilla Is the Best Medicine Money Can Buy. Wasn’t Just Sure. Sir William MeConnae, the president of the Royal College of Surgeons of London, Is at times quite absent-mind ed. He is an indefatigable worker, and often, to save time, when study ing in his laboratory, has a light lunch eon served there. Once his assistant heard him sigh heavily, and, looking up, saw the doctor glaring at two glass receptacles on the table. “What is the matter, doctor?” asked one of the youngsters. “Nothing in particular.” was the re ply, “only I am uncertain whether I drank the bee f tea or that compound I am working on.” —Argonaut. Ar* Ton Using Alien*! Foot-BaanT It is the only cure for Swollen. Smarting, Burning, Sweating Feet, Corns and Bunions. Ask for Allen • Foot-Ease, a powder to be shaken into the shoes. At all Druggists and Shoa Stores, 25c. Sample sent FREE. Ad dress Allen S. Olmsted, N. T. The Farewell. “Good-by,” said the pale, determined man, as his wife flung her arms wildly about his neck and gave way to a tlo id jf weeping. “Do not go into unnecessary dan gers,” she said. “I know you will bo brave and return with honors.” And he was gone. He was not off to war. No; he was a baseball umpire and he was leaving home for the open ing game.—Philadelphia North Ame rican. Ladies Can Wear Shoes. One size smaller after usingAUen’s Foot- Ease, a powder. It makes tight or new shoes easy. Cures swollen, hot, sweating, aching feet, ingrowing nails, corns and bunions. Alldru 'gists and shoe stores, 25c. Trial package FREE by mail. Ad dress Allen 3. Olmsted, Le Roy, N.Y. Many a walking delegate is elected to do the board walk at Atlantic City this summer. Hall’s Catarrh Cure Is taken internally. Price, 75c. When a breezy girl sails by. every man knows that there's something in the wind. Mrs. Winslow’S Soothing Syrup. For children teething, softens the gums, redness tn* lamination, allays pain.cures wind colic. 25c abort la A woman’s hair would soon look sweet if she tried to dress it with a honeycomb. A Book of Choice Recipes Bent free by Walter Baker A Co. Ltd, Dorchester, Mass. Mention this paper. Mother Hubbard dresses ought to be economical; they so seldom get worn jut. The charm of beauty is beautiful hair. Secure it with Pammbb’s Haib Balsam. Himbsboobms. the best cure for corns. ISets. The top manufacturer makes hiun <pun goods. Happiness eannot be bought, but one of tha great hindrances to tta attainment can be re moved by Adams’ Pepsin Tutti Fruttl Eggs neve- get beaten because they are lutd. ALUMINUM BOOK MARK FRJCEt—Our nov- elties sell on sight; profit large; agents wanted everywhere Ewald Novelty Works. Book Doi t., Eau Claire. Wls. A money drawer—the dentist’s for ceps. ■■■ CLAIfIANTS FOR PENSION write to NATHAN rRIIOIVH Hr BI( KFOKI), Washington, I». C.. tVgJP " ■ will raoeire quick replies. B.bth N. H. VviA. Man 20th Corns. Prosecuting Claims since iSyB. S. D. W. V. —No. S 4. im (S BartCouchttyrup. tt fwU <kCi Uaagi ’ w first is n sibl' est. mu ha? pre dr 8 ag coi Sp th’ an Hi m