The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1874-03-18

what was made off of him would not start sn.
was easy to see he was advancing rapidly II
that direction. Courteous and handsome
with an unmblemished character, and repu
tation for superior business tact, it was no
difficult for him to gain an Safrse into TIN
first circle, and at the expiration of sixteel
more years, his ambitious dreams wer'
realized for in addition to his extensiv,
business, he had an elegant wife, splendie
residence, and two charming children. Hi
good fortune was owing in some degree to hi
marrying lady of wealth and position.
lie had one brother whom he had CAREFUL,
trained in the business, and who was now hi.
Junior partner. 1t was his desire that thi.
brother should make an equally advantageou,
marriage, and as really eligible material with
out some drawback, was scarce in Brookdel
it was source of some anxiety to him.
Horace Elgin's idea of marriage it would
be difficult to define. Eversnce his boyhood
he had cherished day dreams of a beautiful
peerless wife, whose money should raise him
to the most distinguished circle of society,
and whose diamonds would be the envy of the
same--for Horace considered diamonds the
climax of fortunes gifts.
But somehow, when the dreams of night
drew fairy curtains about him, the sweet
faces of Ethel Linwood, the playmate of his
boyhood years, would peer through them,
and the wealth of SOUL and the ornament of a
truthful spirit that was hers, worked a spell
he could not resist. She was an only child
and lived with her widowed mother in II cot
tage at no great distance from the Elgin
mansion.
She did not quite reach Mrs. Salome
Elgin's idea of a sister, but as DR.. Linwood
had belonged to distinguished family, and it
was well established fact that the cottage,
with its beautiful surroundings, belonged to
Ethel, she concluded to let matters rest for
the present.
The advent of the Peytons aroused the old
feelings in Horaces heart. The CLEAN of
gold seemed to nestle in their trailing silks as
they swept up the aisle on Sabbath and the
wonderfully beautiful face of Meta Peyton was
his realization of fairy bride. He often
caught her blue eyes fixed upon him with an
appealing look, as though seeking sympathy
and protection.
Sometimes the sisters would be lingering
near the entrance gate which he daily passed
and repasscd. The eldest always kept her
naughty face avertcd, but Meta would steal
timid, hasty chances.
Their total seclusion, however, prevented
any chance of his making their acquaintance
meanwhile his attentions to Ethel increased
until gossip declared it would be a match
There was one among Ethel's admirers
who heard this with the deepest pain. Ernest
Aubery, like Horace, had known Ethel from
childhood but unlike him he had no posses
sons with which to recommend himself to hel
favor Without wealth. he was striving tc
make his way in his profession, supporting
the while his aged grandparents. He never
mentioned his aspirations to them, but tocd
patiently yet dreaming of coming time when
he should walk the far-famed galleries of the
Vatican, and copy from the masterpiece there.
To Ethel he had always confided his hopes
and desires, and she encouraged him to be-
lieve that they would one day be realized
IIiu Ittcly ulS MIN Illdb Wlbil-
out her to share his honors, they would be
empty and vacant.
One evening Horace sat by the desk, his
fingers wandering idly through his curling
locks, and his eyes fixed in thought upon the
distant hills, where the golden clouds were
few customers We're i'll the store, the clerks
had gone to their supper, and only one little
errand=boy fingered in the back part of the
building. Ethel had gone to visit friend in
the neighbdring CITY, 1t was of her he was
thinking, III connection with something his
sister had told him that day at dinner-some
gossip concerning their prospective marriage.
'It is time ! decided one way or the
other, he thought. ~ love Ethel; there is
no denying that, and do not think ! should
be refused. If she only had little more
money, and style, aud that sort Of thing, to
make people envious. She is just the kind of
wife l want at home but she creates no sensa-
tion.o
Then his mind wandered back over a long
train of delightful evenings spent with her
her exquisite songs, her sensible, entertaining,
yet piquant conversation, the grace of her
movements, the tasteful beauty of her dress,
all combined, to fill his heart with a tender
feeling, and he repeated, "If she only had a
little more style!
But d'importe, when she returns.''
His final thought was checked in its utter.
ahce by the sound Of footsteps and voice
full of soft melody saying, "Will you please
wait upon me, Mr.. Elgin." lie turned quick.
ly, to behold the beautiful face of Meta Pcy-
ton.
He dropped his pen, and bowling gracefully,
said,-
"What can get for you, Miss Peyton 30
Pushing paper toward him with her slen.
der jeweled fingers she replied, You will
find it there"
Willie Horace was weighing the articles
she volunteered the information, that Cor
nelius, their serving man, had gone to visit q
sick relation.
Human lives have some very abrupt turn